Mooresville, NC Fishing: Unbeatable Access to World-Class Fishing on Lake Norman

Mooresville is one of the biggest towns in North Carolina, located 30 miles north of Charlotte in the heart of the Piedmont region. It is part of Iredell County, which means visitors from all over the US can access it easily via two connecting interstates; I-77 on the north and south and I-40 on the east and west. 

Primarily known as “Race City USA,” Mooresville is home to several NASCAR teams, an IndyCar team, and two car-related museums: Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Likewise, it is the headquarters for many racing-related business and technology suppliers and has its own NASCAR Technical Institute.

Mooresville is a part of the burgeoning Charlotte Metro Area and the lush Piedmont region, giving its residents the best of both worlds access to job opportunities, city conveniences, and outdoor recreation. It is, in fact, one of the ideal home base locations for anglers wishing to maximize their fishing trip in this part of North Carolina. Mooresville is home to many boat rentals plying Lake Norman and is, therefore, the best place to hang your hat if you’re planning on exploring all the fishing opportunities this great lake has to offer.

Mooresville Fishing

Fishing in and around Mooresville means having Lake Norman within your easy reach. The beautiful lake, fed by the Catawba River and draining into Mountain Island Lake, is the biggest man-made freshwater lake in North Carolina at 32,510 acres. It has over 500 miles of shoreline and is 34 miles long. The lake’s average depth is 33 feet, but it can get as deep as 100 feet in some areas. The big waterbody contributes significantly to the biodiversity of the Piedmont region, attracting a diverse range of fish, mammals, and birds to its highly varied landscape. Apart from offering excellent fishing experiences, its surrounding area provides stunning hiking and other recreational opportunities.

Many anglers in North Carolina and beyond consider Lake Norman one of the country's best freshwater fishing lakes, particularly because of the wide selection of fish species that thrive on the spot. They include blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black bullhead, bluegill, crappie, sauger, yellow perch, white perch, white bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and striped bass. Stripers are no longer stocked in the lake since 2012, but some have managed to survive and can be found in the lake in trophy sizes.

North Carolina’s Inland Sea borders four counties, so there are plenty of ways to access the lake. Within Mooresville, anglers can access the lake via marinas like All Seasons Marina on Langtree Road and Coast Guard Auxiliary 17-06 and 17-08. Several public boat launches, including Stumpy Creek Access Area, McCrary Creek Access Area, Hager, Pinnacle Access Area, and Creek Access Area. The lake is an ideal space for sailing, kayaking, or paddling.

Anglers can access Lake Norman State Park just a few minutes outside Mooresville. There are several ways to fish the lake within the beautiful state park. One of them is via the park’s fishing pier, which has fish attractors in the water that lure in plenty of crappie. The state park's campground area also has excellent bank fishing. The trails throughout the park are also ideal for fishing. The left loop of the Alder Trail, in particular, is great for catfish and white perch. Some creeks in the park are mostly overlooked but can offer a rewarding fishing experience, especially if you’re looking for table fare.

Less than 20 minutes outside Mooresville, you will find a few more public boat launches in Cornelius. Ramsey Creek Park or Access Area is in the southwest part of the district and offers a boat ramp and small boat/canoe access. You can do some shoreline fishing in the access area as well. Jetton Park is another public boat launch area that offers shore fishing access on its trails. Head down to Huntersville, where you’ll find even more boat launches. Blythe Landing Country Park has six boat launches, floating piers, small boats or canoes, and a public fishing area. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Mooresville, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Mooresville, NC, include striped bass, white bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, bluegill, yellow perch, and crappie.

Seasonal Fishing

Fish bite in Mooresville and the Charlotte Metro region all year round. Spring brings bass to the shallows, and early summer signals peak fish activity, but anglers will find fall fishing in Lake Norman quite productive. It is perhaps because of the warm water released into the lake from the Duke Energy plants during the cold season. Fall fishing here can last well into December. In January and February, many fish active during fall will still follow their fall behavior until the transition towards spring. During these cold seasons, fishing is best in the lower part of the lake, serviced by many public boat landings. The lake has no closed fishing season, so you will find some freshwater favorites like striped bass, catfish, and panfish year long. However, take note of the daily creel limit for any waterbody you'll be fishing.

Enjoy a Range of Experiences in Mooresville

Want to slow down or speed up? With its sights and offerings, Mooresville can offer a relaxing nature-filled escapade and an adrenaline rush weekend.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Mooresville has several marinas with boats and charters to take you fishing and cruising on Lake Norman. For the novice angler fishing in the area for the first time, booking a local expert who can show you the best spots to fish while keeping you safe and comfortable is highly advisable.

2. Enjoy the Ultimate NASCAR Experience

You’re in Race City, USA, so what better way to complete your trip than devote an entire day to touring some of the NASCAR facilities in the area? JR Motorsports, known for being racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, has a big collection of racing-related memorabilia. You can even watch the team’s mechanics preparing for races. Penske Racing lets you in on their operation with a walk-through Fan Walk, which offers a bird’s eye view of the facility. If you want to soak in the history of NASCAR, head to NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame, NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and Memory Lane Motorsports & Historical Automotive Museum. 

3. Get a Unique NC Safari Experience

Lazy 5 Ranch on Highway 150 East offers a unique safari experience right at the heart of the Piedmont region. Here you and your family can witness more than 700 animals from different continents moving freely in nature. You can enjoy the experience from your car or a horse-drawn wagon.