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Beaver Dam State Park is an Illinois state park southwest of Carlinville, Illinois, that offers a variety of recreational activities. The park centers around the 59-acre Beaver Dam Lake, an artificial reservoir created by a private Carlinville fishing club in the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, hiking, and camping. In the past, the park offered small watercraft rentals, including paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes, but as of 2024, the concessions are closed. The lake has a boat ramp for public access, and only trolling motors are permitted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paddle boat rentals | Handled by the Beaver Dam Café, but the concession is closed indefinitely due to a lack of concessionaire |
| Location | Carlinville, Illinois |
| Lake size | 56.6 acres with a shoreline length of 1.7 miles and a maximum depth of 10 feet |
| Lake type | Artificial reservoir |
| Fishing | Well-known fishing spot with bass, bluegill, channel catfish, sunfish, and rainbow trout |
| Hunting | Deer, wild turkey, and small game |
| Power limit for boats | No gasoline-powered motors allowed |
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What You'll Learn
Paddle boat rentals are handled by the Beaver Dam Café
Paddle boat rentals at Beaver Dam State Park are handled by the Beaver Dam Café. The café is currently closed indefinitely due to a lack of concessionaires. In addition to paddle boats, the Beaver Dam Café also rents out boats, kayaks, and canoes. The lake has a no-gasoline-engines rule, so only electric trolling motors are allowed.
Beaver Dam State Park is an Illinois state park on 750 acres in Macoupin County, Illinois. The park is 7 miles southwest of Carlinville and is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as a public place for fishing. The state park centers on the 59-acre Beaver Dam Lake, an artificial reservoir created by a private Carlinville fishing club in the 1890s. The club later became a private resort that catered to visitors arriving via the adjacent Chicago and Alton Railroad. During the Great Depression, the resort failed, and the state of Illinois purchased the lake and adjacent property in 1947. Additional land purchases have created the present-day Beaver Dam State Park.
The IDNR manages Beaver Dam Lake for the fishing of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and sunfish. In addition, the park offers opportunities for the hunting of deer, wild turkey, and small game. The lake became a well-known fishing spot when, in the early 1890s, 18 men from the Carlinville area formed a Beaver Dam Lake Club. They spent $2,500 to build a dam at each end of the lake and double the water depth. For several years, the club held summer and fall picnics at the lake, and their families enjoyed fishing and boating throughout the season.
The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, picnicking, hiking, and both tent and trailer camping. The park once offered a restaurant and small watercraft rentals, but the concessions have been closed for 2024. Beaver Dam offers a nice retreat no matter the time of year. While summer means the option of fishing and boating on the lake, fall is a great time to visit to see the stunning colours of the foliage.
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The café is closed indefinitely
The café at Beaver Dam State Park, Carlinville, Illinois, is closed indefinitely. The Beaver Dam Café handled boat, kayak, and paddleboat rentals, as well as food and drink concessions. Unfortunately, due to a lack of concessionaires, the café has had to close. It is unclear when or if it will reopen.
Beaver Dam State Park offers a range of recreational activities, including fishing, picnicking, hiking, and camping. The park is a popular fishing destination, with the lake being stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. There are also approximately 8 miles of hiking trails within the park, encircling the lake and extending through wooded areas.
The lake at the center of the park was created by a private Carlinville fishing club in the 1890s. The club later became a private resort, but during the Great Depression, it failed. The state of Illinois purchased the lake and adjacent property in 1947, and additional land purchases have since been made to create the present-day Beaver Dam State Park.
While the café and concessions are closed, visitors can still bring their own boats, kayaks, and canoes to the lake. There is a free boat launch and docks available for public use, with a power limit of only electric trolling motors. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful fall colors in mid-to-late October, as well as the variety of wildlife that calls the park home, including deer, foxes, raccoons, and a variety of bird species.
It is important to note that the park is currently without a concessionaire, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring their own food, drinks, and any other necessary supplies for their visit.
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The lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet
Beaver Dam State Park in Illinois offers a range of recreational activities. The park features a 59-acre lake, formed in the 1890s when a private fishing club from Carlinville built a dam at each end, doubling the water depth to a maximum of 10 feet. This lake is now a popular spot for fishing and boating. The lake's depth is a significant factor in its ability to support a diverse range of fish species, making it an attractive destination for anglers.
The lake's maximum depth of 10 feet is a result of the dam construction in the 19th century. The club members spent $2,500 to build two dams, increasing the depth of the original shallow lake, often called "Dry Beaver Lake" as it tended to dry up during the summer months. The lake's depth and size were enhanced, creating a more substantial body of water.
Beaver Dam Lake is an artificial reservoir that serves as the centrepiece of the state park. The lake's 1.7-mile shoreline and maximum depth of 10 feet provide a habitat for various fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. The lake has been stocked with these species over the years, offering excellent fishing opportunities for visitors.
The lake's depth is also significant for boating activities. While the lake allows for boating and paddling, there are specific rules in place. Only electric trolling motors are permitted, and no gasoline engines are allowed. This restriction ensures that the lake's ecosystem remains undisturbed by more powerful motors, preserving the tranquility of the area and the natural habitat of the fish and other wildlife.
The 10-foot maximum depth of Beaver Dam Lake contributes to the overall character and appeal of the lake. It strikes a balance between being shallow enough for safe recreational activities and deep enough to support a healthy fish population, attracting anglers and nature enthusiasts alike. This depth also contributes to the lake's overall beauty, especially during the fall when the surrounding colours reflect on the water's surface, creating a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.
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There is a range of wildlife in the park
Beaver Dam State Park in Illinois offers a range of wildlife and outdoor activities. The park spans 750 acres of land in Macoupin County, about 7 miles southwest of Carlinville. It centres around the 59-acre Beaver Dam Lake, an artificial reservoir created in the 1890s by a private Carlinville fishing club. The lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet and 1.7 miles of shoreline.
The park offers fishing, picnicking, hiking, and camping opportunities. Although beavers are no longer present in the area, the park is named after a beaver dam that originally created the lake. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish.
The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, wild turkey, foxes, raccoons, grey squirrels, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, snakes, frogs, insects, and white squirrels, which are a white colour phase of the grey squirrel. Birdwatchers can also spot bluebirds, orioles, finches, cardinals, titmice, nuthatches, and chickadees.
The park preserves a portion of the historic oak-hickory forests that line upper Macoupin Creek. The combination of upland and bottomland woods, farmland, open fields, a lake, and a marsh provide a habitat for a variety of animals and birds. Visitors can enjoy approximately 8 miles of hiking trails that encircle the lake, pass through the marsh, and extend into the wooded areas.
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The lake is a popular fishing destination
Today, the 59-acre lake is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. The lake has been stocked with a variety of fish species over the years, including largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) manages the lake to ensure a healthy population of these fish species. In addition to these, recent population surveys have found Common Carp, Gizzard Shad, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead in the lake. The lake also receives annual stockings of Rainbow Trout.
Fishing is not the only activity that draws visitors to the lake, however. The lake also offers a boat ramp for public access, with a dock next to it for loading and launching boats, kayaks, and canoes. Only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake, and a free boat launch and docks are available for public use. For those who don't have their own equipment, there is a concession stand offering boat and motor rentals, as well as live bait, tackle, and other supplies.
The lake is surrounded by approximately 8 miles of hiking trails, which wind through the park's wooded areas and past the marsh. These trails offer a quiet escape for walkers, who may catch a glimpse of the diverse wildlife that calls the park home, including deer, foxes, raccoons, grey squirrels, and a variety of birds. With its rich history, abundant fish species, and surrounding natural beauty, it's no wonder that Beaver Dam Lake continues to be a popular fishing destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Paddle boat rentals were previously handled by the Beaver Dam Café, but the concession stand is closed indefinitely due to a lack of concessionaire.
Beaver Dam State Park offers fishing, picnicking, hiking, and tent and trailer camping. The park also has an onsite café and a boat ramp for public access to the lake.
Only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake. Gasoline engines are prohibited.
Beaver Dam Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, channel catfish, common carp, and rainbow trout.
