Lake Conditions: The water level on Lake Norman is about 4.1 feet below full pond and is 3.4 feet below on Mountain Island Lake. The surface water temperature is in the high thirties and low forties in water not affected by power generation on Lake Norman.
Hot Spots of the Week: Cold weather has slowed the number of fishermen on Lake Norman, but not the sport of fishing. Stressed and dying shad are providing a winter buffet for various species, including catfish, in back coves at the upper end of Lake Norman. Stripers, hybrids and white perch are in the main river channel from the Highway 150 Bridge south to Cowans Ford Dam. Bass, hybrids and stripers are biting in the hot holes.
In North Carolina, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who wishes to operate a vessel powered by 10 or greater horsepower on public waterways, unless otherwise in compliance, must take a Boater Safety Class instituted by the NCWRC, or one approved by The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Wildlife Resources Commission. The following classes are scheduled in the Lake Norman area to help meet this requirement.
Date Offered By
March 14 Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron (http://www.usps.org/lakenorman/)
March 21 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit-054-26)
March 26 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org)
May 2 Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron (http://www.usps.org/lakenorman/)
May 3 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org)
May 5 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org)
May 6 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org)
May 16 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit-054-26)
Compete details are available online.
Fees may be assessed.
The online courses listed below also meet the education certification requirements of the NCWRC.
Boat-Ed.com
BoaterExam.com
amboat.com
http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp
http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/
PWCSafetySchool.com
Anyone new to boating, or in need of a refresher course, should complete one of the above mentioned classes before the 2015 fishing season begins.
Other Classes
Sea School is offering a ten day USCG approved Captain’s License Course beginning March 6th at 8:00 a.m. For details, visit http://www.lmservice.org/ or call 704 361 2991.
“How to Navigate Lake Norman Day or Night” is a free boating class at The Peninsula Yacht Club, 18501 Harbor Light Blvd, Cornelius, NC at 6:30 p.m. on March 12th. The class will be repeated on April 23rd and May 13th. Becky Johnson and I will cover “Understanding LKN’s Channel Marker and Buoy System”, “How to Avoid Shallow Water”, “Ten Most Dangerous Spots”, and “Interpreting Lake Maps”. For more information, call 704 892 7575 or visit www.fishingwithgus.com .
Tips from Capt. Gus: Safe Boating is No Accident!
Upcoming Events:
Free Fishing Seminar - “Fun Fishing for White Perch and Crappie” - I will conduct this ninety minute session at 6:30 p.m. on March 18th at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. For more information, call 704 658 0822.
Capt. Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an Outdoor Columnist and a full time Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his website at www.Fishingwithgus.com or call 704-617-6812. For additional information, e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com