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about 220 miles

Catawba River

Heavily impounded, the Catawba descends from the Blue Ridge through a chain of lakes including James, Rhodhiss, Hickory, Norman, Mountain Island and Wylie, passing Charlotte and Rock Hill into South Carolina.

N50 mi
Course of the river, simplified. Orange dots are boat ramps and launches, blue squares are bait shops. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Weather at the Catawba River (National Weather Service) ↗

River facts

LengthAbout 220 miles
SourceBlue Ridge near Ridgecrest, McDowell County, North Carolina
MouthBecomes the Wateree River at Lake Wateree, South Carolina
StateNorth Carolina

Dams include Lake James, Rhodhiss, Oxford, Lookout Shoals, Cowans Ford, Mountain Island, Wylie and Wateree.

Boat ramps and launches

Orange dots on the map. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps. Public ramps and launches along the Catawba River in North Carolina, from OpenStreetMap. The list may be incomplete, so check the state wildlife agency for current access.

Closest bait shops

Blue squares on the map. Tap a name to open the shop's website, or its location in Google Maps if it has none listed. Bait and tackle shops closest to the river's ramps, from OpenStreetMap. Call ahead for hours and live bait.

Fishing regulations

Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:

Lakes on or near the Catawba River

Lakes in our guide on or near this river:

Lake NormanNCLake HickoryNCLake RhodhissNCLookout Shoals LakeNC

Facts from Catawba River (Wikipedia) ↗ · Boat ramps and bait shops: OpenStreetMap contributors · River course: U.S. Geological Survey

← North Carolina rivers · All rivers

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map to follow the river past roads and towns. Red pins are boat ramps and launches; blue pins are bait shops. Tap a pin for directions.

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