Lake Wylie – The oldest lake on the Catawba River

Lake Wylie is one of four lakes built on the Catawba River. It is also the oldest lake on the Catawba River. The original dam was constructed in 1904 and was rebuilt in 1924.

About the Lake

The current owner of Lake Wylie is Duke Energy which owns and operates a number of lakes in South Carolina and North Carolina. Duke Energy operates Lake Keowee, Lake Greenwood, Lake Wylie, and Lake Wateree.

Lake Wylie is very unique in the fact that there are many towns very close to the lake. On the South Carolina side lies the township of Lake Wylie which is located at the Buster Boyd Bridge on Highway 49. Below the dam lies the cities of Rock Hill and Fort Mill located near I-77.

On the North Carolina side are the cities of Gastonia and Charlotte. Gastonia is located a few miles from the upper reaches of the lake and Charlotte is about 10 miles east of the lake on Highway 49 after you cross the Buster Boyd Bridge. Also, a large theme park called Carowinds, is located near here about 14 miles away in the outskirts of Charlotte.

Specifications

• Major Highway Access I-77 * 274 * 49 * 557
• Length 10 Miles
• Full Pool Elevation 569.4 Feet Above MSL
• Size 12,455 Acres
• Dam Completion 1926
• Project Management Duke Power Company
• Maximum Depth 94 Feet (SCDHEC)
• Mean Depth 23 Feet (SCDHEC)

Fish Species

• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Crappie
• Walleye
• Catfish
• Spotted Bass
• White Bass
• Striped Bass

Lake Wylie quick facts

How deep is Lake Wylie?

Lake Wylie averages about 20 feet and reaches roughly 82 feet near Wylie Dam. First impounded back in 1904, it is the oldest lake on the Catawba River and straddles the Carolinas line just southwest of Charlotte. Duke Energy moves water down the Catawba chain through Wylie, so the level stays fairly stable through the recreation season.

Fishing on Lake Wylie

Wylie has long been rated one of the best bass lakes in the Southeast, holding both largemouth and smallmouth along with white bass, crappie, perch, chain pickerel, bream and catfish. The warm-water discharge from the Allen Steam Station concentrates baitfish and gamefish in winter, making for one of the better cold-weather bites around Charlotte. Duke Energy maintains six public boat-access areas around the lake.

Things to do and real estate

Sitting on Charlotte’s doorstep, Wylie is as much a lifestyle lake as a fishing lake. The communities of Lake Wylie and Tega Cay have grown quickly as the region has boomed, and waterfront homes here trade briskly thanks to easy access to Charlotte, Rock Hill and the airport. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, McDowell Nature Preserve and a string of marinas and lakeside restaurants give visitors plenty to do. If you have a Lake Wylie home or rental to feature here, get in touch through our contact form.

Explore more South Carolina lakes

• Lake Wateree — the next big lake down the Catawba chain
• Lake Fishing Creek — another Catawba River lake between the two

Attractions

• McDowell Park – Located on the North Carolina side just over the Highway 49 Bridge.  It includes a nature preserve with camping areas, four boat launching ramps, and seven miles of hiking trails.  This park is owned and managed by Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.

McDowell Park Information

• YMCA Camp Thunderbird – Located on the South Carolina side of the lake beside of the Highway 49 Bridge.  This is camp run by the YMCA and offers children ages 7-16 the opportunity to go to a lakeside camp.  They offer day camp, resident camp, and much more.  They also take donations to held disadvantaged children attend camp.

www.campthunderbird.org

• T-Bones Restaurant – Located on the South Carolina side of the lake at the Duke Energy Buster Boyd Bridge Access (Highway 49).  You can tie your boat up to their boat dock and then eat a great meal.

Lake House Rentals Available on Lake Wylie

Location

Lake Wylie on google maps

South Carolina Outdoor Information

• SCDNR Boating Information
• SCDNR Fishing Information
• SCDNR Fishing License Information

Lake Wylie FAQ

How deep is Lake Wylie?

It averages about 20 feet and reaches roughly 82 feet at its deepest, near Wylie Dam.

How big is Lake Wylie and where is it?

About 13,400 acres with 325 miles of shoreline on the Catawba River, straddling South Carolina (York County) and North Carolina just southwest of Charlotte.

Is Lake Wylie good for fishing?

Yes — it is one of the Southeast’s top bass lakes for largemouth and smallmouth, plus white bass, crappie, perch and catfish, with a productive winter bite near the Allen Steam Station.

What is there to do at Lake Wylie?

Boating, fishing, marinas and lakeside dining, plus nearby Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and McDowell Nature Preserve — all minutes from Charlotte.