24 Mar 2017 Lake recreation season will begin on Saturday, March 25th
University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir will reopen for recreation on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Basic fees will be waived in honor of Lightning Brown Day.
On Saturday, March 25th, University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir will reopen for boating, fishing, picnicking and other recreation.
OWASA has designated March 25th as Lightning Brown Day in honor of the late Mr. Brown, a community activist and member of the OWASA Board of Directors in the mid-1990s. Boat rental, launching and lake fees except those for electric trolling motor rentals are waived on Lightning Brown Day.
“We invite everyone to enjoy the natural beauty and excellent fishing at our Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake,” said Johnny Riley, Senior Lakes Warden. “We encourage our patrons to always keep in mind that that safety is paramount,” he added.
Excellent fishing at the Cane Creek Reservoir attracts patrons from across NC. |
Lake recreation days and hours
Recreation hours are normally 6:30 AM to 6 PM.
University Lake | Friday, Saturday and Sunday |
Cane Creek Reservoir | Friday and Saturday |
The lakes will be open for the Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day holidays. As in past years, the lakes will be closed for the Good Friday holiday (April 14th)
Location of OWASA’s lakes
University Lake is on the west side of Carrboro near Jones Ferry Road. The recreation area is at the end of University Lake Drive, which can be reached via Old Fayetteville Road south of Jones Ferry Road. The Cane Creek Reservoir is about 8 miles west of Carrboro on the north side of NC 54, just west of Stanford Road.
Safety
OWASA’s lakes are alcohol-free. Life jackets are generally available for adults and children, and OWASA does not charge for using life jackets. Some people may need to use their own life jackets due to unusual size or other special conditions. Lake users are required to use life jackets under safety rules.
Fees
For OWASA customers and Orange County residents | |
| Canoe and flat-bottom boat rental Kayak rental Lake use fee, ages 12-64 Lake use –children under 12 Lake use — seniors 65 and over Private boat launching Electric trolling motor rental | $4.50/half day plus lake use fee $15 plus lake use fee $4.50/half day $2/half day Free $3.50 per boat plus lake use fee $15/half day |
Non-Orange County residents | |
| Canoe and flat-bottom boat rental Kayak rental Lake use fee, ages 12-64 Lake use –children under 12, seniors 65 and over Private boat launching Electric trolling motor rental | $8/half day plus lake use fee $20 plus lake use fee $5.50/half day $2.50/half day $7 per boat plus lake use fee $22/half day |
Season passes are available for OWASA customers and Orange County residents. Please click here for more information.
Boating and fishing
OWASA offers kayaks, canoes and flat-bottomed boats for rent.
Citizens may use small private boats if they are brought on a car or in a truck. (Trailers are not allowed due to parking limits.) To help keep aquatic weeds out of the lakes, boats must be cleaned prior to arrival and inspected by OWASA. Aquatic weeds cause problems for fish and water treatment.
To help protect water quality, OWASA allows only electric motors, which are available for rent from OWASA. Private electric motors are also inspected.
University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are stocked with bass, crappie, catfish and a variety of sunfish. A State fishing license is necessary except on July 4th.
Citizens with disabilities will receive assistance from OWASA staff as needed to enjoy boating and using the lake recreation area. The fishing piers at University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are accessible.
Picnicking: Grills and tables are available at both lakes.
Last day of the 2017 lake recreation season: Sunday, November 12.
For more information:
- Johnny Riley, Senior Lakes Warden, 919-942-5790 or jriley@owasa.org
- Bob Glosson, Lake Warden, 919-942-8007 or rglosson@owasa.org
- https://www.owasa.org/recreation