Lake Wylie is a reservoir or man-made lake in the U.S. states of South Carolina and North Carolina. In 1905, the Catawba Power Company became part of the Southern Power Company. The two returned to the spot todayin preparation for a tournament this weekend. His friend may be next. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. The Catawba Nuclear Generating Station is located on the south-western part of the lake, and draws its cooling water from the lake. Ive heard a few people say theyve seen them on the lake. 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. Please, does anyone know what it was! she added. Plate asked in the photo's accompanying text. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. "It's possible somebody was along the coast caught a few and thought it would be funny to throw them in there," said Roberts. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission District 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. 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. Its likely that little alligator is probably going to die here, he said. Photo of Mysterious Aquatic Animal Sparks Speculation in South Carolina 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 home to a large number of white perch. You can buy your fishing license online now. types of services we offer. LOOK: Viewer sends in photos of alligator on Lake Wylie An excellent location for fishing for crappie is behind the dam. lake Wylie, NC - askthemoldgirl.com Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses, Plate said. Two fishermen got a shock April 5 while fishing on Lake Wylie. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator, according to WSOC-TV. Captain Chris Nichols provides information on the best spots to catch them. Are there alligators in Lake Wylie SC? - WijzeAntwoorden Have a look, Commentary: Large or small, make life better for them all on Change a Pets Life Day, SC prosecutors will seek life sentence, not death penalty, for Alex Murdaugh in murder trial. 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. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. Jacob Cannon said that he was hanging out with friends Saturday night at Belmont's Loftin Riverfront park when he saw the reptile. [1], In October 1960, the power station was renamed the Wylie Hydroelectric Station, and the lake was renamed Lake Wylie in honor of W. Gil Wylie, one of the founders of the original Catawba Power Company that had created the lake and become Duke Power.[1]. One of my twins had just jumped in the water to swim and gotten back on, said Christine Thomas. An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. 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. Lake Wylie, like its neighbor Lake Norman to the north, was created by damming the Catawba River. The bank around Lake Wylie is cleared of brush, which makes it easy for anglers to find their way around the Lake. This website participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I got outta there," Cannon said. 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. Please, does anyone know what it was!. Personally, Im not one to worry about that kind of stuff, he said. People are advised . Its not dangerous, said Medford, who isnt planning to continue the search for it. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? Catfish and Shad are familiar food sources for largemouth bass, making this spot ideal for fishing with bait and lures replicating these foods. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. Having lived in Lake Wylie for 11 years, Thomas said shes heard rumors about alligators in the lake. Gator or monster snake? "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. 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. 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. 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. Neither lake, nor the Catawba River which connects them, has any indigenous alligators, although several alligators are found along the Catawba each year. 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. 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. Whittier Narrows Recreation Area - Parks & Recreation "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. Alligator spotted on Lake Wylie | Charlotte Observer Does lake wylie have alligators? - hvasvrs.afphila.com 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. There is no way, this creature was way too big! she said. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. I always thought it was a fib people told. Lake Wylie monster? Jessica Plate posted with her photo. "Lake Wylie monster?" Jessica Plate posted with her photo. The alligator population has thrived in South Carolina in recent years - so much so, that a hunting season was instituted in 2008. SCDOT says these York, Lancaster and Chester county roads are up next for repaving. 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. Fisherman Carson Orellana and friend Chris Carnes shared this video with Lake Wylie Pilot of an alligator spotted April 5 while fishing on Lake Wylie. Lake Wylie is about 30 miles east of Charlotte and 20 miles north of Rock Hill. 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. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. About 60% of the 1,200 miles of shoreline are in SC, the other 40% in NC. A 5-foot-long alligator has just been discovered on the Catawba River in Belmont, NC, just north of Lake Wylie. Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. 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. Anglers Carson Orellana and Chris Carnes trolled up on a 2-foot alligator sitting on a log near Copperhead Island Access Area. The truth is, Alligators do not live in Lake Wylie. "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped because they arent native to the area. However, because it is a popular fishing destination, much fish will likely be in the Lake. Are there alligators at Lake o the Pines? - reptilefaq.com Lake Wylie, like its neighbor Lake Norman to the north, was created by damming the Catawba River. Gator or monster snake? Photo at South Carolina lake resurrects - WBTV The registered business location is at 3001 Lake Terrace Drive, Wylie, TX 75098. Which is better Lake Norman or Lake Wylie? Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. 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. Definitely will go back to the shore (with more people for evidence) to try and catch another glimpse!. Within hours of it being posted online, talk of alligators, giant water snakes and a monster were being shared on Nextdoor.com, a community networking site. The Singular Fortean Society earns a fee as an Amazon Associate for qualifying purchases. Canyon Lake Texas: The Most Beautiful Place in Texas. Is photo proof of monster in South Carolina lake? | Charlotte Observer Hes responded to fishing lures as if interested, Medford said. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The children are scared to death," said Orr. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. "I don't want. Ive been fishing Lake Wylie for about 10 years, he said. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!. Lake Wylie Fishing - Best Spots, Species & More - Lake Access 3 alligators spotted in Lake Wylie - YouTube 3 alligators spotted in Lake Wylie 36,965 views May 13, 2009 22 Dislike Share Wcnc Newsroom 8.92K subscribers Three alligators have been. You can catch them using a variety of baits, but scavenging is the most common method. The largemouth bass is a widespread species of fish to catch in Lake Wylie. All Rights Reserved. Anglers can also catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, and shad at Lake Wylie. Anglers can obtain loaner tackle at the Latta Plantation Nature Center. We welcome stories and community members from anywhere people experience the impossible. They said gators are natural in the Catawba River near Lake Wateree, but getting that far past all of the dams is very unusual. #Alligator found on #LakeWylieSC story at 5 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/g9iFgYouzb. [3] This dam impounded the Catawba River and created Lake Catawba, which was utilized to create hydro-electric power. Allen Steam Station located on the northern part of the lake (west of Charlotte) also draws its cooling water from the lake. Lake Wylie is a popular spot for Spotted bass fishing. Bluegill can be caught using a variety of baits, such as worms, minnows, and even jigs. He also urges anglers to move to another spot. BELMONT, N.C. An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. Mountain Island Lake - Wikipedia Plate told McClatchy news she wasnt aware of the river snake myth until she started reading the responses posted to the photo. Personally, Im not one to worry about that kind of stuff, he said. 05-06-2015, 02:58 PM CarolinaWoman : 10,109 posts, read 10,395,323 times Reputation: 8573. BELMONT, NC (WTVD) -- An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator. The next day, Antonio Figueroa and his brother were fishing on their kayaks when they spotted the gator. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. For the most part, if theyre there, people do detect them.. Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. The nature center also has a pier where anglers can fish. 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. South Carolina resident Jessica Plate posted a photograph to social media site Nextdoor recently that has some speculating about a monster in Lake Wylie. LAKE WYLIE, S.C. (Mark Price/Charlotte Observer) - The legend of a monster snake in the Catawba River dates back centuries, but some see new proof in a grainy photo taken over the weekend at Sunset Point on Lake Wylie. She thinks the sensible explanation is that it was an alligator, despite the fact alligators dont live in Lake Wylie. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. Never seen an alligator in the Catawba River, but the local media has reported alligator . I read somewhere, maybe Wikipedia, that a few alligators have been found in Lake Wylie. Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses. The wake it made was enormous! As it turns out, the white inhabitants of the Catawba River Valley had their own beliefs that some mysterious creature was swimming in the Catawba. 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. It definitely freaked us out.. "The first sighting was Friday. 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). On Tuesday officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. No, there are no alligators in Lake Wylie. Troopers obtain arrest warrants on driver who blew past the bus flashing red lights and stop arm. It was in the same exact spot, Carnes said. One person who viewed the photograph suggested it was a big nasty snake.. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. He must live back there.. Alligator sighting 2015, Lake Wylie, SC - YouTube BELMONT, NC (WTVD) -- An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. 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. (805) 252-5894. 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.. Are there any alligators in Lake Murray SC? wildlife control services; wildlife removal; wildlife remediation; wildlife prevention Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. Plate took the photo at Sunset Point on Lake Wylie in South Carolina last Saturday around 7:15 pm, and since posting it to Nextdoor on Sunday, the picture has garnered significant speculation from people who have tentatively identified its subject as everything from an alligator to a floating log to some sort of water monster. The Lake is home to several fish attractors that can help anglers catch various fish. The Singular Fortean Society is based out of Madison, Wisconsin, but operates globally. NC family spots alligator on Lake Wylie | FOX8 WGHP 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.. Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. Channel 9 was there Tuesday as officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. "It looked . Ive been fishing Lake Wylie for about 10 years, he said. The truth is, Alligators do not live in Lake Wylie. This story was originally published August 13, 2014, 10:00 PM. 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. Heres why some opposed that Panthers deal, and why York County approved it anyway. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. I dont think itll mess you.. 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. There are several fishing spots at Lake Wylie. How Deep is Lake Superior? 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). Mountain Island Lake is fed by the Catawba River, and is the smallest of the three man-made lakes that border Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie).Mountain Island Lake is managed by Charlotte-based company Duke Energy.The primary function of Mountain Island Lake is to provide drinking water for over 1 million residents of Charlotte and . Are there snakes in Lake Wylie? According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Medford said its likely someone released the gator into Lake Wylie. "About 4 years ago, I was out on my dock and we were feeding the geese, and all of a sudden one went down and it was hollering and hollering," she said. In August, kayakers spotted a 2-foot gator near Copperhead Island. Are there alligators in Lake Wateree? - TimesMojo The license type is Registered Nurse. I also heard the lake is not very clean. His friend may be next. Why fans love 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. [Different Ways Fish Travel to Isolated Bodies of Water]. In conclusion alligators are not going to invade lake Wylie so there is no reason to be worried. Lake Wylie is a reservoir or man-made lake in the U.S. states of South Carolina and North Carolina. The lake has a surface area of approximately 13,443 acres (54.361 km2) with 325 miles (523km) of shoreline, and stretches from the Mountain Island Dam, south of Mountain Island Lake in North Carolina to the Wylie Dam on the south end of the lake.