OWASA lakes, University Lake in Carrboro and Cane Creek in Chapel Hill, reopen Saturday, March 28. Opening day is Lightning Brown Day and all lake fees and rental rates except motors are waived. Hours are 6:30 to 6.
University Lake is open Friday-Sunday and Cane Creek Friday-Saturday plus most holidays except Good Friday through October. Lakes offer fishing, boat rentals (kayak, canoe, flatbottom), birdwatching, hiking, picnicking, sunbathing. Remember to release all of your catch at Cane Creek due to PFAs.
Hours and fees are the same as last year. Swimming, wading, sailing is not allowed at either reservoir. Fishers need to have a N.C. fishing license.
Lake use fees are charged daily after opening day for all visitors except Orange County seniors. Season passes are available. Small private boats can be launched for a fee after inspection by lake staffers.
They’ll continue requiring reservations for visitors arriving before 10 a.m., a leftover rule from the covid era. Sign up on the OWASA website before Wednesday each week for early arrival. Otherwise, no registration is needed.
OWASA plans to step marketing for the lakes this year after attendance and income slipped slightly last season. UL was closed for several weeks for cleanup after Chantal flooded the region last July.
Attendance totaled 5,835 at CC, 3,222 at UL in ‘25. Most UL visitors are from Orange County, but that’s not so at Cane Creek with big numbers from Alamance, Chatham and others.
Other Area Lakes
Little River, a Durham reservoir on Orange Factory Rd. in north Durham, operates Friday-Monday 6:30-6 for boating and fishing. Fees are charged. No personal boats allowed at LR; they rent kayaks, canoes, jon boats but citizens need to bring their own trolling motor battery. Lake Michie remains closed due to flooding damage from Chantal that wrecked the dock and platform. LR is open holidays.
Boat ramps at Lake Wheeler, Raleigh, are closed due to low water level. Call 919-996-6740 for updates.
Graham-Mebane Lake on Bason Rd., Mebane, has fishing and boating, sunrise to sunset, closed Tuesday. Fees are charged. For info call 919-563-6544.
Jordan Lake day use areas are free for now, but entrance fees are charged weekends in April, May and September. Daily fees are collected Memorial Day through Labor Day.
J.B.