Frequently Asked Questions:

Everyone seems to have questions related to fishing on Norman and other area Lakes. Some of the most frequently asked questions are addressed below.   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, at Plant Marshall 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? Some are really big. A state record blue catfish was taken last year. It weighed eighty-five pounds. There are those that think (?) a hundred pound plus, blue is lurking near the dam. Several twenty pound striped bass were caught during tournaments this year. The state record spotted bass came from Norman. It tipped the scales at six pounds-five ounces.   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 use 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 below the 150 Bridge. Many people fish the north end of the lake because it has less open water and is 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. But, there are many occasions when fish feed aggressively through out the day. Spring is a preferred time by many, because fish are hungry and in shallow water. Night fishing is popular in the summer. 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 land-locked striped bass are stocked by wildlife agencies. As is  the case on Lake Norman.   Where can I get a North Carolina State Fishing License?  Walmart, Dicks, The Denver Sportsman and Piedmont Bait & Tackle as well as most bait shops that surround the lake sell fishing/hunting licences. Licenses can also be acquired on line at www.ncwildlife.org   How deep is Lake Norman? The average depth of Lake Norman is twenty-five feet. At full pond, the deepest point is 130 feet.  Most baits are fished at fifty feet or less.  However, catfish and stripers have reportedly been caught at depths to 100 feet.   What are the most popular live baits? Popular live baits are worms, crickets, shad, herring, trout, minnows, shiners and bream.   How many poles/fishing rods can I fish with? You may use as many as you like. There is no limit on the number of poles/rods one may use.   What colors work best when fishing with artificial lures? White, chartreuse, brown, gray and silver are all good colors to use.   What are the sizes and creel limits for fish caught on Norman? Bass-                14" - 5 fish per angler per day Striped Bass -   20" - 4 fish per angler per day Crappie -            8" - 20 fish per angler per day Currently, there is no size or creel limit on catfish, white perch or bream.   What are spotted bass?  Where did they come from? The spotted bass has a mouth that is smaller than a largemouth bass and larger than a small mouth bass. It has a distinguishing rough patch on its tongue which allows it to securely hold a crayfish in its mouth before digesting it. Spotted bass were stocked in Lake Norman from a strain of bass native to Alabama. The spotted bass is not a hybrid, but in fact, one of seven distinct species of black bass.   How many striped bass are stocked in Lake Norman annually? Approximately 162,500 fingerlings, roughly five fish per acre, are stocked annually by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. The survival rate is estimated to be about ten percent, which leaves only 16,250 to grow to the legal size limit of twenty inches.   How did Arkansas Blue Catfish get in Lake Norman? In 1966, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission stocked the lake with four thousand blue cats.  Today, they are plentiful and range in size up to eighty five pounds.   I have a bow-rider pleasure boat.  Can I fish from it?  If so, how? People have fished from pleasure boats for years while drifting, trolling, or anchored.  Creative boaters mount removable electric trolling motors and rod holders on pleasure vessels.   How do you catch bait fish such as shad and herring? A cast net is thrown over a school of bait. The bait becomes trapped when the net closes and is then pulled in.  Cast nets range in size from four to twelve feet in length and open in a circle to a diameter double the length.  First time bait casters should learn casting fundamentals by using a four to six foot net.   Are fish caught from the lake safe to eat? Yes!  Not only are they safe to eat, but they are delicious. Bass, crappie, catfish and stripers make great table fare when fried, baked or broiled.   How long did it take to fill Lake Norman with water? Eleven months.   Do I need a license to operate a boat on Lake Norman? No.  However, all boaters are urged to take a boater safety course before operating any vessel. The next scheduled boater safety class will be September 10, 2005 at Davidson College. Call the Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron at 704-895-6993 for more information.   Do fishermen really use rainbow trout for bait? Yes.  Hatchery raised trout are sold at area bait and tackle shops during the winter months. Three to eight-inch trout are hearty baits and make tasty treats for Lake Norman's striped bass. Bait trout that escape being eaten, usually perish during the summer months.   Will the Bassmasters hold another tournament on Lake Norman next year? Yes.  The 2006 event scheduled for July 27- 29 will be a Women's Bassmaster Tour Event headquartered at Blythe Landing in Huntersville, NC.  During the same week, the Citgo Bassmasters Tour Event for men will be held on Lake Wylie.   How old is a twenty inch striped bass? Depending on conditions, it takes a striper three or more years to reach a length of twenty inches and a weight of 4.0 to 5.5 pounds.   What is the largest striped bass ever caught on Lake Norman? Official lake records have not been kept, but several stripers in the thirty pound range been taken over the years. One of the largest was a thirty-four pounder caught by Mooresville resident, Sam (Rawhide) Newman in 2000.   A proposed regulation reduces the size limit of a striper from twenty to sixteen inches.  What effect will this have on fishing? The two largest area striper fishing clubs are opposed to the change, unless a significant increase occurs in the number of stripers stocked annually. Many fishermen believe that the proposed regulation will dramatically reduce the already depleted stock.   Where do the sea gulls and terns that winter on the lake come from? Some think they fly south from the Great Lakes and from TVA impoundments.  According to Gene Vaughan, a Duke Power biologist, they migrate from the coastal plains of NC. He says, "They fly inland during the winter, but few, if any, become permanent residents."   What are the big nests I see on the shoal markers around Lake Norman? The nests are built by ospreys, raptors commonly called "fish hawks."  These large birds have nostrils that close to keep the water out when they dive.  They use their large talons to snatch fish from the water.   What are the long nosed, snake-like fish that swim around my dock? More than likely the fish you are seeing are gar. The elongated garfish has a long nose full of needle sharp teeth. The gar's flesh is editable, but the roe is said to be poisonous.   Is there a speed limit for boats on Lake Norman? Terry Davis of the Mecklenburg County Lake Patrol says, "There is not an absolute speed law, however, there is a reckless operation statue on the books. It states that anyone who operates a vessel in a manner that puts persons or property at risk is considered reckless operation. This is a Class 2 misdemeanor under NC sentencing guidelines."   Boats are getting bigger and bigger on Lake Norman. Is there a size limit? "There is no set size limit for recreational vessels at this time," said Lake Patrol Officer, Terry Davis. He further states that, "Boat operators are responsible for any damage caused by the vessel's wake."       If you have one of your own questions, email Fishing With Gus at Gus@lakenorman.com   Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a full time Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at http://www.fishingwithgus.com/ , or call 704 617 6812. For additional information, e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com