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Fall fishing season on Lake Norman
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Published: October 1, 2009
October's north winds signal the beginning of the fall fishing season. It's a great time to combine fishing and cruising. Autumn on Lake Norman is highlighted with clear blue skies, a crispness in the air and trees that proudly show their reds, yellows, browns and earth tone colors. The color change is both interesting and beautiful. Color changes will first be noticed at the lake's upper end and will slowly move south toward Cowan's Ford Dam.
Pleasure boating slows with each passing cold front, while interest in fishing increases. Fishermen look forward to the cool, quiet days of fall in an environment with fewer boat wakes. Fish also enjoy the quietness and become increasingly active with the disappearance of summer's relentless heat.
Bass fishermen hit the lake on crisp fall morning, dressed in jackets displaying patches that promote fishing tackle and boat manufacturers. These high-speed anglers are constantly in search of "ole bucket mouth," the mythical bass that weighs 25-plus pounds. Chances of finding him have improved since Lake Norman's largemouth and spotted bass population has become healthier and larger in recent years. Improvement in the fishery can be credited to the introduction of herring, a forage fish that bass love to eat.
Largemouth bass will move from deep to shallow water as the fall season progresses. Boat docks, the backs of creeks, and long, sloping points are areas where they will congregate. Bass will also locate near submerged brush as well as areas where rocks and stumps are prevalent. Soft plastics, jigging spoons, crank and spinner baits are preferred lures of local fishermen.
As the water temperature cools and bream fishing slows, while crappie and white perch fishing improves. They can be caught throughout the fall on small minnows and little jigs near docks and around brush at depths to 30 feet. Fishing for crappie and white perch is a good reason to take a child fishing. These pan fish are easy and fun to catch on a light spinning outfit or a simple cane pole.
Lake Norman's big prize is the striped bass. Each year brings reports of thirty pounders. Most boated stripers however are considerably smaller. A legal size 16-inch striper weighs about three pounds, but fights like it weighs a ton.
Popular methods of fishing for fall stripers are, down lining live baits and casting lures to surface feeding fish. Both methods have a time and place and can often be accomplished during the same fishing trip. Many anglers begin at daylight in search of surface feeding fish. Once sighted, cast artificial lures in hopes of persuading a striper to strike. When surface feeding ceases, drift live baits over suspected striper hangouts and holding places. Popular live baits are shiners, shad and herring.
Fall stripers are frequently found in Davidson and Reeds Creeks at the lower end of the lake and at Stumpy and Hicks Creeks above the Highway 150 Bridge. Bank fishermen can cast baits in the waters at the Lake Norman State Park, or at either of the hot water discharges of the Duke Power plants.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Lake Norman area tackle shops, Dicks Sporting Goods (Exits 25 and 36), area Wal-Mart Stores, West Marine (Exit 28) and at Gander Mountain in Mooresville. Licenses can also be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Consider using a landing net with a black handle, hoop and netting material. Black is said to be less obvious to the fish than the silver and gold materials that adorn other nets. Some believe that black nets are spook-proof.
Upcoming Events:
The 10th Annual Lake Norman Striped Bass Fish Fry will be held at Midway Bait and Tackle, in Terrell on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. This fundraiser is sponsored by the Norman Fishery Alliance (NFA) and the Lake Norman Striper Swipers. Bring the entire family to enjoy good food and live music. For additional information, call 704-663-9441.
Hot Spots:
Bass and spotted bass are schooling on points, humps and brush in water to 35 feet deep. Perch are also plentiful in deep coves and along drop offs. Stripers are leaving their deepwater summer haunts and returning to major creeks on both sides of the Highway 150 Bridge. The week's forecast is for some sun, wind and clouds, with limits of fish for lucky anglers.
The surface water temperature is in the 70s and low 80s, and the lake level is 3.6' below full pond.
Capt. Gus Gustafson is a professional fishing guide on Lake Norman. Visit his Web site at www.lakenorman striperishing.com or call 704-617-6812.
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