Draft:Beech Lake

Beech Lake is located in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada. It lies north of Carnarvon along Highway 118 in the township of Algonquin Highlands.

Geography and Hydrology

Beech Lake is part of a chain of five small lakes between Eagle Lake to the east and Boshkung Lake to the west, connected by short stretches of the Gull River flowing east to west. The lake has a surface area of 124 hectares (306 acres), a maximum depth of 26 meters (85 ft), and an elevation of 335 meters (1099 ft) above sea level. Its local name is Sawamishi Lake, derived from the Anishnaabeg (Algonquin) name for the lake.

History

The earliest known inhabitants of the Beech Lake area were First Nations peoples who traveled, traded, fished, and hunted using the lakes and rivers in the region. The first European settlers arrived in the mid-19th century with the extension of the Bobcaygeon and Peterson Roads. Early pioneers included Jane Grey Sisson, William Cameron, Jacob Ferguson, Alfred Moore, John Peck, and James Fitzsimmonds.

In 1863, James Ferguson purchased land on the Beech River between Beech and Boshkung Lakes and built a sawmill. Neddie Sisson and his wife Anne Wyatt ran a post office from their log cabin on the south side of the lake in the late 1800s. The first Stanhope Council Chambers was built on Dominion Road at the west end of Beech Lake in 1910 and also served as a dance hall.

Recreation and Cottages

Beech Lake is a popular destination for cottagers and outdoor recreation. There are over 150 shorefront properties on the lake, as well as back lots. Public access is available via a township-maintained boat launch on North Shore Road at the east end.

The lake is known for excellent fishing, with major species including lake trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, whitefish, muskellunge, and perch. Other recreational activities include swimming, boating, and watersports. Several resorts and cottage rentals are available on Beech Lake.