Peter Mwaniki

Lake Gaston Fishing, Size, Depth, and More Meta Description: Lake Gaston is one of the most popular lakes in the US. The man-made lake touches both North Carolina and Virginia. Lake Gaston is an artificial water reservoir at the border of North Carolina and Virginia. The lake is popular with people who love fun activities in and around the lake. You can spend the day at the lake or stay the night camping in the area. There’s much information about Lake Gaston, so stick around and learn more. Where is Lake Gaston Located? Lake Gaston is one of the most popular lakes in North Carolina and Virginia. Part of the lake touches three counties in North Carolina. There are Warren, Halifax, and Northampton. Another part of Lake Gaston extends to Virginia. It touches the county of Mecklenburg and Brunswick. Most of the area surrounding the lake in both states has a large human population. There’s also wildlife that lives in and around Lake Gaston. In North Carolina, two towns are nearest to the lake. Folks enjoy exploring Roanoke Rapids and Littleton towns. In Virginia, the nearest towns to Lake Gaston are South Hill and Clarksville. History of Lake Gaston: How Was It Formed? It might be surprising to learn that Lake Gaston isn’t a federally owned lake. Still, it plays an important role in North Carolina and Virginia. Lake Gaston isn’t a natural lake. It’s an artificial lake due to damming the Roanoke River. The Virginia Electric Power Company dammed the Roanoke River to build the Gaston Dam. A privately-owned company, Dominion Resources, charted the way for the damming project. Their goal was to generate power for their enterprise. Dominion Resources are the owner of Lake Gaston. They built the Gaston Dam in the part of the river that’s in North Carolina. It generates power for Dominion North Carolina Power and has four hydroelectric generators. The official dedication of the Gaston Dam took place on June 26, 1963. Lake Gaston has become an essential part of the landscape in both North Carolina and Virginia. It’s one of the main water supplies for Roanoke Rapids Lake and Kerr Lake. What is the Size of Lake Gaston? Lake Gaston is an essential artificial water reservoir. It’s on North Carolina and Virginia's border, covering over 20,000 acres. The lake is 35 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline that the locals enjoy. In addition, the lake is 1.5 miles wide and is on l-85 and l-95. Regarding depth, Lake Gaston has an average elevation between 199 and 200 feet. The lake is 450% larger than the neighboring Roanoke Rapids Lake. It’s also 40% larger than the Kerr water reservoir. The Roanoke Rapids Lake is downstream, while Lake Kerr is towards the north. Lake Gaston is a large body of water; several islands dot its surface area. The islands on Lake Gaston include Goat Island, Wobble Island, and Stagger Island. Wobble Island is located in the Valentine area on the lake. How Deep is Lake Gaston? Lake Gaston isn’t too deep. In fact, it has an average depth of 95.1 feet at the maximum depth. The lake also has a minimum depth of 19.6 feet. Lake Gaston tends to have a more constant water level than other lakes. For instance, Lake Kerr’s water level can fluctuate depending on the season. It’s hard to enjoy boating in such a lake because you risk getting caught in the mud. However, this isn’t an issue in Lake Gaston. Boaters with the right permissions are open to boating while enjoying constant water levels. In addition, both North Carolina and Virginia rate the water quality in Lake Gaston as A-1. Is Fishing Permitted at Lake Gaston? Lake Gaston is a popular destination for anglers. Fishing for leisure and sport is quite famous in the region. Several fishing tournaments take place in Lake Gaston annually. However, you need a license to fish in Lake Gaston. You can apply for the permit in either Virginia or North Carolina. Folks who love fishing will delight in knowing the lake has a wide variety of fish. These include: Channel Catfish Lakes in the US have plenty of channel catfish. It’s one of the most popular fish species. They spawn in late spring to early summer and are opportunistic feeders. Fishermen enjoy catching the channel catfish to prepare different delicacies at home. Channel catfish feed on different kinds of crustaceans. They also go for algae, snails, plants, and insects they can find in the water. They enjoy the darker and more secluded parts of the lake, where they find safety. Largemouth Bass The next type of fish in Lake Gaston is the largemouth bass. It’s easy to spot a largemouth bass because the fish has a large mouth. No other bass fish is the same size as the largemouth bass. They prefer Lake Gaston as it offers the perfect environment for spawning. Spawning takes place during spring, starting in May. Fishermen have a bigger chance of catching large females in the lake during spawning. Still, largemouth bass can grow big, reaching a length of 18 inches. They feed on small fish, crayfish and warms in the lake. White Crappie White crappies are in plenty in Lake Gaston. They are much lighter than the black crappie but share many similarities. These aren’t native North Carolina fish, but stocking helps to maintain their numbers in Lake Gaston. They are special fish prized by fishermen and tend to swim in schools in the middle of Lake Gaston. White crappie thrive in warm waters and build nests to keep their eggs safe. Their small size makes them a delicacy since they fit well in a pan. Bluegill The bluegill is another special fish you can catch while fishing in Lake Gaston. Bluegill fish are part of the sunfish species and are food sources for other fish. Examples of fish that feed on the bluegill include walleye and bass. They can easily adapt to new conditions and survive in different depths in Lake Gaston. Bluegills build nests and spawn in Lake Gaston. Catching them using bait or a net in the lake is possible. Bluegill fish are another example of panfish popular with anglers. Black Crappie You can catch the black crappie in Lake Gaston like the white crappie. They are much darker than the white crappie and in different parts of the country. Lake Gaston provides the best habitat for black crappie that enjoy living in clear waters. Their main food sources include small fish, crustaceans, insects, and aquatic plants. The best time to catch black crappie is when they’re feeding. They gather in large groups, making traps or hooking them easy. Walleye Lake Gaston is also home to the walleye fish species. The walleye prefers the parts of the lake or other water bodies with minimal light. That’s why they got that name. Walleye are in plenty in Lake Gaston and are nocturnal. They can see well in low light and find nighttime perfect for searching for food. They head to the shallow waters in the dark to hunt small fish. Stocking fingerlings periodically helps to keep the walleye population in Lake Gaston healthy. Folks who fish in the lake have an 8-fish per person limit in North Carolina. In Virginia, the limit is 5 fish per person. Can You Boat in Lake Gaston? Boating is a favorite pass time in many lakes across the US. It’s permitted in Lake Gaston, but some rules govern boating in the lake. Folks who want to participate in boating in Virginia must prove to have taken a boating course. The rule includes all PCW boaters who want to spend time in Lake Gaston. You must meet set requirements if you want to use a motorized boat. North Carolina has similar rules for boaters in Lake Gaston. If you haven’t taken the boating course, it’s available for $40. There are also boating safety classes available all year that are run by the Lake Gaston Association Can You Camp in Lake Gaston? People enjoy numerous activities in and around Lake Gaston each year. While some prefer spending the day there and heading home, others enjoy camping. It’s possible to camp in Lake Gaston. It has a vast shoreline that’s easy to access, and campgrounds are worth checking out. Campgrounds are both in North Carolina and Virginia. Check out different places and what they have to offer. Lake Gaston has both public and private camping areas. Get to know the camping regulations set by North Carolina and Virginia. In addition, pack all necessary items to make the experience pleasurable. At the top of the list should be plenty of food and water for proper nourishment. What is There to Do in Lake Gaston for Kids? There’s no shortage of fun family activities for the kids in Lake Gaston. So, this makes it the perfect place for that weekend getaway or camping experience. The kids will have a blast participating in swimming, kayaking, boating, and picnicking. The areas around Lake Gaston also have lovely trails for hiking and enjoying nature. One of the main trails is the 1.25-mile-long Liberty Trail Hill. It’s easy hence good for kids who want to go exploring. Are There Alligators in Lake Gaston? Before you head to Lake Gaston for swimming, it’s essential to know the animals in the area. While Lake Gaston isn’t the ideal home for alligators, there have been occasional sightings. Still, they prefer the waters to the south, which are warmer. Lake Gaston has cool waters that make it hard for alligators to be active. They might wander into the lake during summer but leave as soon as it gets chilly. It’s important, therefore, to be cautious and on the lookout while swimming in Lake Gaston.