Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest man made body of fresh water located in North Carolina. Lake Norman is fed by the Catawba River, and drains into Mountain Island Lake to the south. It was named after former Duke Power president Norman Atwater Cocke. Lake Norman is sometimes referred to as the "inland sea" of North Carolina; it offers 520 miles of shoreline and a surface area of more than 50 square miles. Full pond at Lake Norman is 760 feet above mean sea level.  Lake Norman ranks as the largest man-made lake in the state of North Carolina and was created in 1963. 

 

    North Carolina is home to a number of different species of fish.  The Principal Sport Fish of Lake Norman.

• Black Crappie

• Striped and White Bass

• Channel Catfish

• Largemouth Bass

• Smallmouth Bass

• Bluegill

• Yellow Perch

Walleye can be found in some of the northern lakes of the Catawba River chain and Trout can be found in streams to the north. Bullheads can be found in some of the warmer lakes, rivers and ponds. In addition to popular sport fish you will also find Carp common to most all the area lakes including Lake Norman.