Lake Taneycomo is the cold, trout-filled lake below Table Rock Dam near Branson, Missouri, and Thousand Hills Vacations rents two private lake homes on it. Long Beach Lake Lodge is a 6-bedroom lodge on 6 private acres that sleeps 16, and Shell We Fish is a 3-bedroom, two-level home set above the water that sleeps 8. Both have a private hot tub looking out over the lake.
Both are whole homes, so you get your own kitchen, your own deck and your own hot tub, with Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson 10 to 15 minutes away. Every stay includes a free set of Branson show tickets and golf discounts at Thousand Hills Golf Resort.
The Two Lake Taneycomo Homes Side by Side
The choice between the two comes down to group size and whether you are bringing a dog. Long Beach Lake Lodge is built for reunions and multi-family trips of up to 16 and takes up to two small dogs. Shell We Fish suits smaller groups of up to 8 and is a no-pet home.
| Home | Bedrooms and guests | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Lake Lodge | 6 bedrooms, sleeps 16 | 6 private acres, theater room, path to the shoreline, dogs welcome |
| Shell We Fish | 3 bedrooms, sleeps 8 | Tall lake-view windows, covered hot tub, private arcade, community pool |
Long Beach Lake Lodge on Six Private Acres
Long Beach Lake Lodge sits on 6 private acres along the shore of Lake Taneycomo, with a private path down to the shoreline, where guests can fish. There is no dock. Outside you will find a hot tub overlooking the lake, a large fire pit with seating, a screened back porch, a grill and a big park-like yard with play features for the kids.
The lodge sleeps 16 across six bedrooms, and five of them have a king bed:
- Main floor: three king bedrooms, one with its own bath and deck access, the other two sharing a Jack and Jill bath, plus a queen sleeper sofa
- Mother-in-law suite on the main floor: a king bedroom with a private bath, its own full kitchen and a separate living area
- Downstairs: a king bedroom with patio access and a bunk room with two sets of twin-over-twin bunks
- Four full bathrooms and two half baths throughout the home
Downstairs also holds a theater room and a game room with a pool table and foosball. The remodeled main kitchen has double ovens and a large island, and there is a dedicated workspace for anyone who has to log on during the stay. Parking fits up to 6 vehicles, and boat and trailer parking is allowed, which matters to anglers towing their own boat. Large groups weighing it against other Branson lodge rentals will find a private path to a trout lake here.
Shell We Fish Above the Water
Shell We Fish is a two-level home perched above Lake Taneycomo inside a secluded lakefront resort community, with tall windows framing the lake and the wooded Ozark hills. It has a private covered hot tub, a covered deck over the lake, an open kitchen, dining and living area, and a private arcade for rainy evenings. The primary suite on the main level has a king bed and its own bathroom, and upstairs there is a second king bedroom and a bunk room with two sets of twin bunks.
The resort sits off the beaten path, so plan to drive to shows and restaurants, and the community is still growing, so daytime construction can happen nearby. The seasonal community pool is managed by the resort’s owners association. Guests must be at least 21 to rent, and the home allows no pets and no smoking.
Trout Fishing and the Cold Water of Lake Taneycomo
Lake Taneycomo stays cold all year because it is fed from the bottom of Table Rock Lake. Water released through Table Rock Dam averages about 48 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, and that cold water turned a warm lake into one of the top trout fishing lakes in the country after the dam was finished in 1958.
The state keeps it stocked. The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, just below Table Rock Dam on Highway 165, is the Missouri Department of Conservation’s largest trout-rearing hatchery. It raises 350,000 to 400,000 pounds of rainbow and brown trout a year, and 80 percent of that production goes into Lake Taneycomo.
Near the dam the lake behaves more like a river, with wading and bank fishing, and it deepens to more than 50 feet toward Powersite Dam in Forsyth, according to the Lake Taneycomo entry on Wikipedia. When Table Rock Dam is generating power, the current runs strong along the whole length of the lake.
Drive Times From the Lake Taneycomo Homes
Both homes are a short drive from downtown Branson, and Shell We Fish is a little closer. Times below are the ones published on each home’s listing.
| Destination | Long Beach Lake Lodge | Shell We Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Branson Landing and Historic Downtown | 15 minutes | About 10 minutes |
| Highway 76 Entertainment District | 15 minutes | About 10 to 20 minutes |
| Table Rock Lake | Not listed | About 15 to 20 minutes |
| Silver Dollar City | 30 minutes | About 30 minutes |
Groups who would rather swim and boat on Table Rock Lake, upstream of the dam, can compare these two with our homes right on Table Rock Lake.
What Every Lake Taneycomo Stay Includes
Thousand Hills Vacations guests at either home receive one free set of tickets to a Branson show or attraction, chosen from more than 30 participating options, plus golf discounts at Thousand Hills Golf Resort. Tickets are picked up on arrival or sent digitally after check-in, and the listings recommend reserving early because popular shows and tee times fill quickly. Shell We Fish guests aged 21 and over also get a free wine tasting at St. James Winery.
Check the current Branson lodging specials before you pick dates. A group that wants shows, attractions and lodging handled together can build the whole Branson trip around the lake house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I stay on Lake Taneycomo?
Thousand Hills Vacations rents two private homes on Lake Taneycomo: Long Beach Lake Lodge, which sleeps 16, and Shell We Fish, which sleeps 8. Live availability for both is in the search on this page.
Can you swim in Lake Taneycomo?
Swimming is one of the recreational activities on Lake Taneycomo. The water stays cold all year, around 48 degrees near Table Rock Dam, and the current becomes very strong whenever the dam is generating power. Shell We Fish guests also have the resort’s seasonal community pool.
Why is Lake Taneycomo so cold?
Its water comes from the bottom of Table Rock Lake and is released through Table Rock Dam. Since the dam was finished in 1958, that cold water has kept Lake Taneycomo cold enough for trout.
What is the difference between Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo?
Table Rock Lake sits above Table Rock Dam, and Lake Taneycomo sits below it, fed by the cold water the dam releases. That is why Lake Taneycomo is known for trout and feels more like a river near the dam.
Do the Lake Taneycomo rentals have hot tubs?
Yes. Both homes have a private hot tub with a view of the lake, and more are listed among our rentals with a private hot tub.
Are the Lake Taneycomo rentals pet friendly?
Long Beach Lake Lodge accepts up to two dogs of 35 pounds or less with prior approval, for a $100 fee per dog. Shell We Fish does not accept pets, and more options are among our Branson rentals that welcome dogs.
Is there a boat dock at the Lake Taneycomo homes?
Long Beach Lake Lodge has no dock, but a private path leads to the shoreline for fishing and boat and trailer parking is allowed. The Shell We Fish listing does not include a dock.
When are the fireplaces available?
The indoor fireplaces at Long Beach Lake Lodge are typically available November through mid-March. The gas fireplace at Shell We Fish is available from mid-October through mid-March.
Booking a Lake Taneycomo Home
Pick your dates in the search below to see live availability and rates for both homes. For help choosing between them, or to plan a reunion or fishing trip, get in touch with the Thousand Hills Vacations team or call (877) 262-0430.
