Branson MO Rental Property Outdoor Recreation

Fun in the Sun on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes

Table Rock lake is the second impoundment of the White river. The Table Rock dam was completed in 1958 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It has a surface area of 43,100 acres at normal pool and 52,300 acres at flood control pool which nearly doubles the capacity while only fluctuating the level by 16ft. Table Rock lake has nearly 750 miles of shoreline at normal pool and more than 850 miles at flood pool. When the lake was constructed trees, structures and even towns were not cleared from the landscape. These attributes lead to some of Table Rocks more prominent activities, fishing and scuba diving. Table rock is host to world class fishing with game fish like black bass, white bass, walleye and crappie being plentiful and large due to the warm and clear waters. Scuba diving enthusiasts can also enjoy the warm clear waters by visiting the "Enchanted Forest" and visiting the submerged town of Oasis, MO. Swim down Main Street Oasis and attend services at the, battered but still standing after forty years of being under water and still a structure, church. If you don't have room to park a boat or store scuba equipment at your Branson MO. rental property there are all kinds of other activities that are available to you on Table Rock lake. Swimming at one of the many beaches is an enjoyable past time. There are also abundant boat rentals, commercial excursions and water sports opportunities that are affordable and located conveniently to you.

The third lake in the White river flood control plan is lake Taneycomo. It was created in 1913 with the completion of the Power Site dam by Empire Electric Company. Until the completion of the Table Rock dam in 1958 the lake was a warm water lake. Once the cold waters of Table Rock started to flow into Taneycomo the temperature dropped to what is now an average of 48 degrees Fahrenheit making the conditions perfect for a new trout fishery. The Missouri state record brown trout record of 28# 12oz. was recorded from lake Taneycomo and there is speculation that there is the potential for a world record trout to emerge from the lake. If you are fishing near the Table Rock dam beware of the warning sirens that sound prior to the release of water for electricity generating purposes. When these sirens sound the water level and flow can increase dramatically very quickly and if you are caught in it you may have a very un-enjoyable ride back to your Branson MO. rental property.While the waters of lake Taneycomo are generally too cold to swim in, the lake does offer ample boating and water sport opportunities.

Another activity on lake Taneycomo, which can also be considered an attraction as more than 250,000 people visit it annually, is the Shepard of the Hills fish Hatchery. The hatchery produced its first trout in 1958 and now produces more than a million catchable trout annually with over 500,000 of those being stocked in lake Taneycomo. The facility has free guided and unguided tours that showcase the entire trout production process. The kids can even help out by feeding the trout in the raceways. The hatchery sits in the shadow of Table Rock dam and if the flood gates are open it doesn't matter if you are a tourist or you live in a Branson MO. rental property the experience is breathtaking.

The fourth and last lake of the White river flood control plan is Bull Shoals. This reservoir was created by the completion of the Bull Shoals dam by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1951. At power pool the lake covers 45,000 acres with 700 miles of shoreline. When the lake is at flood pool it will cover more than 70,000 acres, have more than 1000 miles of shoreline and have fluctuated 50 feet. Bull Shoals is just a little farther away than Table Rock and Taneycomo but still is very accessible and offers the same types of recreation. The lake is perfect for boating, swimming, water sports and fishing all available from the many boat launches, camp grounds and marinas.

If you are going to be fishing on any of the lakes make sure that you bring your fishing license with you. If not, you will want to make sure you go back to your Branson MO. rental property and get it just in case you get checked by a conservation officer. Please make sure that you abide by all of the Missouri hunting and fishing regulations so that future generations can enjoy the natural resources that the Ozark region has to offer.

Make sure you take advantage of the great lakes that are located within minutes of your Branson MO. rental property. Use responsibly and enjoy.