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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Frequently Asked Questions
September 23, 2007
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Since the last FAQ list was posted, thousands of new residents have moved to the Lake Norman area. Below are some of their inquiries:
At what lake level will area boat ramps be closed?
(The current lake level is approximately 93.6' or 6.4' below full pond.)
- Long Island Access Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full pond
- Stumpy Creek Access Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full pond
- Pinnacle Access Area - 91.5 or 8.5' below full pond
- McCrary Creek Access Area - 91.5 or 8.5' below full pond
- Hagar Creek Access Area - 91.5 or 8.5' below full pond
- Little Creek Access Area - 93.0 or 7.0' below full pond
- Beatties Ford Access Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full pond
- Blythe Landing - 95.0' - Closed
- Ramsey Creek Park - 96.0' - Closed
Do trout, walleye or northern pike live in Lake Norman?
No. They are considered cold water fish that require cooler temperatures and more dissolved oxygen than Lake Norman can provide.
What types of fish swim in Lake Norman?
Bass (largemouth and spotted), crappie, white perch, catfish and stripers are the most sought after species. Each has a preferred season, but can be caught year round.
Which baits are best?
That depends on what you are fishing for. Regardless, about everything that swims will take a worm or a lively minnow. Bass are generally caught on artificial lures, catfish bite fresh cut and prepared baits, stripers take lures and dead or live shad/herring, crappie can't resist minnows and jigs, and white perch prefer shiny lures, worms and minnows.
Who needs a fishing license?
All residents and non-residents over the age of sixteen are required to have a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased on line or at area tackle shops and sporting goods stores. For more information, visit http://www.ncwildlife.org.
What is a snakehead? Are there snakeheads in Lake Norman?
The northern snakehead is a long slender fish that closely resembles a bowfin (mud fish). Snakeheads can live out of water for short periods of time. It is an aggressive predator and has been known to displace native fish populations in areas where it has been illegally introduced. Although none have been reported in Lake Norman, one confirmed catch and release did occur on the Catawba River near Belmont, NC in the spring of 2007. The fish weighed thirteen pounds and measured thirty-one inches long. Wildlife officials are asking anglers to keep and report (1-800-662-7137) any fish suspected as being a snakehead.
What is the biggest fish ever taken from Lake Norman?
It is believed to be an eighty-five pound Arkansas blue catfish caught a few years ago near the Long Island Marina. Some suggest there are even bigger catfish in Lake Norman, possibly weighing as much as one hundred pounds.
Upcoming Events:
Seminar by Alan Stopko: Stopko will conduct a seminar on "How to Read Lake Norman Charts, Plan a Trip, Anchor and Tie Knots." This three-hour session will be at 9:00 a.m. Sept. 29 at the Peninsula Yacht Club. Call 704-895-6993 to register.
Continuing Education Class at Mitchell Community College (Mooresville Campus): "Understanding GPS and Fish Finders." This four hour course will be conducted by Capt. Gus Gustafson on two consecutive Wednesday nights beginning October 10 at 6:30 p.m. Call 704-663-1923 for more information.
Tips from Gus
To improve the action of a soft plastic worm, use a sharp knife or razor to split the tail half way up the body. Try the same when fishing dead shad/herring. Run the knife blade along the backbone from the tail toward the gill plate. When pulling the bait, it will flutter and appear lifelike.
Hot Spots of the Week:
Stripers are suspended along drop offs in water to sixty feet deep. Spotted bass are at twenty-five feet. Best areas to fish are the Islands near the State Park and Reeds Creek. Catfishing has been good with lots of three to six pound blues caught on fresh cut bait. White perch are scattered, but when found, it's easy to catch enough for a fish fry.
The lake level is 93.6 or 6.4' below full pond. Water surface temperature is in the mid 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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