Boating and Fishing

New - Bass Lake Boat rental reservations Can now be Made online!

Boating

  • Boats are rented 7 days a week Memorial Day - Labor Day subject to adequate staffing and weather conditions
  • Boat rentals begin at 9am and end one and a half hours prior to sunset
  • No personal watercraft of any type is allowed on Bass Lake
  • Small children and dogs count toward seating limits

Online Boat Rental Instructions

  • Click on link here to start: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/register
  • Click on Sign In/Register in upper right hand corner
  • Login in if you already have an account or Sign up now if you do not have an account
  • Once you have signed in:
    1. click on the search button
    2. click on all facilities search
    3. pick a registration date
    4. pick a beginning time
    5. click search
  • You will then be able to scroll down and see what boats are available for the date and time you selected.
  • Rental times are shown in ½ hour increments which means you will need to select 2 (1/2 hour) time slots that are back to back to satisfy the 1 hour minimum rental time requirement.
  • Once you add to your cart it will ask you for a headcount. If you enter more people than the boat holds, it will give you an error.
  • Boat Capacities are:
    • Canoe & Gheenoe: 3
    • Jon Boat: 4
  • It will then bring you to the waiver page. It will ask you at the top of the page for reservation purpose., please enter: Boat Rental. You must read this waiver and then enter your name and sign (You must be over 18 to sign the waiver). This waiver will be good for one year.
  • Once you have completed the waiver, it will take you to the payment screen. Once you complete payment, it will generate a confirmation receipt.

Boating Prices

  • Non-motorized boat $10/hour
    • Canoe (seats 3) 
    • Rowboat (seats 4)
  • Motorized boat $15/hour
    • Gheenoe boat (seats 3) 

Boating Information Video

Fishing

  • Free to the public
  • The lake is stocked with 1500 lbs. of catfish every other month mid-Spring - mid-Fall
  • Concession stand carries a variety of live and packaged bait
  • If you need a pole, sign up for the Tackle Loaner Program to borrow equipment for free
  • People ages 16 and older need a North Carolina Inland fishing license which can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org or at local stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods

Fishing Limits

  • Bass – No more than 5 per person, per day, with a minimum size of 14 inches
  • Sunfish and crappie – No limits
  • Catfish – No more than 6 per person, per day, with a minimum size of 12 inches
Bass Lake Park Fishing Pier

Lake Water Quality Information

Bass Lake is classified as a lake for recreational boating and fishing and does not allow contact activities such as swimming.  Holly Springs works closely with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Water Resources Division and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to monitor and test the water quality for recreational use periodically throughout the year.

On occasion, depending on lake conditions, algal blooms can occur on the lake. Holly Springs follows the notification guidance provided by the state. For more information on algal blooms and updates on any fish advisories throughout the state, please see:

Facts and information about algae in North Carolina waterways:

  • Algae are responsive to the physical and chemical conditions in the aquatic environment
  • Their rapid reproduction may cause blooms
  • Most blooms occur when favorable environmental conditions exist, such as an extended photoperiod (sunlight) during summer, sufficient nutrients, and slow moving or stagnant waters
  • Less than one percent of algal blooms actually produce toxins
  • Not all algal blooms are harmful, and some can actually be beneficial. Phytoplankton are found at the base of the marine food chain therefore, all other life in the ocean relies on phytoplankton
  • Blooms may be particularly beneficial to certain fish species found in Bass Lake