Rankin Lake
Rankin Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 10
Rankin Lake is a 32-hectare (approximately 79-acre) city-owned emergency water supply reservoir located in Gaston County, North Carolina. Constructed in 1925, this small but productive lake has served as both a water source for the city of Gastonia and a recreational fishing destination. After being closed to public access for over twenty years to protect water quality, the lake reopened to the public following a major park renovation completed in August 2012. The lake now features enhanced fishing infrastructure including two fishing piers, automated fish feeders, and artificial offshore fish attractors deployed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Rankin Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Grass Carp
Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Warmouth Sunfish
Lepomis gulosus
White Catfish
Ameiurus catus
White Perch
Morone americana
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Rankin Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Rankin Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
North Carolina licenses and regulations
North Carolina Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
North Carolina Fishing License
Youth under age 16 are exempt from the requirements of any fishing license and trout privilege license.
North Carolina Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
North Carolina Stream Access Laws
If a boater can float the water, it is navigable and can be used for recreation. Navigable waters are in the public trust, including streambeds. If the navigable water is tidal, public use extends to all waters that cover an average high tide.
Take Rankin Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Rankin Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Rankin Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Rankin Lake and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
Fishing near Rankin Lake
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