lake wylie alligators
South Carolina resident Jessica Plate posted a photograph to social media site Nextdoor recently that has some speculating about a monster in Lake Wylie. Jacob Cannon. Lake Wylie monster?" 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. A 5-foot-long alligator has just been discovered on the Catawba River in Belmont, NC, just north of Lake Wylie. People are advised . Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State, though alligators have been found occasionally, 80-pound invasive fish can frighten people by jumping into boats in Mississippi, Ghostly image captured along Lake James reignites Bigfoot fever in North Carolina, Driver arrested after video shows him nearly hitting students at their school bus stop. One of my twins had just jumped in the water to swim and gotten back on, said Christine Thomas. The Lake is home to several fish attractors that can help anglers catch various fish. 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. I got outta there," Cannon said. Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. All Rights Reserved. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. After a local resident found the creature while kayaking, he pulled it to shore and called animal control. 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. We started this blog as a place to go to when we had questions about buying our first home on the lake. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. Baits such as worms, artificial lures, and fly fishing can all be used to catch Spotted bass. 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. Captain Chris Nichols provides information on the best spots to catch them. 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. types of services we offer. Orella. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. "It was swimming out toward the bridge and just circling and I just said, 'That ain't no otter.' 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. Definitely will go back to the shore (with more people for evidence) to try and catch another glimpse!. Lake Norman is a little over twice as big. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? How should a boat sit on a Trailer? DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator, according to WSOC-TV. The South Fork River and Catawba River confluence is now submerged under Lake Wylie near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. He says alligators don't naturally inhabit the Lake, and doesn't know how the three got there, but has a theory. This story was originally published December 30, 2019, 7:40 AM. SCDOT says these York, Lancaster and Chester county roads are up next for repaving. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator. 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. 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. 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. Plate asked in the photo's accompanying text. I read somewhere, maybe Wikipedia, that a few alligators have been found in Lake Wylie. The Lake is also famous for water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming. 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. I spent time trying to catch it, but thought it was either caught or had moved, Medford said. Duke Power manages six public boat access areas on the lake. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 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. Sold: 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2415 sq. You can catch them with various baits and lures, but the water levels at Lake Wylie are constantly fluctuating, making the fishing difficult. What lakes in north Texas have alligators? Gator or monster snake? 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. The two returned to the spot todayin preparation for a tournament this weekend. It was in the same exact spot, Carnes said. I dont think itll mess with you.. In 2000, officers found a gator in the. "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. One person who viewed the photograph suggested it was a big nasty snake.. DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. Channel 9 was there Tuesday as officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. Medford learned of the gator, estimated to be about 20inches long, about two months ago when an angler contacted him with photos. Its not dangerous, said Medford, who isnt planning to continue the search for it. Are there snakes in Lake Wylie? The alligator population has thrived in South Carolina in recent years - so much so, that a hunting season was instituted in 2008. 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. This story was originally published April 9, 2015, 5:29 PM. 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). It was rumored to have been first spotted alive on Saturday, and then discovered dead, floating in the water, just off highway 74. A website is devoted to alleged sightings of it, which some say is a giant fish more than a monster snake. Simpson, others react on social media after Alex Murdaugh is found guilty, Strong storms, tornadoes possible in Midlands. 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 Lake is named after the Wylie family, who were the original owners of the land. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? They are also a good choice for experienced anglers because they are usually well-behaved and can provide a lot of sport. 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. [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]. Anglers can catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish at Lake Wylie. 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. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple . Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. 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. Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses, Plate said. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. Also, there is a FAKE alligator head floating around the docks at Papa Doc's Shore Club. 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 can't really answer how it got here. "Is this your boy?" The Singular Fortean Society (Tobias & Emily Wayland) 2016-2020. 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. 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. Pleasant Knoll, Gold Hill and the new Fort Mill Virtual Academy have seen leadership changes this summer. Jessica Plate remains curious about whatever it was she saw and intends to keep investigating. 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. The next day, Antonio Figueroa and his brother were fishing on their kayaks when they spotted the gator.