I live in NC, and I am relatively new to NC (2 yrs here). Also, new to boating. What are the good freshwater boating areas in NC? I am located in Burke County, but they don't have to be close by.
I'm right above you (top of the mountain)...Have you been to Lake James?, small lake but in Morganton. While not in NC, I go to Watuaga Lake (Mountain City, Tenn.), also kinda small, but I like it cause it is mainly surrounded by Nat. forest so VERY few houses on it, it's a deep (and cold) lake but also very clean.
Rougher than heck on the weekends with all the high dollar big go fast boats.
I would not waste the gas to go to that lake and is the closest one.
They should call it Lake Snob,look at me,my boat is bigger than yours!...lol!
Lake James is nice as well as Lake Hickory...good fishing too..
Duh, I forgot about Lake James and Lake Hickory. I am located in Valdese so all are really close to me. I attempted once to go to Lake James for swimming at the beach but it had already been closed due to the amount of people.
What about Lake Rhodhiss....good boating? I have taken my dogs there swimming before, but that is all. I mostly saw people out there fishing in smaller boats.
There are rivers too...right? Most of these places I have seen due to taking my dogs out. Just down the road in Rutherford College there is a local boat lauch site that goes into the Catawba River which is a huge area. That will probably be the first area I will hit up since it is so close.
Lol....about Lake Norman. I thought it might be that way. I was thinking about renting a house on the lake one of these summers so put a boat on for awhile. Maybe not now....I enjoy the more peaceful settings.
Not sure where you are in NC. Do know of a very nice lake in VA. just north of the state line. CLAYTOR LAKE, in PULASKI county. Have never seen a lot of boats there even on weekends. Very nice state facilites by the dam. Also a large free ramp at the headwaters of the lake, very little usage. Pretty remote, believe it is the head waters of the NEW RIVER. Dont think there are any horse power restrictions. HILLSVILLE exit off 77 or much closer if you continue up and hit 81 north. regards FRED
Lake Chatuge is in NC and GA located in Haynesville and very scenic. Not too busy either. The colors of the fall on that lake are worth the trip alone. Fontana Lake is also very beautiful and not too crowded. The Western NC area is full of great mountain lakes.
Gary,
You won't be disappointed. beautiful mountain veiws and crystal clear water. You can also tour the dam very interesting. Hiwasse Lake in Bear Paw, NC is very scenic with lake front houses for rent just like Lake Chatuge.
Another vote for James or Fontana. We go to James alot for day trips(as its close).For longer trips (2-3 days) we have a cabin on Fontana that gets alot of use.
Fontana is my favorite,most places on the lake are surrounded by steep mtns which keep the wind chop down. I always see more "glass" water on Fontana.
Lake Wylie South of Norman on the Catawba river at the NC SC line. You can also drop down into Northern South Carolina to Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee, all nice lakes. Even further away on the Ga SC line there are three lakes, Lake Hartwell, Lake Russell, Clarks Hill/ Strom Thurmond depending on who you talk to, SC calls it Strom Thurmond and Ga calls it Clarks Hill.
