RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 24, 2011) – Water levels in Rhodes Pond, a popular fishing and boating destination in Cumberland County, are lower than normal because of repairs the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is currently conducting on the pond’s dam and spillway. The repair work should be completed within the next two weeks. Once the spillway gate is closed, water levels in the pond will slowly rise and the pond should return to normal levels within a few months. “Completed work not only ensures that the integrity of the structure is sound, but also ensures that public safety is not at risk due to dam failure during a heavy rainfall event,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “Although water levels are down, fishing continues to be good, with both bank and boating anglers reporting nice catches of largemouth bass and sunfish,” said Keith Ashley, a fisheries bi

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 17, 2011) – The 2011-12 N.C. Coastal Boating Guide is now available from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The newly designed, free guide features a map of the state’s coastline, along with information about boating safety, museums and parks, boating access areas, recreation, licenses and fishing piers. It also offers a guide to the Town of Oak Island, along with facts on the Intracoastal Waterway and other coastal resources. For more information on boating in North Carolina or to order a copy of the guide, visit Boating Publications. Guides also can be ordered by calling the Division of Engineering Services at (919) 707-0150.

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 14, 2011) – N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Crews have recently completed renovations on the Elkin Boating Access Area in Surry County on the Yadkin River. The Commission has given the Crater Park site a new ramp, docks and parking spaces. The site is also now fully ADA compliant.  “The Elkin Boating Access Area is in a great location for boaters in the Northern part of our state,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “It’s been completely refurbished, and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Town of Elkin to provide free, 24-hour access to North Carolina’s public waters.” For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of Boating Access Areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating_waterways.

RALEIGH, N.C. (January 4, 2011) – As part of Duke Energy’s work on Lake James dams, all six ramps at Black Bear Boating Access Area are closed while the lake is lowered. The Wildlife Resources Commission is working with Duke Energy to open at least one Black Bear ramp by mid-January. Two ramps at Linville are currently closed. These ramps are scheduled to reopen in spring 2011, when Duke Energy completes its work and the lake refills. The Bridgewater Public Fishing Area, located downstream from the dam at the Catawba River tailrace, is not currently impacted. For up-to-date information on lake levels, visit www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp or call 800-829-LAKE (5253). For more information on boating and fishing in North Carolina, including an interactive map of Boating Access Areas and a list of more than 500 public fishing access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating_waterways.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 22, 2010) – The New Year will usher in new leadership roles within the Division of Law Enforcement of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.   Maj. Keith Templeton, supervisor for field operations, will retire effective Jan. 1. His successor will be Jack Staley, previously a captain in District 5, a jurisdiction that includes Alamance, Rockingham, Orange, Granville, Durham, Person, Caswell, Randolph, Chatham, Lee and Guilford counties. “I'm confident that the transition will be a smooth one,” Templeton said. “I am pleased with the direction that the division is headed and I'm sure there are some exciting times on the horizon.” Staley will be responsible for supervising a statewide hierarchy of some 200 uniformed wildlife officers who enforce the fish and game regulations and boating laws of the state. He is a 27-year veteran of wildlife enforcement and brings 19 years of field supervision to the offi