Remember those secret fishing spots your grandfather always told you about?  But he never told you where they were.  Well, they're right here in Mecklenburg County.  Check out the links below and see what you've been fishing for.

 
Community Fishing: Where you can fish, what you can catch, how many you can catch.

Fishing License Information: who needs one, where you can buy them, how much they cost.                      

Tackle Loaner Program: Need a rod and reel?  We'll check one out for you.

Bait Information: where you can buy it.

Boy fishing at Colonel Francis Beatty Park (Photo courtesy of Cathy Almon, Mecklenburg County citizen)

Community Fishing Program
The Division of Natural Resources in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission maintains ponds at the following parks and nature preserves as part of its Community Fishing Program.  Fish structures and feeders have been placed in several of these ponds to enhance fisheries and increase fishing success.  Minnows may not be used as bait in any of these ponds.

• Colonel Francis Beatty Park
  704-643-3405
  4330 Weddington Road, Matthews
   
• Freedom Park
  704-336-3375
  1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte
   
• Hornets Nest Park
  704-336-8096
  6301 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte
   
• McAlpine Creek Community Park
  704-568-4044 
  8711 Monroe Road, Charlotte
   
• Park Road Park
  704-643-3405
  6220 Park Road, Charlotte
  No fishing at Park Road Park: Because of a leak in the overflow system at the lake in Park Road Park, the lake dries up in dry weather. Park and Recreation plans to seek bids in September for drainage repairs, dredging the lake and improving the banks. Construction should start in October 2007.  This project should take about one year.
   
• Reedy Creek Park & Nature Preserve
  704-598-8857
  2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte
  
  For more information on creel limits, pond size, pond depth and available fish species, quick reference chart.

You can also fish from the following Mecklenburg County parks and nature preserves that border several reservoirs on the Catawba River.  State fishing regulations apply.

• Latta Plantation Nature Preserve - Mountain Island Lake
   
• McDowell Nature Preserve - Lake Wylie
   
• Blythe Landing - Lake Norman
   
• Jetton Park - Lake Normam
   
• Ramsey Creek Park - Lake Norman

Fishing License Information
A North Carolina State Fishing License is required for all anglers ages 16 and older.  For more details on how and where to purchase a North Carolina State Fishing License to be directed to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website or you can reach them by phone at 888-248-6834. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Officers enforce fishing license regulations.

Tackle Loaner Program
The Division of Natural Resources and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission have formed a partnership to loan free rods, reels and tackle to local anglers. Participants can enroll in the program by filling out a form at McDowell Nature Center, Latta Plantation Nature Center, or Reedy Creek Nature Center. Once enrolled, participants receive a card that works much like a library card. Participants use the card to check out fishing equipment from the nature centers for a 24-hour period. The program is open to all ages. Bait is NOT provided.  For more information on the program, please call 704-598-8857.

Bait Information
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation does not sell or provide bait at any of its facilities.  However, the vendors listed below are located near several of our nature preserves and do sell bait.

• Wilgrove Express Bait & Tackle, 10120 Albemarle Road, 704-545-1228
  
• Grab 'n Go, 13920 York Road, 704-588-2814
  
• Tesh's Grocery 9000 Hambright Rd, Huntersville 704-875-1289
  
• "South Lake" Exxon at 14910 Beatties Ford Road at the corner of Hwy 73 and Beatties Ford Rd.