By:
Submission
McPherson State Fishing Lake is located 6 miles north and 2 miles west of Canton. The lake is set in a very scenic location in the southeastern tip of the Smoky Hills on the upper end of the Gypsum creek drainage and has a nice wooded campground on the west shore. It is impounded by an earthen dam and managed in conjunction with the adjoining Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Fishing piers, fish feeders, boat ramp, courtesy dock, vault toilets, and camping and picnic facilities are provided for fishermen, primarily along the western shoreline. Boating is allowed for fishing purposes only. The lake is known for channel catfish and largemouth bass. Additional species include black crappie, bluegill, black bullhead, and several native sunfishes.
No camping is allowed on the fishing piers. Primitive camping is permitted, but please take your trash with you.
Pit toilets, fire rings/grills, and picnic tables are available for use by picnickers, campers, and fishermen who wish to stay overnight.
A nature trail is open year-round on the southwestern corner of the lake. Brochures for the trail are available at the trail head. Only pedestrians are allowed on the trail; no horses, mountain bikes, etc. are allowed
Fun little fishing lake that gives you a chance to escape outdoors. Not as large as Kannapolis or Marion, but a great alternative if you live nearby.
It’s a nice short drive. It’s always clean and mowed. The nature trail is fun to explore the fishing isn’t bad. One down side is nowhere to swim
Rustic but functional campgrounds with good fishing access. The natural game preserve nearby is very nice to drive through and has a lookout tower with a great view. I didn't see any Buffalo or elk this last time, but could hear the elk randomly that night while star gazing. Fishing is hit and miss there since it was announced as a hot spot for bass fishing... but there are still a few lunkers.... though they all seem to be in the middle and on the bottom. Trolling seemed to be the only way to coax them out. Crappie were hitting by the same method. Nice catfish also... but less frequent strikes than I'm used to. A great lake to relax and soak up some quiet. Not a party lake... and I like that.
The sites are primitive and not level but there is lots of shade. Watch out for the poison ivy! When there in October the water was down quite a bit but you could still get a boat in. There is no water, sewer or dump station but there is a bathroom at the west entrance and one at the boat dock. There is also a trash dumpster.
