Midwest Fishing Lake Guide, Rat and Beaver Lake State Wildlife Management Area (Rat)

LINGID


Beaver Lake is located approximately 4 miles west of HWY 83, in Cherry County Nebraska. It is adjacent and attached to Rat lake by a natural canal. (This review is used for both pages) Some maps list a small town or development called Conterra as being near by, but it does not exist, has degraded into a single ranch, or has been torn down. The road going back is paved for a distance then degrades into unimproved sand. There are several cattle guards built into the road, and open range grazing is in effect. Please look out for cows and horses on the roadway, and treat then with care and kindness when approaching them. The problem with access to this lake is there is no actual road into the SWMA that we were able to see, other than hiking in on foot from Valentine National Wildlife refuge, or access it through private property. We asked the local landowners and they let hike through on the far west side of the lakes. Remember, always ask permission to enter private land. The lakes are approximately 450 surface acres of water combined, and are excellent fishing. We used a canoe and fished the far shore of the lakes and several weedbeds. The lake produced several pike in the 3 to 6 pound range on crankbaits and large spoons. Yellow perch and bluegill were caught fairly regularly on nightcrawlers. The Nebraska State Game and Parks Commission lists this lake as containing Bullhead, Carp, Pike, and Yellow Perch. There are really no facilities available in this area, and I am unsure whether camping is allowed in the State Wildlife Management Area. Facilities are available nearby at Alkali Lake SWMA, and at Merrit Reservoir SRA.