Beaver Lake is widely recognized as an outstanding fishing resource. The striper fishery deserves special mention as one of the nation's finest with a potential to produce record fish in the 50-pound category. Largemouth, spotted and a new smallmouth fishery add to the reputation of this Ozarks resource.

Size and Depth

28,220 acres with an average depth of about 59 feet. Maximum depth of 204 feet occurs near the dam.

Shoreline

The 449 miles of highly irregular shoreline are composed mostly of broken limestone (chunk rock) and gravel. Bedrock occurs along cliff areas. Clay and silt are present in the upper White River and the upper ends of the creeks. Within Clifty and North Clifty creeks, the bedrock has eroded into scenic and unique vertical formations, and some waterfalls are present. The entire shore is publicly owned and managed by the Corps of Engineers. Development is limited to the recreational areas and a few private docks.

Bottom

About 60 to 70 percent gravel and cobble-sized rock. Large (house-size) boulders can be found along bluff areas. Mixtures of sand and silt are present in the backs of coves and in the upper reaches of the creeks. Mud is present on the flat areas in coves.Hardwood and cedar trees were left standing in many coves and along steep areas. They were left along the White River where they are at least 40 feet deep. Only portions of old roads remain, but many building foundations can be found. The village of Monte Ne was inundated, and some of the buildings are visible at and above the surface.

Water

The lake can be divided into three major sections. From the dam to about Point 6, the water is moderately infertile and clear. From Point 6 to the Highway 12 bridge, it is moderately fertile and clear with a brown to green color. Within the White River, upstream from the Highway 12 bridge, the water becomes fertile and brown in color. The three-part separation is due largely to a lengthy water exchange rate, averaging 11/2 years. A thermocline forms in late summer that ranges from 20 to 30 feet deep. In the coves, dissolved oxygen can become depleted below the thermocline. However, there is sufficient oxygen below the thermocline within the lake to create a thermal refuge for striped bass. Secchi disk readings, a measure of transparency, reach maximums of 18 to 20 feet in the lower lake, 12 to 15 feet in the middle section and 4 to 10 feet above Highway 12 Bridge.