Editor’s note: This is the second article in an ongoing series on small lakes in central Kentucky.
Beaver Lake is a 146-acre lake impounded from Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Chaplin River in the Salt River basin.
From Lawrenceburg take U.S. 62 W for seven miles, then turn right on Beaver Lake Road (Ky. 749).
The Anderson County lake, owned by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), opened to public fishing in 1964.
Beaver Lake is one of seven small lakes in central Kentucky with lakefront residential housing on private lands that share a boundary with KDFWR-owned lands.
Private landowners must get a permit to construct a floating or fixed boat dock to moor a boat on KDFWR property, and a metal boat dock tag, provided by KDFWR, must be permanently affixed to the boat dock so that it is visible from the lake.
Fish Species / Special Fishing Regulations
Bluegill: Statewide regulations apply. The fishery is rated good. There are very good numbers of 6 to 8-inch fish, with larger fish present.
Channel Catfish: There’s a 12-inch minimum size limit for all catfish species. The fishery is rated good. Fish over 15 inches are common. 3,700 channel catfish are scheduled to be stocked in 2022.
Crappie: Statewide regulations apply. The fishery is rated fair/good. It’s a small population, with a majority of fish between eight and 10 inches, with larger fish possible.
Largemouth Bass: Statewide regulations apply. The fishery is rated good, with vast improvement in recent years. A majority of the fish are in the eight to 13-inch size range, but there are increasing numbers of fish over 15 inches, and fish over 20 inches are present.
Redear Sunfish: Statewide regulations apply. The fishery is rated good. There are good numbers of eight to nine-inch fish available, with 10 to 11-inch fish possible. Overall, numbers are down due to the significant reduction of aquatic vegetation in lake.
Possession or use of live shad for bait is prohibited. Idle speed only on boats with over 10 horsepower motors. There is a large fishing pier.
Recent Fish Stocking
In 2018, 3,700 channel catfish, and 47,000 redear sunfish were stocked.
In 2019, 48,700 redear sunfish were stocked.
In 2020, 3,700 channel catfish, and 31,600 redear sunfish were stocked.
In 2021, 31,600 redear sunfish were stocked.
Fish Attractors
Brush piles, rock piles, pallet stacks, Christmas trees and PVC structures have been placed throughout the lake. An online fish attractor map offers location detail.
Boating Access
There is a paved boat ramp for any light trailerable recreational boat and a paved parking lot. There is no fee to launch.
Beaver Lake is an intensely managed lake offering good fishing opportunities.
There are ongoing habitat improvement projects, annual fish stockings, and other beneficial management practices. This includes the removal of largemouth bass under the minimum size limit to reduce crowding and improve growth rates and stocking these fish in lakes that need small bass to offset below-normal reproduction in a given year. It’s a management practice used by KDFWR fishery biologists since 2011.
With good fishing, and excellent facilities, including a large fishing pier, it’s no surprise that the lake is a popular angling destination for anglers of all skill levels.
