Lake Mattamuskeet NC

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 12:46:52 AM

Lake Mattamuskeet is a federal wildlife refuge in Hyde county NC. You can crab there with a limit of 12 per person. The crabs get huge.
These are pictures of the one of many canals that lead into a large lake that I crabbed at.

This is an old mill at the main office area.

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 01:08:59 AM

An 8 3/4 and 9" crab plaque in the office.

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 01:15:20 AM

That's me at the middle of the canal, all spots produced.

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 01:16:02 AM

Steve you remember this one

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 12:40:40 PM

Mid canal

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 12:42:22 PM

The end of the canal where lake meet, Another nice area to lay traps and bring a group.

Joe Crabs · June 13, 2004, 12:45:55 PM

The end of a great trip. Well worth the ride. Planning to go again in Sept or Oct when the crabs will be much bigger, Yeah Baby.

Steve · June 14, 2004, 08:17:33 AM

Wow... you can actually crab from the shore! The grasses were so high when we went that we had to crab from the lock itself.

Joe Crabs · June 14, 2004, 11:35:32 AM

Steve, we only crabbed on the Waupoppin Canal. If you didn't go down the road you would have never seen the two cleared areas. middle and end. Or maybe they just started clearing them, either way you know what to look for. I may go back in July and I think I am bringing my 9' raft. The end of the canal is a perfect launch into the lake.

It was infested Steve, alot of one claws, no claws, clipped shell crabs, a real battleground going on out there.

Steve · June 14, 2004, 11:41:08 AM

How did you get to the mouth of the canal? The road was gated when I was there. Did you proceed on foot?

Joe Crabs · June 14, 2004, 11:42:24 AM

No gate Steve, went right up the road, drove right up to the water bank.

Steve · June 14, 2004, 11:47:47 AM

So, you are saying that from the Waupoppin canal lock, you turned left and proceeded to the shore of the lake? When I was there, there was a big metal gate near a small shed which blocked access to the road.

Steve · June 14, 2004, 11:56:21 AM

Here's a map of Lake Landing and Waupoppin. I've added the locations of the gates when I last visited.

Joe Crabs · June 14, 2004, 01:12:57 PM

I know exactly where the gate was, the shed is still there. No gate at Waupoppin Steve, The first bank would have been about 1/4 mile past the gate that you marked. We didn't try Lake Landing where they said they were getting 8's in the morning because a) I didn't get up until 11:30, B) there was someone there and we didn't want to crowd them. I don't know how it could get any better accept for size then we did in the heat of the afternoon. But interesting that the canal is a shorter distance to the lake.

Joe Crabs · June 14, 2004, 01:14:46 PM

Actuall Steve the first bank is where the road intersects the other creek water on the map, then the other cleared bank is at the end of the canal.

Linda · July 07, 2004, 12:43:24 PM

I Live in the Western Part of NC. Where is Lake Mattamuskeet NC? Can you use a canoe on this lake?
Thanks, Linda

Steve · July 09, 2004, 08:10:42 AM

Quote from: Linda on July 07, 2004, 12:43:24 PM
I Live in the Western Part of NC. Where is Lake Mattamuskeet NC? Can you use a canoe on this lake?
Thanks, Linda

Canoe? Yes. The lake is located on the Eastern part of NC, about an hour's drive south of Manteo. You can't miss it on a map... it's the largest freshwater lake in NC.