Fishing Lake Norman, NC
AKA: Norman Reservoir, Norman Lake and The inland sea of NC
Boat and bank fishing
Last updated on .
Popular Fish Species
Black Crappie Fishing
Lake Norman holds a plentiful population of black crappie, which are fat and healthy this year. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Lake Norman is considered one of the top bass fishing lakes in the region, as it has been for several years now. Anglers are catching bass in good numbers with largemouth bass in the 4 to 6-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Anglers can also catch spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. In Lake Norman, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.
Blue Catfish Fishing
This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Lake Norman. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 125 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. Blue catfish are primarily found in large rivers, along the main channels, in and around tributaries flowing into impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream in the winter in order to find warmer water.The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and striped bass at Lake Norman in North Carolina.
Lake Norman Fishing Video
A 32,000-acre nationally known as a bass fishing haven, Lake Norman offers much more, with a wide variety of fishing and other water sport opportunities. This reservoir is located in the north-central part of the state, at Mooresville. In addition to healthy populations of bass, there are enormous schools of perch, crappie and striped bass roaming these waters. Catfish and sunfish round out the list of species available. For boaters, there are multiple places around the lake to launch. Anglers wishing to fish from shore can pick a spot from over 500 miles of shoreline around this lake with plenty of coves, pockets and points. Fishing from a boat allows anglers to fish around the deep channels and ledges, as well as fish the shallows in the backs of coves and incoming creek. The lake is lined with boat docks, which provide shade and cover for the fish. Canoe and kayak fishing are popular here, including organized kayak bass tournaments being held with some frequency.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Norman
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Norman Amenities
Marina: Multiple
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Click here for fishing boat rentals.
Marinas
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Beatty's Ford Access
Located along the southwest shore of the lake, at the end of Unity Church Road, this four-lane, concrete ramp has two docks and plenty of paved parking.
Blythe Landing Park Boat Launch
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Highway 73, this access point has a six-lane, concrete ramp with several docks and plentiful, paved parking.
Hager Creek Access Area
This four-lane, concrete boat launch ramp, with two docks, and tons of paved parking, is centrally located on the east shore of the lake, off McKendree Road.
Lake Norman State Park Boat Ramp
Nestled in the Lake Norman State Park, in the northern sector of the lake, this two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and sufficient paved parking.
Little Creek Access Area
Paved parking and a dock enhance this two-lane boat launch ramp on the west side on the lake, mid lake.
Long Island Road Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Long Island Road, this is a two-lane, con\crete ramp with a dock and ample, paved parking.
Ramsey Creek Boat Ramp
Located in Ramsey Creek Park, in the southeast sector of the lake, find this multi-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Queen's Landing Boat Ramp
Located in the McCrary Creek Access Area, the Queen's Landing Boat Ramp is a four-lane, concrete ramp with two docks and paved parking. This access area is one-quarter mile east of the River Highway Bridge.
Stumpy Creek Boat Landing
This two-lane, concrete boat launch ramp, with a dock and ample paved parking is located in the northeast corner of the lake, at the end of Stumpy Creek Road.
Fishing License
Click here for a North Carolina Fishing License.
Click here for lake levels, or call 800 829-5253.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Lake Norman Motor Coach Resort Campground - 704 489-6033
Wildlife Woods Campground - 704 483-5611
Statesville / I-77 KOA Campground - 704 873-5560
Rock Springs Campground
Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Visitors Center
19900 West Catawba Ave, Suite 102
Cornelius, NC 28031
704 987-3300
Fishing lakes in each state
013126
NORTH CAROLINA
Great bass fishing in north-central NC.
