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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Fishin' Report
07-29-2007
Fishermen and boaters who regularly ply Lake Norman know that water levels have been considerably lower than normal this summer. In fact, the current lake level is at 756.0' above mean sea level or 2.0' below the targeted operating range of 758'. Low water levels bring an increased risk of boat groundings and a higher likelihood of hitting a variety of submerged objects. Conditions similar to low tide at the coast make it prudent to remind boaters of certain safety procedures.
First and foremost, don't venture into unfamiliar waters, particularly after dark. If you must wander or roam, have a current lake map/chart with you. Better yet, purchase a GPS and have it loaded with a contour map of the lake.
GPS mapping (see "Tips from Gus") allows boaters to anticipate changes in water depths and turns in the channel before the vessel approaches the spot. The GPS also allows the pilot to plot a deep water course in advance of the voyage. Good maps identify old river and creek channels, and clearly show the location of navigational aids positioned and maintained by the Lake Norman Marine Commission. The day and night marker system makes safe passage simple. When traveling upstream (away from Cowan's Ford Dam) keep the red markers to your right and the green ones to your left. If in doubt, stay between the red and green.
Another frequently seen day marker on LKN is a white diamond shaped sign that reads "rocks" or "shoal." The potentially dangerous water surrounding either sign is shallow at times and should be passed with caution. If in doubt as to which side to pass, stop the vessel and refer to your lake map.
Lake Norman has numerous areas where shoal markers and red or green channel markers are placed in close proximity to one another. In these cases, the shallow water is between the red/green and white marker. Do not attempt to pass between them (it's not a channel). Examples can be found at creek channel markers T2, T4, D4, D3, and main river channel markers 1A , 6 and 15A.
Many of Lake Norman's beautiful islands are simply continuations of land. The water that separates them is often very shallow and dangerous. Do not assume that this is a good short cut. Go the long way around, pass on the outside of the island. The NCWRC has positioned warning buoys between some, but not all islands and land masses. Be safe. Do not venture near them.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Maps, charts and GPS cartography should be used as references, and only in conjunction with local boating knowledge and good judgment.
The Hot Spot of the Week is the deep water near the lower dam. Stripers and catfish are being caught by drifting live and fresh cut fish, or by trolling deep running lures during the early morning hours and at night. White perch continue to hit live bait, small jigs, and spoons. Larger fish are in water depths from twenty to forty feet.
The lake level is 756.0' above mean sea level or 4.0' below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the mid to high 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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