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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Lake Norman June Fishing Outlook
June 8, 2008
”Good-bye, spring! Hello, summer!” June brings bright sunlight, higher water temperatures and lower levels of dissolved oxygen. These conditions force stripers to migrate to deeper water.
Deep water fishing in June ranges from depths of ten to fifty feet. The brightest part of the day finds them near the old river channel and in deep creek beds feeding on forage fish . For those who can cast a net, good live baits are herring and shad. Otherwise, shiners and bream can be used. Anglers with casting rods will find vibrating lures, spoons, flukes and spinner baits extremely productive. If you have not fished Lake Norman in June, cast your baits in Reed Creek, between markers D1 and D7, or in Stumpy Creek between B2 and B3.
In late spring and early summer, a large percentage of fish will be caught after sunset. Night fishing is best around lighted docks, bridges, and water intake structures. Anglers normally make a few casts, then run to the next lighted dock. Others will anchor and fish with a portable light in the water. When anchored, either live or cut bait can be used. Two anchors, one fore and one aft, minimize the swinging motion of the boat. This allows the use of multiple rods and reduces the risk of tangling. Chumming with pieces of dead fish help attract large schools of stripers, as well as, some very big catfish.
When June comes to an end, stripers will leave the creeks and move to the depths of the old Catawba River channel. Expect to find them on deep points and near bends in the channels. Most days, down lining with live herring and shad at depths of thirty to fifty feet, will quickly produce limits. Anglers fishing above the 150 Bridge might want to concentrate in areas around the islands between markers 20 and 23. If you choose to fish the lower lake, try the old river channel from Marker 13, south to the dam.
Stripers tend to become stressed and even die when caught in warm water. A fishing regulation enacted in 2005 allows Lake Norman anglers to keep any size striper (June 1 – Sept.30), until the creel limit of four is reached. It is recommended that all stripers, regardless of size, be kept. When the creel limit is achieved, stop fishing for them.
June is also a good month for bream, sometimes called sunfish. They are easily found basking in the sun in shallow water. These feisty critters can be caught near boat docks and brush. Worms and crickets bring best results, but a piece of bread works well when this pan fish is hungry. Ounce for ounce, a bream is the hardest fighting fish in Lake Norman. A spinning rod, spooled with four to six pound test line, is recommended. Deep-fried bream make a great meal!
Upcoming Events:
Boater Safety Class – “Night Boating and Anchoring on Lake Norman” - Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC – Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Registration $25.00. For more information or to register, call Capt. Scot Spivey - 704-587-0325 or visit www.Lmservice.org.
“Night Fishing for Lake Norman Stripers, Bass and Catfish” - A free seminar conducted by Mac Byrum and Capt. Gus Gustafson - Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC – Thursday, June 19, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Call 704 658 0822 for additional information.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Keep the water cool in a bait tank or bucket by adding ice during the fishing trip. Cool water helps keep baits alive and more active.
The Hot Spots of the Week:
Lake Norman Catfish Guide Mac Byrum reports that fishing has been excellent for channel and blue cats. Catfish are taking cut baits when slow trolling or drifting at depths from ten to twenty feet. Striper and bass fishing continues to be very good, particularly early in the day.
The water level is currently 1.8' below full pond. Water surface temperature is in the mid-seventies and low eighties..
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. 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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