Lake Norman
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Lake Norman Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake Norman. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Spotted BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonSummerStructureDocksA week of rain dropped the water temp 10 degrees and the fish were actively feeding. Found them on docks in the morning
- Species
CatfishTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureDocksDams, docks, bridges and rocks. At Lake Norman, those are the cardinal habitats for bass and catfish. 50lb super slick is holding up to the constant pressure of trophy catfish. The 20lb class blues are coming up to feed along the bank regularly, taking up large size shiners. The wind direction changed today. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a change in the action.
SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueHard Body SwimbaitsSeasonSummerStructureBouldersEarly morning on a cloudy day on lake Norman could be the best time to catch some fish in the summer on lake Norman. Today I was fishing shallow around boulders with the bullshad. Those spotted bass were destroying it as I reel past boulders. Today I was throwing this medium size swimbait on a medium heavy st croix mojo bass rod with a shimano slx. I had 30lb braid to 20lb leader with a snap to allow bait to swim freely. I was just burning this bait across the top of boulders in shallow water. The water was very clear like usual on lake Norman today. Most fishing in less than 5 ft of water.
- SpeciesCatfishTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureDocks
The air was still today and the bite cooled off. That said, I remained entertained by a singular channel cat in the 4lb range and 3 blues ranging from 10-20lb. 8am became interesting when a observed a school of nicely sized spotted bass in weapons envelope stalking bluegill along the ballast rocks. A 6lb class largemouth bass was cruising the shoreline as well. Perhaps tomorrow, I can take a swipe at those guys.
- SpeciesCatfishTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonSummerStructureDocks
There has been a steady 20mph southerly wind for 3 days and the result is that my dock is producing better than most boats right now, especially for catfish. Head north in to coves and you’ll find monsters at all depths.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Large)SeasonSummerStructureLedgesLook for steep drop ledges on the main lake in that 25’-40’ contours and scan with electronics looking for larger schools of bass. The smaller schools seem to just be the 1lb to 2lb fish but the larger schools showing 20+ fish will hold a few larger largemouth bass that ate mixed in with the bigger spotted bass. Parallel the ledge with a long cast and keep it in the strike zone by bouncing and slow rolling off the bottom just off the drop. With this depth they bite better and ate not as spooked. Once a few are hooked it often fires up the whole school and will bring up others to the surface as followers. I can’t stress enough of making a long cast and giving your bait a longer strike zone to get them agitated. This is a typical summer bite on most deep lakes and should produce bites until the lake temps start to drop.
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureDocks
I said in yesterday’s report that I’d take a swipe at these bass today. I took one swipe and got her casting at the ballast rocks from the main dock. She hit in 8’ of water. I was suspending the worm as well as I could. The day also produced one blue cat, one channel cat and one flathead cat, all in the 3-5lb range. No fish photos I’m afraid. (My brother is no longer reaching for the camera for anything less than 30lbs). Lake Norman is a special place. Y’all should make the trip some time.
- SpeciesCatfishTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureDocks
We were on blue cats all day. The 2-5lb class were caught on manufactured cat blood bait. The 10-20lb class were caught on shiners. All were Carolina rigged. The winning rods of the day were: Shakespeare Catfish Rod 7’M with stock 4000reel Daiwa Samurai 6’6” M with Samurai 2500reel Daiwa Samurai 7’MH with Emcast 3000reel
