Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Beaver Dams the Hidden Fishing Jewel

Beaver Dams play an important part in the environment we live in. They add to the fish habitat weather it’s in a lake setting, river or small stream.
 This particular beaver dam is a prime obstacle across the spillway in the upper Legion Lake in Montgomery County Mississippi. Any narrow stretch of fast water in a creek, river, or in this case spillway will attract beavers to set up home.
This beaver dam serves not only as a home for a beaver family, but acts as an aquatic food chain for large and small fish. The smaller fish used the dam as a refuge from the larger fish which are always on the prowl for an easy meal. This particular dam has helped to keep the “Stumpy Side” water level, which is what the locals have named the lake, up during the drier summer months. The stumpy side name is derived from the mass of trees that was in the area when it was flooded years ago. All that is left of the trees today on the lake is the actual stumps sticking above the water surface. Thanks to the beavers for keeping this part of Legion a fishing bonanza for lots of crappie, bluegill and monster largemouth?  
My brother and I actually spotted an Eagle on the Legion Lake road one day last year on our way to fish the upper lake. We felt that the eagle was not there by accident; so my brother did some exploring a couple days later and found three huge nests off the banks of the Lake. We hope the majestic birds show up again this year to replenish those nests.
These are huge nest, which got me to wondering if the eagles use the same nest year after year. After doing a little research I found they do use the same nest under certain circumstances.
 

18 comments:

  1. I love Beaver Dams. Only problem is you really have to sneak up on them. Oh, and watch out for the holes.

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  2. Beavers can and do make for better fishing. I have fished a few in my time. The little devils can cause a great deal of damage. I'm seeing this first hand where I live.

    Seeing eagles in the wild is truly spectacular. Awesome birds.

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  3. Mark
    Holes and sharp sticks---thanks for the comment

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  4. Alan
    Just wondering if you see many dams on some of the trout streams you fish? Thanks for the comment

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  5. +1 for Mark's comment. I don't know if I can do sneaky anymore but they sure used to be fun. Thanks for this Bill.

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  6. The development of beaver dams in a watershed leads to more diversity of wildlife and sometimes to better fishing, though in some cases in the eastern U.S., construction of dams on trout streams that are being stressed by other variables will suffer an increase of thermal pollution, i.e., a rise in temperature that is detrimental to brooks and sometimes brown trout. That usually happens when beaver become too populated and have no natural controls. Thanks for sharing your experiences with this interesting animal.

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  7. Great information on the dams, they provide such a myriad of conditions for life to thrive in the wild for many species. Undervalued.

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  8. It's been awhile since I've seen a beaver dam. Nice info.

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  9. Howard
    Watch out for that beaver tail---thanks for the comment

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  10. River
    I agree beaver dams are a negative for trout--thanks for the comment

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  11. Al
    Beaver dams can provide some fantastic fishing spots, especially for warm water species. Thanks for the comment

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  12. Kevin
    This dam is permanent fixture in this spill way most all the time. thanks for the comment

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  13. Bill, Agreed! Cant say enough about the benefit of the beaver dams, not only for the eco-systems they create but also the opportunity they provide for light gear practice and stealthy approaches! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Hey, Bill, getting here late again, but, I am here commenting. Beaver dams are always intriguing and worthy of a fly fishers challenge. Ever once in awhile you might just find a big ol' Brown in there, too. By the way, last time I fished around a Beaver dam stepped in the soft mud and almost sunk up to my waist. Wasn't sure I was going to make it out.

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  15. Noco
    I agree excellent habitat for some fantastic fishing, weather it is cold water or warm. Thanks for sharing

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  16. Mel
    I've never got that close in on a dam to get the quick sand effect--thanks for the comment

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  17. Love those flowages..beavers are an inspiration to me..

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  18. Pen
    The beaver is a huge plus for the fish!! Thanks for the comment

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