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Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Need to Know
May 30, 2010
Everyone seems to have questions related to boating and fishing on Lake Norman. Some of the most frequently asked questions are addressed below.
▪ Up north, we had a closed season on bass fishing. What are the regulations on Lake Norman?
Lake Norman does not have a closed fishing season. Anglers can fish year round for any species, except grass carp.
▪ I do not have a boat. Where can I fish from the shore on Lake Norman?
Public fishing is allowed at the McGuire Nuclear Plant off Highway 73, the Marshall Steam Plant off Highway 150, and at the Lake Norman State Park, near Troutman, NC.
▪ What am I likely to catch on Lake Norman?
Largemouth bass, spotted bass, stripers, catfish, white perch, carp, crappie and bream.
▪ How big are the fish in Lake Norman?
Sizes vary. An eighty-five-pound state record blue catfish was caught a few years ago. There are some who suspect that a blue cat weighing more than a hundred pounds is lurking near the dam. Stripers average five to six pounds. In the past, twenty and thirty pounders were caught. The state record, a six pound-five ounce spotted bass was caught in Lake Norman.
▪ Can I catch trout, walleye and white bass?
High summer water temperatures, combined with low levels of dissolved oxygen, make it all but impossible for trout and walleye to survive in Lake Norman. White bass used to be plentiful, but have practically disappeared in recent years.
▪ Is fishing better above the Highway 150 Bridge?
Not necessarily. There are times when Ramsey, Reed, Mountain and Hagers Creeks produce a lot of fish. Also, both hot water discharges are located south of the 150 Bridge. Many people fish the north end of the lake, not because there are more fish, but because there is less open water and it’s easier to fish on windy days.
▪ When is the best time to fish?
As a rule, fish bite best early in the morning and again just before dark. However, there are many occasions when fish feed aggressively throughout the day. Spring is a preferred time because fish are hungry and in shallow water. Night fishing is also popular in the summer. Since stripers like cold water, winter is a good time to fish for them.
▪ I thought Striped Bass were a saltwater fish?
They are, but they swim up freshwater rivers to spawn. Stripers are able to adapt and can live in freshwater lakes when conditions are right. Most landlocked striped bass, like those on Lake Norman, are stocked by wildlife agencies.
▪ Who needs a fishing license?
Anyone sixteen and over who fishes in public waters is required to have a valid fishing license.
▪ Where can I get a North Carolina fishing license?
Licenses can be purchased at most area bait shops and at department stores that sell fishing tackle. They are also available at http://www.ncwildlife.org/., by phone at 888-248-6834, or by mail at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
▪ How do I get help in an emergency if my boat is in a dead cell phone area?
The old stand-by is to wave your arms, a flag, shirt, etc. to a passing vessel. Another option is to install a marine band VHF radio. Channel 16 is monitored by the Lake Patrol, Coast Guard Auxiliary, NC Wildlife Officers and other boaters equipped with VHF radios.
▪ I see signs and buoys that say “No Wake.” How fast can a boat go in a “No Wake” zone?
”No Wake” means, “No Wake!” If you can see a wake behind the boat, you are going too fast. Boat wakes are like fingerprints. Each one is different. Wakes might vary with the way the boat is loaded. Some boats might produce a wake traveling at only a few miles per hour.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
If your boat battery is more than two years old, it should be replaced. Regardless of the age, spring is the time to check the fluid level and fill as needed.
Saturday, June 5, 2010, Light House Marine Services will offer a Boater Safety and PWC Class. Registration fee is $49.00 for the eight-hour session beginning at 9:00 a.m. The class will be held at North Point Watersports, Exit 36 in Mooresville, NC. To register, or for more information, call Capt. Scott Spivey 704 587 0325 or visit www.lmservice.org.
Saturday, June 12, 2010, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a Boater Safety and PWC Class. The class will be held at Kings Point Marina (Morning Star) in Cornelius, NC. For more details, contact John Marino at Marinoj@cgadavidson.org or 828 478 2507.
Hot Spots Of The Week:
The Hot Spots of the week are the Reed/Davidson Creek areas at the lower end of the lake. Stripers, largemouth, spots, white perch and catfish have been very active. Stripers and bass feed on humps and points, while perch and cats cruise the edges of creek channels. The lake is down about 1.5’ fom full pond and the water surface temperature is in the high 70's and low eighties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704.617.6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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