Yes, you need a fishing license to fish in Lake Wylie. They said gators are natural in the Catawba River near Lake Wateree, but getting that far past all of the dams is very unusual. James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling in the early afternoon Aug. 3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. SCDOT says these York, Lancaster and Chester county roads are up next for repaving. This facility opened in August 1925, increasing the surface area of Lake Catawba from 668 acres (2.70 km2) to 13,400 acres (54.2 km2). If the alligator is presenting a threat to humans, in North Carolina, call N.C. Wildlife at 919-707-0010; in South Carolina, call 800-922-5431. As in the case with the infamous Loch Ness monster, proof has never been found of anything large or monstrous in the river, though alligators have been found occasionally in the Catawba. The South Fork River and Catawba River confluence is now submerged under Lake Wylie near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Author John Hairr wrote in Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State that both the areas indigenous people of the Catawba Nation and European settlers have legends going back centuries of snake-like monsters living in the Catawba River. "I don't want. You can find this fish on various baits, including worms, artificial lures, and baitfish. Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group. BELMONT, NC (WTVD) -- An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. If the gator was caught, Medford said, the commission would work with zoos to place it, or euthanize it because moving it to a different location could harm local populations. Lake Norman is a little over twice as big. Winthrop University Biology Professor Doctor William Roberts saysfrom the pictures and video hehas seen the ripples seem to be alligators. Most likely, they saw a log or another object resembling an alligator. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. The average depth of the lake is just over 20 feet. The Lake is home to several fish attractors that can help anglers catch various fish. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely . The two returned to the spot todayin preparation for a tournament this weekend. For the most part, if theyre there, people do detect them.. Ive heard a few people say theyve seen them on the lake. After paddling to other coves they returned to see the gator still there. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), High-speed chase leads to deadly officer-involved shooting in Chester, Man found shot to death inside Albemarle home; no arrests made, 5-year-old girl died hours after doctor turned her away for being late, WATCH: Keith Monday's Wednesday forecast outlook, Body of Rev. The Catawba had legends of giant leechlike creatures that lived in the river. We believe thats the size when they were put in there, Medford said. (Jessica Plate). An Alligator was found on Lake Wylie on Sunday. White perch are a good choice for beginner anglers because they are easy to catch. The communities surrounding Lake Wylie organise a plethora of yearly events, including water sports team events, live music festivals . You can buy your fishing license online now. "I know this picture isn't the greatest, but tonight while walking around the lake in our neighborhood we saw this 3 to 4 foot 'thing' moving in the water. Its not dangerous, said Medford, who isnt planning to continue the search for it. Fort Mill school district names new middle school principal as start date nears, Prime Fort Mill riverfront property among biggest York, Lancaster, Chester land sales, Fort Mill just named its top teachers and staff members for 2023. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. The man-made lake was first formed when the Catawba Power Company built the Catawba Dam and Power Plant near India Hook, South Carolina in 1904. Baits such as worms, artificial lures, and fly fishing can all be used to catch Spotted bass. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - Three alligators have been spotted swiming in Lake Wylie and it has people who spend time there concerned for their safety. Now the gators have taken up residence and Doctor Roberts says they could live there a long time. One involves monstrously large snakes that prey on people in the rapids and giant leech-like creatures, reported John Hairr in the 2013 book Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State.. Lake Norman, another site near Charlotte created by damming the river, is said to be home to a creature called the Lake Norman Monster. I know this picture isnt the greatest, but tonight while walking around the lake in our neighborhood we saw this 3 to 4 foot thing moving in the water. Medford learned of the gator, estimated to be about 20inches long, about two months ago when an angler contacted him with photos. On Tuesday officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. The children are scared to death," said Orr. Hes responded to fishing lures as if interested, Medford said. In 2000, officers found a gator in the Crowders Creek area of Wylie and in 1999, Catawba Nuclear Station employees spotted a 5- to 7-foot alligator lurking in a nearby lagoon. All Rights Reserved. Simpson, others react on social media after Alex Murdaugh is found guilty, Strong storms, tornadoes possible in Midlands. Ive heard a few people say theyve seen them on the lake. This story was originally published December 30, 2019, 7:40 AM. The nature center also has a pier where anglers can fish. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. In 2000, officers found a gator in the Crowders Creek area of Wylie and in 1999, Catawba Nuclear Station employees spotted a 5- to 7-foot alligator lurking in a nearby lagoon. As in the case with the infamous Loch Ness monster, proof has never been found of anything large or monstrous in the river, though alligators have been found occasionally in the Catawba. Most relevant sightings happened between 2016 and 2018, as 700-pound and almost 1,000-pound alligators were caught, ranging from 12-15 feet each. Why fans love it. Are There Alligators In Lake Wylie NC? The best spots for catfish include main channel points and drop-offs in deeper waters. There are peddle boat rentals on Legg Lake. The Singular Fortean Society earns a fee as an Amazon Associate for qualifying purchases. A 5-foot-long alligator has just been discovered on the Catawba River in Belmont, NC, just north of Lake Wylie. 49.81 square miles vs 21 square miles. Is there any truth to these stories? The image uploaded by Jessica Plate to social media site Nextdoor. James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling about 1 p.m. Aug. 3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. Are there snakes in Lake Wylie? I dont think its posing a threat yet.. Anglers can catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish at Lake Wylie. "I know this picture. His tongue lolled out, and his wide, square jaw was open as if he was grinning ear to ear. In August, kayakers spotted a 2-foot gator near Copperhead Island. Neither lake, nor the Catawba River which connects them, has any indigenous alligators, although several alligators are found along the Catawba each year. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. The Native Americans were not the only ones who believed that a monster lived in the Santee River system, of which the Catawba River is a major part. Giant snakes were not the only mysterious creatures inhabiting the river in the days before European settlement of the region. Definitely will go back to the shore (with more people for evidence) to try and catch another glimpse!. James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling in the early afternoon Aug.3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. How should a boat sit on a Trailer? "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator. The wake it made was enormous! The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped because they arent native to the area. One involves monstrously large snakes that prey on people in the rapids and giant leech-like creatures, reported John Hairr in the 2013 book Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State.. [Different Ways Fish Travel to Isolated Bodies of Water]. In 2000, officers found a gator in the Crowders Creek area of Wylie and in 1999, Catawba Nuclear Station employees spotted a 5- to 7-foot alligator lurking in a nearby lagoon. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. I fish all over the country, and Ive seen pretty much anything on the lake, he said, the only shocker was it was on this lake., Carnes said the gators spot also was good for fishing. I got outta there," Cannon said. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. This time we visited on a Friday and there were lots of people there. To report your own encounter with the impossible, reach out to us directly at the Singular Fortean Society through our contact page. It was rumored to have been first spotted alive on Saturday, and then discovered dead, floating in the water, just off highway 74. He said while people who learn about the gator say theyll never swim in the lake again, Carnes isnt worried. Medford said alligator bites are rare, and typically the concern is protecting small pets. York County, tri-county unemployment hit milestone numbers with coronavirus uptick. He also urges anglers to move to another spot. Lake Wylie monster? Jessica Plate posted with her photo. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission Dist. The two returned to the spot April 9 in preparation for a tournament this weekend. LAKE WYLIE Experts estimate South Carolina has 100,000 alligators in its waters, but three of the smallest are the ones causing a stir in Lake Wylie. LAKE WYLIE Two fishermen got a shock April 5 while fishing on Lake Wylie. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? The best sites for bass include the dam and drop-offs in the main channel. "The one variable in this that there is that large plume of warm water from the nuclear power plant where the alligators can hang out all winter long and theoretically stay warm enough," said Dr. Roberts. Canyon Lake Texas: The Most Beautiful Place in Texas. No, there are no alligators in Lake Wylie. According to the SCDNR website, the American alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis, is the only crocodilian native in the Palmetto State. The lake has a surface area of 13,400 acres (54.2 km 2) [1] (20.9 mi 2) (5420 ha) and features 325 miles (523 km) [2] of shoreline. "Clearly it's an alligator, three actually it looks like," said Dr. Roberts. If its as cold as last winter, he almost certainly wont make it.. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Doctor Roberts says the best rule of thumb is, if you leave the alligators alone, they'll leave you alone, but that's not enough for Orr. "It looked kind of like a lizard; it . "It's possible somebody was along the coast caught a few and thought it would be funny to throw them in there," said Roberts. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission District 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. Lake Wylie monster?" ft. house located at 4075 Whittier Ln, Tega Cay, SC 29708 sold for $475,000 on Feb 27, 2023. Anglers find these spots highly rated for catching this species of fish. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. "It looked . Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. Another reason why experts believe the alligator was taken care of by somebody is because it's a lot wider than a typical American alligator, which suggests it has been fed by somebody. Channel 9 was there Tuesday as officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. There is places to walk and jog. The license type is Registered Nurse. Lake Wylie is an artificial reservoir, so likely, the bottom of the Lake is mainly composed of sediment and rocks. Lake Norman has 533 miles of shoreline while Lake Wylie has 325 miles of shoreline. In the past, he said, 6- to 8-foot gators have been sighted in Lake Wylie and other bodies of water where alligators dont normally live. Cary man becomes 27th North Carolinian charged in Capitol riot. The only time an alligator has actually been in Lake Wylie is when someone caught an alligator somewhere else and dumped it here (and quickly picked up by Wildlife officials). The Singular Fortean Society is based out of Madison, Wisconsin, but operates globally. The photo, posted online Sunday, shows what could be the head of something sticking out of the lake, with a sinuous wake spinning several feet behind it. Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. 6 biologist, said he doesnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. First of all, it's a great place to swim. Video shows driver nearly hitting 2 students crossing NC road to board their bus, NC Supreme Court blocks transfer of school funds in Leandro court case, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son in June 2021, Man charged with DUI after 3-year-old child dies in Fort Mill car crash, police say, The top-ranked pie in North Carolina doesnt look like pie at all. Biologists are investigating how the alligator died. One of my twins had just jumped in the water to swim and gotten back on, said Christine Thomas. (805) 252-5894. On Sunday, their five heaviest bass weighed more than 20 pounds, which is good for this lake., Seeing the gator, he said, just summed up a great day.. The Catawba Indians believed that monstrously large snakes inhabited the Catawba River, and preserved stories of these large animals killing people on the rocks of the rapids near what is now Charlotte. #Alligator found on #LakeWylieSC story at 5 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/g9iFgYouzb. South Carolina resident Jessica Plate posted a photograph to social media site Nextdoor recently that has some speculating about a monster in Lake Wylie.