little Singletary Lake (Suggs mill pond game land)

9329 Views 12 Replies 5 Participants Last post by f-150, Jul 4, 2014

f-150

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2014

After looking at Suggs mill pond game land in Bladen county on Google maps.I noticed this amazing bay lake on the property that I could find very little information about. Speaking to locals, I've been told it's was an amazing Yellow perch fishery. Since it has been state owned there is one road leading to the lake via Suggs mill. I was curious how to access this fishery so I contacted our ncwilflife.org affiliate. Here is the inquiry and responses.

Hi, I am writing to inquire about how to gain access to Little Singletary Lake. (Part of the Suggs mill pond game land). On Google maps, it appears the only access is via private property? I also see some dirt roads leading to the lake from the maintenance barn on the main strip but they are gated.
I would like to gain access to this lake to fish it from my canoe. Any further information is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
Sincerely Dustin Cashwell

Response
Mr. Cashwell,

Currently we do not have vehicular access to Little Singletary Lake. The only road on that tract is in extremely poor condition and will not support any vehicles and the road is gated. The only good access to the lake is from private property and the land owner does not allow private access.

Tommy

My reply
Thanks for your response Tommy.
I find it difficult to believe the state purchased such a large game land with two large lakes on it and only allows access to the lesser of the two? It would appear that "we" sportsman and citizens of NC have funded the purchase of an amazing tract of land with great hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation opportunities just for the enjoyment of one private landowner. Yet another example of mismanaged funding. not trying to put anyone on the offense. It just seems odd that the state has owned this tract of land for many years and the only road that allows access to Singletary Lake will not support vehicle traffic. Seems we could take some of that big equipment parked at the maintenance barn and solve this issue. Viewing maps it seems the road is in well enough shape that piers have been built on Singletary lake.
Since the road is impassible by vehicle, I assume it will support foot traffic?
I'm not trying to be difficult, I am just trying to wrap my mind around how to access this untapped fishery.
Thanks again,
Dustin Cashwell

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 5

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

rmar

· #2 · Jul 1, 2014

Consider writing your local law makers. Writing to the agency may put you in contact with a worker with limited ability to make decisions or with a public relations person tasked only with responding to inquiries.

An inquiry from a law maker will generally go to the top levels of the organization. In this case, they may find it is easier to fix the road than to explain why they can't.

Thanks for taking action! Good luck.

Save

Reactions: 3

norbvr

· #3 · Jul 2, 2014

NC Wildlife has a FaceBook page they post to on a regular basis. Maybe posting the question on there will allow more of the public to see the problem and garner support. I'll jump in on the conversation. It has quite a few followers. I bet some game trucks with fishing gear have made it over that road. Is it too far to portage a kayak?

thanks,

Peter

Save

Reactions: 2

f-150

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 3, 2014

It's probably a mile walk at least.

Save

wademaster

· #5 · Jul 3, 2014

f-150 said:
It's probably a mile walk at least.

I've walked that far. But dragging/carrying a yak would be a task.....

Save

Fish Whisperer

· #6 · Jul 3, 2014

That's why they make canoe/kayak carts

. I'll have to look this one up!

Save

Reactions: 2

wademaster

· #7 · Jul 3, 2014

Fish Whisperer said:
That's why they make canoe/kayak carts . I'll have to look this one up!

Good point....

Sent from my kayak...

Save

rmar

· #8 · Jul 4, 2014

I can't understand how the state can afford the land but can't afford gravel to fix the road. I hope there are some hunters, campers, etc. getting some use of the land. When you read the response f-150 received and look at Google Maps, it looks like the state is providing the landowner with a private lake.

Save

Reactions: 1

f-150

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 4, 2014

My point exactly.

Save

f-150

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 4, 2014

Mr. Cashwell,

Sorry you feel that way. I will be glad to talk to you by phone. I can be reached at 252-670-9929. The piers you brought up where built by the private landowner on the previous landowner’s land which the State purchased without his permission. As you can see this landowner has a great road to the lake. We have tried to purchase properties that would allow access to the lake however there has been no interest in selling.

As far as a fishery, the lake is very acidic and does not support a very good fishery. Much like Suggs Mill Pond, the main fish are pickerel and fliers. We had the district fishery biologist look at Suggs Mill Pond and see how we should manage the fishery and he did not see much potential with the lake due to poor water quality and low productivity.

The red lines outline the game land.

Tommy

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

f-150

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 4, 2014

Thanks again Tommy.
The fishery I speak of was for yellow perch. I know of the acidity of the bay lakes. However yellow perch, pickerel, flyer, bullhead, and bowfin thrive in the bay lakes.
I have a 16" yellow perch mounted on my wall from horse shoe lake. I caught him on a Sunday evening just before dark. The nearest certified scales are at riverside bait and tackle 40 minutes away and they were closed. So unfortunately I couldn't get a citation for the fish but my scales showed 2.2lbs. I have also caught several large chain pickerel from horseshoe lake.
I have seen the potential of the bay lakes. Speaking to some old timers from the area, prior to the state purchase of suggs mill, some big yellow perch were harvested from little singletary.
I hope the state can provide access to little Singletary sometime in the near future. If anything changes or you can provide me with any information how to legally obtain access to the lake, please let me know. Better yet, if there's any way I can help drop me an email.
Thanks
Dustin

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1