The best spots for catfish include main channel points and drop-offs in deeper waters. According to the SCDNR website, the American alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis, is the only crocodilian native in the Palmetto State. Alligators are not native to the area and would not be able to survive in the cold water of the Lake. It was rumored to have been first spotted alive on Saturday, and then discovered dead, floating in the water, just off highway 74. You can buy your fishing license online now. Medford said its likely someone released the gator into Lake Wylie. 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. The state biologist said he went with and without the angler looking for the gator, but I never laid eyes on it.. 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. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. [3] This dam impounded the Catawba River and created Lake Catawba, which was utilized to create hydro-electric power. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. The wake it made was enormous! One person who viewed the photograph suggested it was a big nasty snake.. 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. Wind advisory continues overnight, nearly 3,000 without power. 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. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. The license was issued on March 1, 2006 and expires on October 31, 2015. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. I dont think its posing a threat yet.. Dr. Roberts says the alligators pose not threat to people until they get to be about 6 feet long, but they could be dangerous to small pets. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. 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. 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. York County coronavirus unemployment versus the Great Recession? 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). Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. In August, kayakers spotted a 2-foot gator near Copperhead Island. There is no way, this creature was way too big!, The Catawba Nation, a tribe of indigenous people based in the same area, has folklore that tells of multiple river monsters. An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. "It looked kind of like a lizard; it . About 60% of the 1,200 miles of shoreline are in SC, the other 40% in NC. The two returned to the spot todayin preparation for a tournament this weekend. 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. Also, there is a FAKE alligator head floating around the docks at Papa Doc's Shore Club. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission Dist. Lancaster County could get $68 million of jail, road, park upgrades. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. There are several fishing spots at Lake Wylie. Most likely, they saw a log or another object resembling an alligator. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped since they arent native to the area. The two returned to the spot April 9 in preparation for a tournament this weekend. He says that the catfish are biting at Lake Wylie and that the best spots for catching them are near the dam, in the creeks, and around structures. Dr. Kwane Stewart asked as he walked toward the pair. Troopers obtain arrest warrants on driver who blew past the bus flashing red lights and stop arm. 05-06-2015, 02:58 PM CarolinaWoman : 10,109 posts, read 10,395,323 times Reputation: 8573. Julie Orr has been going out to Lake Wylie for more than 20 years and she says it's not the first time she's seen alligators in the lake. Carnes, a junior at Clover High School, started the York County High School Anglers club. "It looked . We welcome stories and community members from anywhere people experience the impossible. What lakes in north Texas have alligators? I also heard the lake is not very clean. Lake Wylie is home to a large number of white perch. The children are scared to death," said Orr. "It was swimming out toward the bridge and just circling and I just said, 'That ain't no otter.' Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. The largemouth bass is a widespread species of fish to catch in Lake Wylie. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator, according to WSOC-TV. The communities surrounding Lake Wylie organise a plethora of yearly events, including water sports team events, live music festivals . If you enjoyed this article and would like to support the Singular Fortean Society, please consider becoming an official member by signing up through our Patreon pagemembership includes a ton of extra content and behind-the-scenes access to the Societys inner workings. Two fishermen got a shock April 5 while fishing on Lake Wylie. "I can't really answer how it got here. Troopers obtain arrest warrants on driver who blew past the bus flashing red lights and stop arm. Lake Norman, another site near Charlotte created by damming the river, is said to be home to a creature called the Lake Norman Monster. Harnett County deputy involved in 2-vehicle crash that left 2 dead, Raleigh rents increase nearly 6% from last year, 4 people arrested, charged in February stabbing in Burlington. Why fans love it. But first, Thomas said. Anglers can also catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, and shad at Lake Wylie. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator. Lake norman is larger than the other lake. Cary man becomes 27th North Carolinian charged in Capitol riot. 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. Sold: 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2415 sq. Lake Wylie is one of 11 lakes on the Catawba River and is the oldest lake in the Catawba River basin, with water being moved around each lake on the chain system through Duke Power. They said gators are natural in the Catawba River near Lake Wateree, but getting that far past all of the dams is very unusual. 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. So needless to say we stayed in our kayaks. 6 biologist, said he doesnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. It definitely freaked us out.. You can catch them using a variety of baits, but scavenging is the most common method. He must live back there.. A website is devoted to alleged sightings of it, which some say is a giant fish more than a monster snake. First of all, it's a great place to swim. Heres the list, Chester County father pleads guilty to 2021 abuse of infant twins, sentenced to prison, Former Panthers site entrance, large home lots near Lake Wylie among Rock Hill plans, Death investigation after man found shot to death in Chester County, sheriff says, York County resident dies, nearly 100 York, Lancaster, Chester COVID-19 cases reported. Ive heard a few people say theyve seen them on the lake. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. The Catawba Nuclear Generating Station is located on the south-western part of the lake, and draws its cooling water from the lake. Anglers Carson Orellana and Chris Carnes trolled up on a 2-foot alligator sitting on a log near Copperhead Island Access Area. "It was swimming out toward the bridge and just circling and I just said, 'That ain't no otter.' GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? Lake Wylie is located in South Carolina and is a reservoir that the Duke Energy Corporation created. Canyon Lake Texas: The Most Beautiful Place in Texas. We dont want people feeding it, Medford said. Lake Wylie sits on a peninsula that runs along the edge of Lake Wylie, a reservoir named for Dr. W. Gil Wylie in 1960. Alligators are not native to the area and would not be able to survive in the cold water of the Lake. Are there any alligators in Lake Murray SC? 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. One person suggested it was a a big nasty snake, while another said it was nothing more than a floating log. Also, there is a FAKE alligator head floating around the docks at Papa Doc's Shore Club. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. "The first sighting was Friday. The registered business location is at 3001 Lake Terrace Drive, Wylie, TX 75098. We started this blog as a place to go to when we had questions about buying our first home on the lake. South Carolina alligators can be found thriving in the shallow and swampy areas of the lake and can also be found in coves and creeks. To keep up with the latest news and events happening with the Singular Fortean Society, sign up for our monthly newsletter! River, water, and lake access. There is places to walk and jog. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. "Wylie Hydroelectric Station Celebrates 75 Years Of Service: A Little History Gets A Chance To Shine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Wylie&oldid=1094559366, This page was last edited on 23 June 2022, at 10:41. "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. People are advised . According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. Photo at South Carolina lake resurrects talk of tribal legend, (Jessica Plate (custom credit) | Jessica Plate), Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Making breakfast burritos and cheater beans with Chef Elizabeth Barrick, Authorities searching for missing 12-year-old Gaston County girl, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video, Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State, though alligators have been found occasionally. Lake Wylie's location on both the South Carolina and North Carolina borders makes it a common recreational destination for residents of nearby cities including Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill. But we stayed away from it.. 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. Its not dangerous, said Medford, who isnt planning to continue the search for it. 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. It was in the same exact spot, Carnes said. This story was originally published April 9, 2015, 5:29 PM. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped since they arent native to the area. Lake Wylie is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. 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. Why fans love it. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. The South Fork River and Catawba River confluence is now submerged under Lake Wylie near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Neither lake, nor the Catawba River which connects them, has any indigenous alligators, although several alligators are found along the Catawba each year. You can find this fish on various baits, including worms, artificial lures, and baitfish. BELMONT, NC (WTVD) -- An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. He also urges anglers to move to another spot. 751 Santa Anita. There is no way, this creature was way too big! she said. If its as cold as last winter, he almost certainly wont make it.. Lake Wylie is a reservoir or man-made lake in the U.S. states of South Carolina and North Carolina. Having lived in Lake Wylie for 11 years, Thomas said shes heard rumors about alligators in the lake. Plate told McClatchy news she wasnt aware of the river snake myth until she started reading the responses posted to the photo. "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. "I know this picture. Jacob Cannon said that he was hanging out with friends Saturday night at Belmont's Loftin Riverfront park when he saw the reptile. Bluegill can be caught using a variety of baits, such as worms, minnows, and even jigs. For the most part, if theyre there, people do detect them.. In 1905, the Catawba Power Company became part of the Southern Power Company. Plate told McClatchy news she wasnt aware of the river snake myth until she started reading the responses posted to the photo. Lake Wylie monster? Jessica Plate posted with her photo. Its likely that little alligator is probably going to die here, he said. After a local resident found the creature while kayaking, he pulled it to shore and called animal control. 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. The Singular Fortean Society is based out of Madison, Wisconsin, but operates globally. You can catch them with various baits and lures, but the water levels at Lake Wylie are constantly fluctuating, making the fishing difficult. In 2014, kayakers spotted a small alligator near Copperhead Island on Lake Wylie, and in 2002 DNR officers captured an 8-foot alligator in a Lake Wylie cove. He said while people who learn about the gator say theyll never swim in the lake again, Carnes isnt worried. A website is devoted to alleged sightings of it, which some say is a giant fish more than a monster snake. Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses, Plate said. This expansive park features lakes . 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. There was a lot of information on the internet, but we always spent hours searching for it. 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. Lake Wylie feels more like a really wide river so to speak and doesn't have the expansive open water like Lake Norman does especially on the southern end. 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. Biologists are investigating how the alligator died. The Singular Fortean Society earns a fee as an Amazon Associate for qualifying purchases. Lake Wylie is an artificial reservoir, so likely, the bottom of the Lake is mainly composed of sediment and rocks. Mark Price has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1991, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. Lake Wylie is a great place to catch bluegill. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. LOS ANGELES Kilo, a muscular gray pit bull, stood staunchly by his homeless owner in the middle of 6th Street on L.A.'s skid row. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. Catherine Muccigrosso - cmuccigrosso@lakewyliepilot.com. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely . The truth is, Alligators do not live in Lake Wylie. "It's possible somebody was along the coast caught a few and thought it would be funny to throw them in there," said Roberts. Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. Simpson, others react on social media after Alex Murdaugh is found guilty, Strong storms, tornadoes possible in Midlands. More than likely it was released but we don't know that," Cody Walker, with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, said. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The wake it made was enormous! A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in. "Lake Wylie monster?" Jessica Plate posted with her photo. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!, The photo was taken around 7:15 p.m. Saturday, and the thing appeared at first to be swimming toward her, then turned away, she wrote. 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. 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. There is no definitive answer to this question. Heres when severe weather is forecast, South Carolina running back forced to say goodbye to the game, Prosecution subpoenas Snapchat, Google to testify in upcoming Murdaugh trial, A Florida taxidermist takes clients nobody else will: grieving pet owners, Alex Murdaughs attorneys ask SC judge to bar testimony about blood spatter at trial, Netflix offers sneak peek of upcoming docuseries on Murdaugh murders in SC. A 5-foot-long alligator has just been discovered on the Catawba River in Belmont, NC, just north of Lake Wylie. This story was originally published December 30, 2019, 7:40 AM. 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). The Lake is home to several fish attractors that can help anglers catch various fish. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. 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. It could've been released. 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. Lake norman has an expansive open water like the other two lakes, but lake wylie feels like a really wide river and doesn't have it. Lake Norman is a little over twice as big. York County, tri-county unemployment hit milestone numbers with coronavirus uptick. Hes responded to fishing lures as if interested, Medford said. Wildlife officials believe those animals are likely exotic pets abandoned by their owners, despite alligators living naturally in other parts of North and South Carolina.