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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ High Tide
June 21, 2009
Due to the recent rains, Lake Norman and the Catawba River Basin Lakes have been at near flood stage levels. As with low water, high water conditions also present a unique challenge for boaters.
Flotsam (debris) washed down river by stronger than normal currents, and trash washed from the shoreline by rising water, not only create a nuisance, but make navigation extremely hazardous. In recent days, reports of unattended boats, entire docks, telephone poles, and very large trees have been seen in the water and floating up and down the waterway.
Rising water also covers shallow points of land, sand bars and stump fields. While it is tempting to take a short cut between an island or over a point not normally deep enough to pass, it is also an unwise thing to do. Most shoals are still un-navigable, and one is likely to either run aground and/or destroy a prop.
The most dangerous areas of all on Lake Norman are the twenty-one bridges that crisscross the old Catawba River channel and its feeder creeks. When the water is high, the vertical clearance for bridges is not only at a minimum, but debris tends to collect around the bridge pilings. To make matters worse, bridge piling footers are often unseen hazards just below the surface that can cause serious damage to a passing vessel. One should pass between the spans with the highest and widest set of pilings.
Listed below are the approximate vertical bridge clearances when Norman is at full pond (760 feet above sea level). Wave height must be factored in when boat clearances are tight. The bridge clearances are from lake observations and information provided by the Lake Norman Marine Commission:- I-40 Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Highway 70 Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Railroad Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Railroad Bridge - Buffalo Creek - 3' 0"
- Buffalo Shoals Rd. Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- State Rd. 1832 Bridge - Balls Creek - 5' 6"
- Windermere Island Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Molly’s Backbone Rd. Bridge - Terrapin Creek - 2' 0"
- State Park Rd. Bridge - Hicks Creek - 3' 0"
- Perth Rd. Bridge - Rocky Creek - 3' 0"
- Perth Rd. Bridge - Cornelius Creek - 5 '3"
- Cornelius Rd. Bridge -Cornelius Creek – 4’ 0"
- Highway 150 Bridge - Catawba River - 8' 5" & 11' 1"
- Highway 150 Bridge - Mountain Creek - 5' 9"
- Highway 150 Bridge - Reed Creek (LKN Marina) - 5' 9"
- Mount Pleasant Rd. Bridge - Mountain Creek - 5' 5"
- Railroad Bridge - Mountain Creek - 6' 3"
- Slanting Road Bridge - Mountain Creek - over 10' 0"
- Governors Island Bridge - East Side of Burton Creek - 7' 10"
- Williamson Rd. Bridge - Reeds Creek - 6' 0"
- I - 77 Bridge - Reeds Creek - 10' 3"
Tips from Gus!
Before passing under a bridge, be sure the vertical clearance will allow the boat’s super structure, fishing rods, antennas, and radar domes to clear without hitting the underside of the span.
Upcoming Events:
Free Fishing Seminar - “Bank and Dock Fishing for Sunfish, White Perch, Catfish and Bass” will be discussed at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bring the family (kids) to this free event. I will cover everything from fishing with a cane pole, hooks and bobbers, to using the best of baits and giving suggestions for places to fish. Contact 704-658-0822 for additional information.
Hot Spot of the week is Mountain Creek. Anglers are taking stripers while deep trolling with artificial baits. Bass fishing is good to excellent around docks and deep brush. Perch and cat fishing is very good. The water temperature is in the eighties and lake level is near full pond.
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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