Lookout Shoals Lake, North Carolina, USA

Also known as:  Lake Lookout, Lookout Shoals Reservoir

Lookout Shoals Lake is a lakefront living gem in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. The 1,300-acre reservoir is known affectionately as Lake Lookout to the many residents who live in the area’s gated communities. Created along the Catawba River between Lake Hickory and Lake Norman, the reservoir’s main purpose is hydropower generation. Now, it is also being eyed as a major source of water for the City of…
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    • All About Lookout Shoals Lake, NC

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - North Carolina - Piedmont Region, NC -

    Lookout Shoals Lake is a lakefront living gem in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. The 1,300-acre reservoir is known affectionately as Lake Lookout to the many residents who live in the area’s gated communities. Created along the Catawba River between Lake Hickory and Lake Norman, the reservoir’s main purpose is hydropower generation. Now, it is also being eyed as a major source of water for the City of Statesville about ten miles away.

    The long, irregular shoreline consists of many narrow coves and arms, giving the lake a feeling of endless, meandering waters. Nearly 40% of the shoreline is designated for preservation, with a similar amount devoted to housing development. Most homesites on the waterfront are over an acre, and homes are sited well back from the shore. Some developments have permits for their own waterfront docks, while other developments have communal docks with boat slips. The 1,300 acres of water provide plenty of space for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, swimming, pontooning and sailing. The narrow arms and coves lend themselves to kayaking and canoeing.

    There are no public beaches at Lookout Shoals Lake, but the public has access by way of two boat launch locations that Duke Energy maintains in conjunction with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The lake is a popular spot for anglers seeking largemouth bass, crappie, panfish and several varieties of catfish. Striped bass are stocked yearly. The Wildlife Resource Commission has worked diligently to enhance fish habitat, improving native aquatic vegetation stands to promote spawning and food sources. Fishing tournaments are held at the reservoir on a regular basis. A special canoe launch site is located below the Lake Hickory Dam at Catawba County’s Riverbend Park for floating the stretch of river down into Lookout Shoals Lake. An angler’s trail provides bank fishing.

    Duke Energy relicensing documents state that future projects include improving the Sharon Access Area and the Lookout Shoals Access Area to add restrooms, more parking and better launch facilities. Another access point at the upper end of the lake will be developed which includes primitive camping. A walking and hiking trail will be developed from Riverbend Park along the lakeshore down to the new access area. A tailrace fishing area will be created, with a portage path around the Lookout Shoals Dam. Riverbend Park itself covers 450 acres, with 12 miles of trails winding among upland forest and wetland wildlife habitat. A small fishing lake allows pond fishing.

    Lookout Shoals Lake’s location makes it a popular residential area for those who work in nearby Statesville or Hickory. The lake is less than an hour from Charlotte. Because the primary purpose of the reservoir is to produce electrical power, water levels often vary. In recent years, too much water has been more of a problem than low water levels; heavier-than-normal local rains caused flooding in low-lying areas where the lake rose over the banks. Required setbacks keep homes safely above the reach of high water, but some roads were flooded. Duke Energy is working with local stakeholders to maintain better stability of water levels in such instances, but it isn’t uncommon to have the water level vary by six feet.

    Both Statesville to the east and Hickory to the west of Lookout Shoals Lake offer a wide variety of lodgings, restaurants and local attractions. Several museums detail the rich history of central North Carolina and Catawba County. Restored 18th century mansions, covered bridges and locations of interest are spread throughout the county. Statesville’s Iredell Museums feature both contemporary art exhibits and activities for kids guaranteed to promote fun and learning.

    One of the more unusual locations to visit is the small town of Hiddenite, located north of Statesville. Here visitors can visit the Hiddenite Center, featuring a restored home on the National Registry of Historic Places. The center holds ever-changing art exhibits, ballroom dancing classes, square dancing and events reflecting the history of the region. Also in the small town of Hiddenite, the Emerald Hollow Mine is open for public ‘prospecting’. Besides emeralds, the unique geological area holds sapphire, garnet, aquamarine, topaz, rutile, amethyst, tourmaline, citrine, clear and smoky quartz crystals along with the exceedingly rare Hiddenite-found only in this location. Educational tours are offered, and a gift shop and lapidary service offer found gemstones both raw and in unique settings. A commercial campground nearby makes this the ideal family vacation stay.

    Many small inns, bed & breakfasts and guest cottages are available in the area surrounding Lookout Shoals Lake, although lodgings on the lake itself may be hard to find. Real estate is still available, although not many more building sites remain. Not nearly as busy and densely-populated as Lake Norman or Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake won’t remain a secret much longer. Bring the canoe and the fishing gear and stop by for a day. You’ll find much to love at Lake Lookout and in the surrounding area.

    Things to Do at Lookout Shoals Lake

    These are some activities in the Lookout Shoals Lake, NC area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lookout Shoals Lake?

    Lookout Shoals Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Lookout Shoals Lake

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    More Sites to Book a Lookout Shoals Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Lookout Shoals Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lookout Shoals Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Duke Energy

    Surface Area: 1,305 acres

    Shoreline Length: 27 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 838 feet

    Average Depth: 24 feet

    Water Volume: 24,995 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1916

    Lookout Shoals Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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