Shelley Lake Fishing
Wake County, NCWRC District 3, 32 acres.
Pick for channel catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Lake Crabree County Park: Gaurav, CC BY 4.0
Lake level today
Reading at 7:25 am EST, Nov 14US Geological Survey gauge 0208728880, Shelley Lake at Shelley Lake Park at Raleigh, NC. Provisional data, refreshed hourly.
Shelley Lake through an angler’s eyes
Shelley Lake is a lake in Wake County, part of NCWRC fisheries District 3. NID records give it 32 acres of surface water. Shelley Lake Dam Dam (1975) impounds the Lead Mine Creek to form it. A drive of about 2 miles reaches Raleigh, the nearest town. NCWRC includes it among its Community Fishing Program ponds and lakes.
NCWRC sources name channel catfish here. Launch records do not name a ramp here; nearby ones follow. NCWRC requested 3,000 8-12 in channel catfish for this water in 2026. Anglers can find 2 NCWRC fish attractors, 2 marked by buoys.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Getting a boat onto Shelley Lake
Public fishing areas by Shelley Lake
- Shelley Lake2 piers, owner City Of Raleigh, open
Nearest put-ins to Shelley Lake
- Lake RaleighLake Raleigh, 7 miles south
- Lake Johnson ParkLake Johnson, 7 miles southwest
- Lake Crabtree County ParkLake Crabree County Park, 7 miles west
- Upper Bartons CreekFalls Lake, 8 miles north
- Bw Wells Boat RampFalls Lake, 9 miles north
- Holly Point Boat RampFalls Lake, 10 miles north
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Pool level at Shelley Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Shelley Lake At Shelley Lake Park At Raleigh, Nc | 251.16 ft lake elevation | Nov 14 7:20 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 7:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
What hits in Shelley Lake
The list for Shelley Lake is built from NCWRC stocking, rule tables, species profiles and the record book. stocked: 1.
NCWRC 2026 stocking list, warm-water regulations, species profiles and state records.
Hatchery fish for Shelley Lake
| Species | Size | Number | Program | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 8-12" | 3,000 | CFP | FROM RALEIGH TAKE I-440 TO EXIT 7B (GLENWOOD AVE/ US 70 W) GO 0.4 MI W ON US 70 & TURN RIGHT ON LEAD MINE RD @ CRABTREE |
NCWRC 2026 warmwater stocking list and the live trout stocking report. North Carolina stocking.
Harvest rules for Shelley Lake
Statewide inland rows cover Shelley Lake; no special rule is listed.
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Sunfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Striped and Bodie bass | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| White bass | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Walleye | 8 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Rock and Roanoke bass | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Blue, channel and flathead catfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Trout (undesignated waters) | 7 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
Interstate lines in the NCWRC rules pick some rows for Shelley Lake.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
Neighbor lakes of Shelley Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelley Lake | 32 | 0 | yes | |
| Lake Raleigh | 7 miles south | 88.1 | 1 | |
| Lake Johnson | 7 miles south | 147.5 | 1 | |
| Lake Crabree County Park | 8 miles west | 1 | ||
| Bond Lake | 11 miles southwest | 80 | 1 | yes |
| Apex Community Lake | 12 miles southwest | 1 | yes |
In reach of Shelley Lake
Next reservoirs over from Shelley Lake
- Lake Raleigh7 miles south
- Lake Johnson7 miles south
- Lake Crabree County Park8 miles west
- Bond Lake11 miles southwest
- Apex Community Lake12 miles southwest
Where to buy bait by Shelley Lake
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 4601 Glenwood Avesporting goods store, Raleigh, 2 miles
- Carolina Outdoor Sportsmansporting goods store, Raleigh, 3 miles
- Hill's Sporting Goods Incsporting goods store, Raleigh, 5 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 3630 Sumner Blvdsporting goods store, Raleigh, 5 miles
- Outhouse Tackle Companybait and tackle shop, Raleigh, 6 miles
- Apex Outfitter & Board Co.sporting goods store, Wake, 6 miles
Towns nearest Shelley Lake
- Raleigh2 miles
- Morrisville10 miles
- Knightdale10 miles
Shelley Lake county links
- Wake Countyseat: Raleigh
Four Piscifun picks
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Worth knowing about Shelley Lake
Which NCWRC district covers Shelley Lake?
Wake County, in NCWRC District 3, about 2 miles from Raleigh.
Is Shelley Lake a big lake?
The dam record lists 32 acres.
Does a ramp reach Shelley Lake?
No launch is on file for it.
What species does Shelley Lake hold?
Expect channel catfish.
What does NCWRC put in Shelley Lake?
The 2026 warmwater list shows 3,000 8-12 in channel catfish.
Is Shelley Lake under special regulations?
Statewide limits, no special rule.
Can visitors fish Shelley Lake?
An NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16, $32 a year for residents.
Is there a live reading for Shelley Lake?
See the USGS reading on this page.
Which counter sells bait nearest Shelley Lake?
Closest on our list: DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 2 miles.
Block out a day for Shelley Lake
Read the limits, then pick a ramp above.