Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation currently maintains over 27 miles of shoreline at Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, and Lake Wylie, as well as dozens of ponds and smaller lakes that are stocked for public fishing.
No matter where you live in Mecklenburg County, chances are there’s a fishing hole close by.
Here are 5 of the best spots around our city:
#1 Freedom Park:
Yes, just a couple of minutes from uptown Charlotte, you’d be surprised what you can pull from the lake at Freedom Park! You’ll find largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill here. A great place for bank fishing with the little ones, and easy access to the playground when their patience fades.
#2 McDowell Nature Preserve:
On the shores of Lake Wylie, McDowell Nature Preserve and Copperhead Island have boat launches for fishing further out, and seven piers for fishing, too! Bass, catfish, and other panfish are plentiful here. Plus, a fantastic shelter, volleyball pit, and fire ring for group outings!
#3 Latta Plantation Nature Preserve:
So much history here, plus kayak and bank access to Mountain Island Lake. You can literally spend all day here, between the Nature Center, hiking and horseback trails, Raptor Center, and historic Latta Plantation home, but you’re here to fish! You can get loaner tackle here, and buy bait.
#4 McAlpine Creek Park:
Renowned by runners, walkers, and those cyclists who love those e-bikes for its Greenway, McAlpine Creek Park is home to a 3-acre lake stocked with catfish, bass, and bluegill. There’s a small pier and several bank-side benches. Accessible from all sides, there’s plenty of elbow room here to practice your fly-casting!
#5 Colonel Francis Beatty Park:
This may be one of the hottest ‘in town’ fishing spots. Colonel Francis Beatty Park is 265-acre park. It’s by no means massive, but it has plenty of amenities. The 20-acre pond is deeper than most at 18 feet, and is stocked with largemouth bass and bluegill. Open every day from dawn until dusk.
If you’re new to the whole fishing thing, you can borrow a rod and reel at a participating Mecklenburg County Park and Rec Nature Center, including Latta Plantation, McDowell, or Reedy Creek. Latta Plantation even sells bait, so you’ll have everything you need. Call in advance to check for availability, then enjoy the fishing!
Make sure you have a valid A North Carolina Fishing License before you go. You can buy your fishing license online at this link, or call 1-888-248-6834.
Special thanks to Mecklenburg County Park and Rec’s New Blog for compiling this list.