The shore of Lake Phelps is surrounded by diverse plants and ancient forests. 



Many of the mighty trees have been 

 named state and national tree champions. 

 In 1992, there were eight state champi- 

 ons. Five years after that, the swamp bay 

 and coastal plain willow were named 

 national champions based on their height, 

 the spread of their branches and their 

 trunk circumference or girth. 



Nature lovers are attracted to the 

 park's wetlands, trees and wildflowers, 

 which lend color and beauty to the 

 forests. In the spring, white Atamasco 

 lilies blanket almost one acre. 



The 1,144-acre park, tucked away in 

 the fertile farmlands of Washington and 

 Tyrrell counties, is home to Lake Phelps, 

 known as an angler's paradise throughout 

 the east because of its bass fishing. 



"It is known for fishing more than the 

 other lakes in the state park system," says 

 Shearin. "The big three are large-mouth 

 bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed." 



For more than 35 years, recreational 

 fisher Dick Davis has been reeling in 

 bass at the crystal clear lake. 



"I like it because you can wade in 

 Lake Phelps and get bass," says Davis, 

 who lives in Creswell. "This lake is as 

 good as you can get for bass fishing in 

 northeastern North Carolina." 



Fishers also use the 300-foot fishing 

 pier at Cypress Point. 



Occupying one of the highest sites in 

 the area, Lake Phelps — which stretches 

 over 16,600 acres of water — has an 

 unusual ecology. It is shallow, with an 

 average depth of 4.5 feet and maximum 

 depth of 9 feet. The water is fresh but acidic 

 due to tannic acid from the surrounding 

 peat lands. When the water is clear, you 

 can see down to the sandy bottom. 



"Lake Phelps and White Lake are 

 the only clear lakes in North Carolina," 

 says Shearin. "Since there is no city or 

 agricultural runoff into the lake, it is one 

 of North Carolina's least polluted bodies 

 of water. Only rain feeds into the lake." 



The shallow water and wind 

 conditions make the lake ideal for 



16 HIGH SEASON 1999 



shallow-draft sailboats, canoeing and 

 windsurfing. 



It is rarely crowded and great for 

 kids, says Mike Noles, who runs a rental 

 company and campground on Lake 

 Phelps. "We say it is one of the best-kept 

 secrets in eastern North Carolina." 



Bikers can cycle the north and western 

 shores of Lake Phelps. The trail runs over 

 eight miles through the big-tree forest, 

 near scenic overlooks, and to historic 

 Somerset Plantation and other sites. 



"Pettigrew is the only state park in 

 the eastern part of the state with bike 

 paths," says Shearin. 



Formed on a vast peninsula 

 between the Albemarle and Pamlico 

 sounds, Lake Phelps is thought to be 

 38,000 years old. Scientists have long 

 puzzled over its origin. 



"One theory is that wind and wave 

 action carved out the lake when the 

 ocean covered eastern North Carolina," 

 says Shearin. "Another popular legend 



