We are considering a move to North Carolina in preparation for retirement and for a variety of reasons have narrowed it down to a lakefront home on either Lake Hickory or Lake Norman with Lake Hickory the top choice. I just wanted to get opinions on the fishing including variety and level of usage.
Thanks
Hickory has bigger fish . the lake is older than norman and a lot smaller. get your check book in order they are some big houses on both lakes . good luck on your move
Let me be the first to say welcome to North Carolina
If you're looking for friends and fishing buddies to come stay at the mansion and drink all your beer, I'm only about 3 hours away
If I fished to live.....I'd starve to death!
Hi Kingfisher, Moved down to Norman tem years ago from Burlington Ct. Love the area. Do Fish 2-3 times a week. Hickory is like Candlewood. Norman is loaded with spots. Home of the state record. I like to fish Wylie the best. Has BIG fish and is fun to fish. If I can assist on info let me know. Living down here is a lot different than CT. The weather lets you fish all year. Lots of tourneys. A bunch of us old guys get together during the week and have a five buck big fish tourney. Usually fish 5 or 6 hours and spend an hour in the parking lot throwing the bull etc. Every Tuesday on Rhodhiss there is a retired guy five buck tourney, big fish. The usually get about 15-50 guys. Good fellowship Lots to do. The lake area homes are expensive, but compared to CT they are a bargain. MUCH lower taxes. Nat Gas and power prices are Much lower also. Take care, hope we meet some day, Don
Lake Norman, N.C./New Britain, CT.
An Khe 66-67
I have fished Lake Hickory one time! I would love to do it again. It is a small, but deep lake from what I can remember! But the fishing seemed to be great... I believe one of the original actors from The Dukes of Hazzard live on the lake as well...
if i make no mistake roscoe p coltrain lives in hickory,, the lake i dont know though.
I have a friend that lives in hickory and he fishes there alot and loves it.
Norman you couldnt melt and pour me there
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[i] ADAM HENSON
2009 DODGE 2500 4X4
1987 SKEETER STARFIRE 150
1987 GT 150
8 INCH SLIDEMASTER
PRETTY CLOSE TO SHOWROOM CONDITION
My wife & I live on Lake Norman and have for the past 8 years. We have a home on Lake Norman in Catawba County which is also the county where Lake Hickory is. Where I am on Norman its about 35 minutes from the nearest Lake Hickory ramp and 7 minutes from my driveway to the Pinnacle/McCrary Creek Access ramp on Lake Norman so it's really the best so I can get to both of those lakes, and Lookout also (a terrific little fishery with BIG FISH) in minutes. I keep the bass boat on a trailer in the garage and like many others here keep a pleasure boat in our boat slip.
I'd recommend Norman over Hickory for living choices, amenities, things to do, etc. without question.
Hickory is a tough fishery, it's a deep bite most of the year and known for big bags and large bags during night tournaments.
Norman is just the opposite, it's a shallow bite most of the year, a much larger system, and known for medium sized bags on average due to so many spotted bass but you can get 100 bites a day down here with no problem when the water is above 60 degrees which is about where it's getting to. Big bites are not an issue either now with the newly introduced bait fish (Blueback & Alewife).
Email me with any specific questions about living on Norman. Also we may be putting our home here up for sale as my wife may be taking a job in Charlotte and we will move to the South end of the lake if she does. Right now, we have the ultimate retirement home (a new 1 level ranch on 1 acre will great water and big views) if you want details about it shoot me a PM and I'll get you up to speed.
Chuck D
(Currently shopping for my next bass boat)
I moved to Laken Norman about 14 years ago and never looked back. You will love it here. Family and friends will follow as well. Its that great of an area. Depending on what type of lifestyle you are used to will determine which lake is better for you. As far as being relatively close to everything, convenience to charlotte douglas airport, dining and entertaining, and top notch hospitals you can't go wrong with Lake Norman. If you are looking for a lake a little more out of the way, and longer drive times aren't a problem, than go Hickory.
As far as fishing goes, Lake Norman hands down for year round fishing because of the hot holes. The ability to fish year round is a huge plus, especially if you are coming from an area where lakes freeze over. Hickory tends to have some bigger fish, but Norman has quantity and is more popular in the tournament circles. It is selected for national tournament trails like FLW or BASS due to its immense size and the variety of ways you can catch them on the lake.
I would be happy to talk with you in more detail about your options. I own a real estate firm here in Lake Norman and have been a practicing broker for 13 years. All of my clients get a boat and land tour of the area, as well as a day on the lake with a pro. Feel free to email or send an IM if I can help in any way. Happy to do so!
Mark@Z1Realty.com
Yes James Best is Rosco P coletrain Lives on hickory He is over 80 years old now Hee Hee Heee
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