Graham-Mebane Lake Tournaments & Events
IMPORTANT NOTICE for all VISA/Mastercard Payments: Effective October 10, 2023, a convenience fee of 2.2% will be charged to all VISA/Mastercard transactions (VISA/Mastercard accepted). Cash and checks are accepted without this fee and can be made in person at the Graham Recreation Center (311 College Street, Graham, NC 27253). Checks payable to the “City of Graham” can be mailed to: City of Graham, ATTN: Recreation & Parks, PO Drawer 357, Graham, NC 27253
Fall Lake Cruise on the Pontoon – 2024
Choose Date & Time: (please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time, approx. 45-minute ride)
• Date: Saturday, August 31 • Time: 4:00pm or 5:30pm
• Date: Sunday, September 1 • Times: 3:30pm or 5:00pm
• Date: Saturday, September 21 • Times: 3:30pm or 5:00pm (canceled)
• Date: Sunday, September 22 • Times: 3:30pm or 5:00pm (canceled)
• Date: Saturday, September 28 • Times: 3:30pm or 5:00pm
• Date: Sunday, September 29 • Times: 3:30pm or 5:00pm
• Date: Saturday, October 19 • Times: 3:00pm or 4:30pm
• Date: Sunday, October 20 • Times: 3:00pm or 4:30pm
• Date: Saturday, October 26 • Time: 3:00pm or 4:30pm
• Date: Sunday, October 27 • Times: 3:00pm or 4:30pm
• Date: Saturday, November 2 • Times: 2:00pm or 3:30pm
• Date: Sunday, November 3 • Times: 2:00pm or 3:30pm
• Date: Saturday, November 9 • Times: 2:00pm or 3:30pm
• Date: Sunday, November 10 • Times: 2:00pm or 3:30pm
Ages: all persons under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Cost: $10.00 per participant per ride, online registration is recommended for participants to secure a space, space is limited to 10 riders
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
Graham Recreation & Parks is excited to invite you to experience a delightful Lake Cruise on our Pontoon boat at Graham-Mebane Lake. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the lake, catch a glimpse of local wildlife, and take in the fall vibes.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time, this will give you time to park, get checked in, sign waivers, and be fitted for a PFD/life jacket. Pontoon is scheduled to leave the dock promptly at the listed start time for an approx. 45-minute ride.
Every participant must wear a PFD/life jacket while participating in this program. The smallest PFD available at the lake is rated for youth 30lbs-50lbs. If your child wishes to participate in this program but weighs less than 30 lbs., you must bring an appropriately sized Type I, II, or III, Coast-Guard-approved PFD. All children must have adult supervision during this program. Please no smoking/vaping, alcohol, pets, drones, or fishing from the boat.
Inclement Weather Updates: Changes in the schedule and/or cancellations due to inclement weather will be posted on the Graham Recreation & Parks Facebook page or you may call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544. Lake Cruises will not operate in the case of rain or thunder/lightning. There are no rain dates scheduled – only refunds or rescheduling for inclement weather cancellations.
To register online and secure your space, please visit www.GrahamRecreationAndParks.com. Space is limited. Online registration will close at 5:00pm on the day before the scheduled pontoon rides or when full. If space allows, walk-ups will be accepted on the day of the program. Please call the lake prior to walk-up to check on availability. No refunds, unless canceled due to inclement weather. For more information, please call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544.
Kayak Paddle Tours on the Lake
Dates to Choose From:
• Thursday, May 2 from 5:00pm – 7:30pm
• Saturday, May 25 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
• Thursday, May 30 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
• Thursday, June 13 from 10:00am – 12:30pm
• Sunday, June 30 from 10:00am – 12:30pm
• Saturday, July 6 from 5:00pm – 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 20 from 5:00pm – 7:30pm
• Saturday, August 3 from 10:00am – 12:30pm
• Saturday, August 17 from (time updated: 4:00pm – 6:30pm)
• Sunday, September 1 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
• Saturday, October 12 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
• Sunday, October 20 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
Ages: 18 & older
Cost: (space is limited and registration is required)
• Reserve a kayak, paddle, PFD, & registration – $22.00 per person
• Bring your own kayak, paddle, PFD, & registration – $10.00 per person
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
Nestled between Graham and Mebane lies the gorgeous flat water of Graham-Mebane Lake. Come enjoy the sunshine with us on the water. Graham Recreation & Parks invites you to join us on a guided, two-hour paddle tour (30 minutes to prepare). With our tour guide at the helm, you will see firsthand what lake life is all about. Be it with old friends, or new, you will bask in the tranquility of the lake while exploring this aquatic gem during the two-hour tour. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and unwind in a peaceful setting. Space is limited and registration is required. Online registration is currently open and closes at 5:00pm the day prior to the paddle tour date or when maximum attendance is reached. You will receive a confirmation receipt through email at the time of booking. For more information, please call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544. More Paddle Tour on the Lake dates coming this summer!
Prerequisites
- Know how to swim
- Kayakers should be moderately fit for this trip
- Review and complete the waiver
- Must wear properly fitted PFD (for paddling) while on water
- Bring water shoes
- Bring an attachable water bottle (attach to vest or kayak)
What to Wear
- Comfortable clothes (dress for the weather)
- Wicking or quick dry
- Synthetic instead of cotton
- Water shoes
- Hat/Sunglasses (with a strap to secure to you)
Suggested Additional Items:
- Sunscreen (leave in a dry sack or in a vehicle once applied)
- Hat/Sunglasses (with a strap to secure to you)
- Dry Sack and/or Waterproof phone case
- Towel
Cancelation Policy: Must cancel by 5:00pm the day before the paddle tour date. No refunds will be issued for cancelations after this time.
Inclement Weather Updates: All Paddle Tours are subject to cancelation or postponement due to weather. In the event of inclement weather, all attendees will be offered the choice of a rain date for the tour or a refund. Please provide a valid email address during registration to ensure you receive confirmation and communication regarding your Paddle Tour.
Challenge Se7en: Paddle Tour
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Times: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Ages: 18 & older, experienced paddlers only
Cost: (space is limited and registration is required)
• Reserve a kayak, paddle, PFD, & registration – $25.00 per person
• Bring your own kayak, paddle, PFD, & registration – $13.00 per person
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
Enjoy a new adventure! Join us on the Challenge Se7en: Paddle Tour, a 7-mile round-trip kayak paddle tour on Graham-Mebane Lake. Experience more of this breathtaking 650-acre lake than normally seen on our 2-hour paddles. We’ll pass by the old spillway, cross through the ski area, and then continue behind the high school and into the quiet waters of Mill Creek. There we have good chances of seeing ducks, egrets, herons, turtles and other wildlife. Mill Creek is our halfway and turnaround point, so we’ll take a breather, pictures, and hydrate there before starting back. Because of the length of this paddle, we invite only experienced paddlers aged 18 and older to sign up. You may reserve one of our sit-on-top kayaks or bring your own.
Online registration is currently open and closes at 5:00pm the day prior to the paddle tour date or when maximum attendance is reached. You will receive a confirmation receipt through email at the time of booking. For more information, please call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544.
Prerequisites
- Know how to swim
- Experienced paddler
- Kayakers should be experienced and moderately fit for this trip
- Review and complete the waiver
- Must wear properly fitted PFD (for paddling) while on water
- Water bottle (attach to vest or kayak)
What to Wear
- Comfortable clothes (dress for the weather)
- Wicking or quick dry
- Synthetic instead of cotton
- Water shoes
- Hat/Sunglasses (with a strap to secure to you)
Suggested Additional Items
- Sunscreen (leave in a dry sack or in a vehicle once applied)
- Dry Sack and/or Waterproof phone case
- Towel
- Snacks
Cancelation Policy: Must cancel by 5:00pm the day before the paddle program date. No refunds will be issued for cancelations after this time.
Inclement Weather Updates: All paddle programs are subject to cancelation or postponement due to weather. In the event of inclement weather, attendees will be offered the choice of a rain date if possible, or a refund. Please provide a valid email address during registration to ensure you receive confirmation and communication regarding your paddle program.
2024 Season-Long Big Bass Tournament
Season-Long Dates: March 1 – September 30, 2024
Times: During Operational Hours
Ages: 16 & older
Cost: $25.00, which covers the entire tournament (normal lake user fees apply)
Details: Graham-Mebane Lake sponsors a Season-Long Big Bass Tournament (BBT). Join the tournament anytime during the season. Fish as often as you like each month, the heaviest Largemouth Bass caught and weighed in by an entrant during the current month wins that month. There will be seven monthly winners, with the exception of a tie. Each monthly winner and the Second Chance Tournament winner receives an Annual User Fee Permit ($50- $70 value) valid for one year and qualifies for the Fish-Off held in October. The top 3 finishers in the Fish-Off receive monetary prizes: Fish-Off payout is based on 75% of entry fees collected, divided as follows: First Place – 50%, Second Place – 30%, and Third Place – 20%. A tournament entry fee must be paid before catching and weighing a fish, normal lake user fees apply. Big Bass Tournament Fish-Off: Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 8:00am – 3:00pm
2024 Big Bass Tournament Results | ||
Month | Winner | Winning Weight |
March | Keith Patterson | 8.31 lbs. |
April | Brad Cook | 7.57 lbs. |
May | Charles Foust | 6.64 lbs. |
June | Kurt Krone | 6.96 lbs. |
July | Dustin Cobb | 7.27 lbs. |
August | Todd Wilson | 7.15 lbs. |
September | ||
2nd Chance |
2023 Big Bass Tournament Fish-Off Results
1st Place – Eddie Hawk – 3.81 lbs.
2nd Place – Dustin Cobb – 3.35 lbs.
3rd Place – Charles Foust – 3.01 lbs.
2024 BBT Second Chance Tournament
Season-Long Dates: March 1 – September 30, 2024
Times: During Operational Hours
Ages: 16 & older
Cost: $10.00, in addition to the BBT entry fee (normal lake user fees apply)
Details: An option for Big Bass Tournament (BBT) entrants is the Second Chance Tournament, run in conjunction with the BBT. This tournament gives BBT entrants who do not win a month an opportunity to win an Annual Permit and participate in the BBT Fish-Off. To qualify, Second Chance entrants weigh in their largemouth bass caught during the BBT with the goal of making the tournament-long Top 8 heaviest largemouth bass (that do not win a BBT month) list. Lake Staff will compile and keep this list up-to-date. There will be a tournament for those Top 8 in early October, with the winner qualifying for the BBT Fish-Off Tournament and receiving an Annual Permit. Must be an entrant of the 2024 Season-Long Big Bass Tournament to enter. The Second Chance Tournament is on October 5, 2024, from 8am – 3pm.
2023 Second Chance Tournament Results
1st Place – Lucas Lobaugh Jr. – 3.60 lbs.
2nd Place – Wayman Whitsett – 3.57 lbs.
3rd Place – Tim Sykes – 2.55 lbs.
Graham-Mebane Lake Bass Tournament
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
Times: The gate opens at 7:00am, the mandatory meeting at 7:30am, and the launch and tournament will follow the meeting. All boats return by the 3:00pm tournament end time, weigh-in follows.
Ages: 16 & older (at least one entrant per boat must be age 16 or older)
Cost: $100 per boat, 1 or 2 people (maximum of 2 people per boat) • $110 same-day registration
Details: Pre-registration begins in person on (Date: Saturday, March 16) at the marina at 3:00pm. First come, first served. 75% Payout to the top three spots. 100% Big Fish Payout will cost an additional $10 per boat. All prizes/payouts will be awarded by check, mailed from Graham City Hall on the following Thursday. Space is limited, 20 boats maximum. For more information, please call (919) 563-6544.
2023 Graham-Mebane Lake Bass Tournament Results
1st Place: Robbie Mayton & Brian Stamps • 25.55 lbs.
2nd Place: Keith Patterson • 22.01 lbs.
3rd Place: Zach Smith & Alden Patterson • 20.94 lbs.
Big Fish Contest: 7.97 lbs.
Legacy Bass Tournament at Graham-Mebane Lake (a tournament for adult/youth entries)
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Times: The gate opens at 6:00am, the mandatory meeting begins at 6:30am, with the boat launch and tournament to follow. All boats return by 3:00pm (tournament end time), and weigh-in follows.
Ages: One entrant 18 or older & one entrant 17 or younger are required per boat.
Cost: $40 per boat (2 people per boat); cost includes launch fees & $10 for Big Fish Contest
Details: Graham Recreation & Parks presents the first annual Legacy Bass Tournament for adult/youth entries at Graham-Mebane Lake. Registration begins in person on Monday, April 1 at the marina. First come, first served. 75% Payout to the top three spots (First Place – 50%, Second Place – 30%, and Third Place – 20%.). The Big Fish Contest payout is 100%. All prizes/payouts will be awarded by check, mailed from Graham City Hall on the following Friday. Space is limited, 20 boats maximum. For more information, please call (919) 563-6544. Legacy Bass Tournament Rules 2024
Bank Fishing Catfish Tournaments
Dates: Saturdays – May 18, June 15, July 13, August 10, 2024
Time: 8:00pm – Midnight (in August, times are 7:00pm – 11:00pm)
Ages: For all ages, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to cast, hook a fish, and reel it in by themselves. Adults may help net a fish.
Cost for Entrants: $15.00 per entrant in each tournament
Cost for Spectators: Free; but spectators shall identify themselves to Lake Staff during the sign-up period or when they arrive
Details: Graham-Mebane Lake sponsors several bank-fishing catfish tournaments each summer. Payout is for the three heaviest catfish caught and weighed at Graham-Mebane Lake during the tournament by three different entrants. (Entrants may weigh as many fish as they like, but only their heaviest fish will be considered.) All fish must be caught by rod, line, and hook at Graham-Mebane Lake during the tournament. There will be a 50/50 drawing during the tournament. This is an alcohol, tobacco, and vape-free event. Pets must be leashed with a leash in hand and remain under positive control. Same-day, in-person signups. Live bait will be available to purchase. Two rods per entrant. The tournament is weather permitting.
As a reminder, all people aged 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to fish in North Carolina waters. Fishing licenses can be purchased from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website or from a local tackle shop or outdoor retailer that serves as a wildlife service agent.
Bait Rule: Only baits that are classified as legal for use in NC inland waters by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are allowed.
Spectator Rules:
1. Spectators shall check in at the Marina office during sign-ups or as they arrive. Their vehicles will be inspected (for fish and alcohol) just the same as tournament entrants.
2. Spectators may come and go during the tournament, but each time they return they must stop at the Marina office to have their vehicle inspected.
3. Spectators may not cast, fish, hook, or reel in fish.
2024 Catfish Tournament Results
May 18 • Largest Catfish – 4.19 lbs.
June 15 • Largest Catfish – 4.6 lbs.
July 13 • Largest Catfish – 3.61 lbs.
August 10 • Largest Catfish – 3 lbs.
Introduction to Kayaking: Basics & Balance
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm (class starts promptly at 9:00am)
Difficulty Level: beginner, no experience required
Ages: 16 & above (participants under 18 must have parent/guardian supervision while at the lake)
Cost: $35.00 per person (includes all lake fees and rental costs: kayak, paddle, & PFD)
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
Nestled between Graham and Mebane lies the gorgeous flat water of the Graham-Mebane Lake. Graham Recreation & Parks invites you to come out and learn the basics of kayaking with on-land and on-water instruction. With a guide at the helm, you will attend a detailed instruction program to prepare you for adventuring out on the water. Be it with old friends or new, you will bask in the tranquility of the lake while exploring the freedom that kayaking can offer. There will be a 30-minute break for a light snack or to change clothes before the on-water section of the class. Online registration is currently open and closes at 5:00pm the day prior to the program date or when maximum attendance is reached. You will receive a confirmation receipt through email at the time of registering. For more information, please call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544. Space is limited and registration is required.
Prerequisites
- Know how to swim
- Review and complete the waiver
- Must wear properly fitted PFD (for paddling) while on water
- Bring water shoes or closed-toe shoes
- Bring an attachable water bottle (attach to vest or kayak)
What to Wear
- Comfortable clothes (dress for the weather)
- Wicking or quick dry
- Synthetic instead of cotton
- Water shoes
- Hat/Sunglasses (with a strap to secure to you)
What to Bring
- Sunscreen (leave in a dry sack or in a vehicle once applied)
- Dry Sack and/or Waterproof phone case
- Towel
Cancellation Policy: Must cancel by 5:00pm the day before the class date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after this time.
Inclement Weather Policy: All Paddle Classes are subject to cancellation or postponement due to weather. In the event of inclement weather, all attendees will be offered a change of date for the class or a refund. Please provide a valid email address during registration to ensure you receive confirmation and communication regarding your paddle class.
Youth Fishing Day
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Check-In Time: 8:30am – 9:00am
Event Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 4 – 15
Cost: Free, online registration is required for participants, and space is limited to the first 100 registrants
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
Youth ages 4 to 15 are invited to participate in a FREE, non-competitive Youth Fishing Day with Graham Recreation & Parks! Enjoy fishing, raffles, SnoBalls, and yard games at the Park & Play Mobile Recreation Van. Stormwater SMART will also be on-site with fun, educational opportunities as we kick off Alamance Creek Week!
Registration is online only and the event is limited to the first 100 participants to register (ages 4 to 15). Those registered by April 28 will receive an event t-shirt. Please register in advance to guarantee your child’s participation. We encourage only immediate family members to attend to maximize space for youth participants; please carpool if possible. Bait (redworms) will be provided. Registration is now open and runs through May 10 (at 12:00noon) or until full. Must register by April 28 to receive an event t-shirt.
Need a fishing rod? Be sure to sign up to borrow a loaner rod during registration, supply is limited to approx. 40 and provided by the NC Wildlife Tackle Loaner Program. As a reminder, all people aged 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to fish in North Carolina waters. Fishing licenses can be purchased from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website or from a local tackle shop or outdoor retailer that serves as a wildlife service agent.
Please note: All children must have adult supervision at all times during this program. Please no smoking/vaping, no pets, and no drones. The Bank Fishing Area will be closed to all non-event anglers until 12:00noon. Event participants will need to clear the Bank Fishing Area at 11:00am and check in at the marina office to continue fishing when the Bank Fishing Area re-opens. If this program is canceled (due to inclement weather, etc.), there is no rain date and the program will take place next year.
For more information, please call Graham-Mebane Lake at (919) 563-6544.
Graham-Mebane Lake Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Plan
- 9 volunteers totaling 89 person-hours of effort
- 292 Wildlife Resources Commission person-hours of effort
- 20 protected vegetation sites totaling 12,984 square feet
- 46 unprotected Water Willow sites totaling 3,681 square feet of shoreline planted
- We planted the following species:
White Water Lily – 131
Spatterdock – 102
Pondweed – 62
Pickerelweed – 84
Water Willow – 1418
TOTAL: 1797
1. Anglers are invited to stop by the Graham-Mebane Lake office to participate in an interactive map to provide direct input to biologists on beneficial sites for habitat enhancement, by contributing to where to place artificial and natural structures as well as where to initiate native vegetation efforts.
2. Volunteer this summer to help biologists plant aquatic vegetation during the Work Dates. NCWRC will supply the boat needs, so no one needs to have a boat to assist with the project. For more information about this project or to sign up to volunteer, please call Seth Mycko with the NCWRC at (336) 534-0019 or email.
Graham-Mebane Lake Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Workday
Date: Saturday, July 20
Times: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 15 year of age & up
Cost: Free
Location: Graham-Mebane Lake • 3218 Bason Road, Mebane, NC 27302
About: Come our to help the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) plant native aquatic vegetation at Graham-Mebane Lake. Please wear wading clothes, closed-toes shoes (such as old tennis shoes or water shoes), and a hat. Must be at least 15 years of age. Boats, gloves, planting tools, drinking water, and snacks will be provided. For more information about this project or to sign up to volunteer, please call Seth Mycko with the NCWRC at (336) 534-0019 or email.
Keep Graham-Mebane Lake Beautiful (a clean lake initiative)
Offered During Operational Hours
Trash. Yuck. Not something you want to see at the lake. Let’s keep Graham-Mebane Lake beautiful and clean! During your visit, if you are wanting to make a difference for our waterways and the birds, fish, and wildlife that call Graham-Mebane Lake home, consider borrowing a “Litter Pick-Up Kit” from the Lake Office consisting of a mesh bag, trash picker, & gloves to take on the water to collect litter you may come across. At times, trash (and old fishing line) finds its way into the lake and along the shoreline, but we all want to do our part to protect this picture-perfect scenery for all to enjoy. Please only pick up trash from your vessel or at the Lake’s Park & Marina, since the shoreline may be private property. For more information, please call (919) 563-6544.
How to Make A Difference at Graham-Mebane Lake:
- Please borrow a “Litter Pick-Up Kit” and help make a difference by collecting litter during your time on the water
- After disposing of the litter in the trash can (be aware of hooks in the fishing line), please return your mesh bag and trash picker to the Lake Office
- Please direct any questions to the Lake Office staff
FAQ's
What are the lake’s hours?
City ordinance requires that activities on the lake be limited to daylight hours. As these hours vary with the seasons, so do the lake’s operating hours. See Hours of Operation, Fees, & Directions for current hours.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, anglers age 16 and older are required to have a valid NC fishing license. Licenses may be purchased online from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission or at area sporting goods stores.
What’s it cost to bank fish?
For anglers ages 13-64 the fee is $3, senior citizens (age 65+) $1, children 12 and younger are free. See our Hours of Operation, Fees, & Directions page for boat launching and vessel rental rates. Please present proof of age.
Can I swim in the lake?
No, the primary purpose of the lake is for municipal water supply so swimming is not allowed.
What fish species are in the lake and what are the size limits?
Largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish are the most sought after fish in the lake. Other species include bluegill, carp, and shad. An angler is allowed a limit of five (5) bass over 14 inches per day. There are no other size or number limits on fish.
Does the lake sell live bait?
Yes, the lake sells night crawlers, red worms, and crickets. We do not sell minnows. Hooks, weights, bobbers, and ice may also be purchased at the Marina.
City of Graham Drone Policy
NCWRC Boating Rules & Regulations
Special Use Form (for approved fire/rescue groups only)