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W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, North Carolina, USA

Also known as:  W. Kerr Scott Lake

W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is a 1,475-acre reservoir located near Wilkesboro, North Carolina in the Mountains tourism region. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1962 for flood control, the lake also offers a fresh water supply, recreation, and home to a wide variety of wildlife and several endangered plants. The reservoir and dam were named for William Kerr Scott, the former Governor of North…
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    • All About W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - North Carolina - Mountains Region, NC -

    W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is a 1,475-acre reservoir located near Wilkesboro, North Carolina in the Mountains tourism region. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1962 for flood control, the lake also offers a fresh water supply, recreation, and home to a wide variety of wildlife and several endangered plants. The reservoir and dam were named for William Kerr Scott, the former Governor of North Carolina and a U.S Senator.

    W. Kerr Scott Reservoir sits amid 3,754 acres of land on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Tent camping and RV camping are available at several campgrounds on and around the lake. Camping facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, potable water, playgrounds, basketball courts, swimming areas, BBQ grills, picnic areas, and sites with RV hook-ups. Additional lodging and vacation rentals of all kinds can be found in the town of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, about a ten minute drive from the lake.

    Fishing in W. Kerr Scott Reservoir can be fun for the entire family. Fish in the lake include channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, and tiger muskellunge. For non-anglers, there are designated swimming areas with beaches, a marina, and a visitor center with a museum and bookstore. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Hunting is allowed on designated Wildlife Management Area game lands.

    Hikers and bikers will be drawn to the numerous world-class mountain biking trails that surround the scenic shores of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and crisscross through the foothills. The trails range from beginner to advanced and offer spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Bike rentals are available in the town of Wilkesboro.

    Bird watchers visiting W. Kerr Scott Reservoir will appreciate a number of birding trails that pass through a variety of habitats. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and a wide variety of songbirds make their home in the oak forests around the lake. The margins of the lake are a good place to view migrant shorebirds.

    Just east of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir are the historic towns of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro where you can attend apple festivals, music festivals, wine tasting dinners, wander through museums and art galleries, shop at specialty and souvenir stores, or enjoy a delicious meal at a number of family oriented and fine dining facilities in the area. For those who like to travel and explore their surroundings, a number of scenic byways will take you through national parks, national forests, rustic valleys and peaceful farmland for some breathtaking mountain views, close-ups of waterfalls, scenic small towns, vineyards, and numerous historic sites.

    Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, birding, fishing, or simply taking it easy, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. Sleep under the stars at your lakeside campsite, or enjoy the comforts of a bed and breakfast, cabin, or vacation rental in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain foothills.

    Things to Do at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir

    These are some activities in the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, NC area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Hunting
    • Waterfall
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Park
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in W. Kerr Scott Reservoir?

    W. Kerr Scott Reservoir has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Pike
    • Shad
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Spotted Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Tiger Muskellunge
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    Find Places to Stay at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir

    If you’re considering a W. Kerr Scott Reservoir lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a W. Kerr Scott Reservoir Vacation

    Our interactive W. Kerr Scott Reservoir lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    W. Kerr Scott Reservoir Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 1,475 acres

    Shoreline Length: 55 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,030 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,021 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,057 feet

    Average Depth: 28 feet

    Maximum Depth: 65 feet

    Water Volume: 41,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1962

    Drainage Area: 367 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    W. Kerr Scott Reservoir Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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