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Lake Norman

Lake fishing  North Carolina · 06:48 - 17:26

Lake Norman is a lake in North Carolina. The main target species are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

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Prime 84% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
82%
74°
Fri
77%
71°
Sat
81%
63°
Sun
76%
60°
Mon
76%
67°
Tue
85%
66°
Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
58°F
Air temp
55°F
Wind
4 mph
Pressure
30.14 inHg ↓ falling
Clouds
59.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:03–08:03 Dusk 16:11–18:11

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:32–09:32 Major period 19:32–21:32 Minor period 01:31–03:01 Minor period 14:04–15:34

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

07:00
55°
08:00
58°
09:00
62°
10:00
65°
11:00
68°
12:00
71°
13:00
71°
14:00
73°
15:00
74°
16:00
74°
17:00
72°
18:00
70°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
84%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
66%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, falling pressure ahead of weather.
Tap for details ↗
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
42%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, falling pressure ahead of weather.
Tap for details ↗
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
40%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, falling pressure ahead of weather.
Tap for details ↗
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
39%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees.
Tap for details ↗
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
30%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, falling pressure ahead of weather.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass.

Striped Bass is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for striped bass at dawn. Fish hard now.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and natural baitfish for striped bass.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Lake Norman (LKN) is an artificial freshwater lake located in southwestern North Carolina, approximately 15 miles north of Charlotte. Created between 1959 and 1964 during the construction of Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, it is the largest man-made body of freshwater located entirely within North Carolina. The lake is named after former Duke Power president Norman Atwater Cocke.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Lake Wylie North Carolina · 32.2 mi away Lake Tillery North Carolina · 53.6 mi away Lake James North Carolina · 54.0 mi away Salem Lake North Carolina · 56.6 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 57.3 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 58.2 mi away Linville River North Carolina · 58.9 mi away Bald Mountain Lake North Carolina · 69.2 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Norman?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and White Bass.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Norman?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Norman?

Striped Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Norman right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 59%.