Fishing Wheeler Lake

AKA: Wheeler Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Wheeler Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Wheeler Lake, AL

Popular Fish Species Wheeler Lake, AL

Wheeler Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

As one of the top Tennessee Valley Authority Reservoirs, Wheeler Lake continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass. Local, state and national tournament organizations hold bass tournaments year after year. Results by locals, and many of these bass tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been as good as advertised. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Thorough fisheries management by the Outdoor Alabama has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Wheeler Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Crappie Fishing

If you like catching big "slabs", you'll be glad to know that both black and white crappie reside in Wheeler Lake, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. They generally school by species, but once you locate them around cover, you may catch both species due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Wheeler Lake Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Wheeler Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 120 pounds, and many monster blues are caught annually. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Wheeler Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and sauger at Wheeler Lake in Alabama.

Spanning a 60-mile stretch of the Tennessee River, Wheeler Lake is a the second largest reservoir in AL. The 67,000-acre lake is located in north-central Alabama at Decatur.

Over 1,000 miles of shoreline invite anglers to fulfill their fishing dreams of catching bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, hybrid stripers, sauger, bluegill and other sunfish. Typical cover and structure like creek channels, ledges, brush and timber provide hiding places for the catchable fish residing here. Marinas and other resources offer amenities for campers and anglers including boat rentals and plenty of boat launch ramps for you pleasure or fishing boat. Pontoon boats, bass boats, canoes, kayaks and all types of fishing boats can get you to the schools of fish in this immense fishing paradise. A long-time site of bass tournament anglers, Wheeler Reservoir has always been overshadowed by some of the other favored Tennessee River lakes like Guntersville and Pickwick. Yet there are times it can deliver monster strings and often days of fabulous fishing for numbers. Plenty of local campgrounds, marinas, lodging and dining options make Wheeler Reservoir a great place to come for a fishing trip or a family vacation.

Bass fishing is a major draw at Wheeler Lake, with both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass being popular targets. Catfish are another sought-after species in Wheeler Lake, with channel catfish and blue catfish being the primary catches. Crappie fishing is also prevalent in here, attracting anglers throughout the year. Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake. Sunfish, including bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker), are abundant in Wheeler Lake.

Wheeler Lake is also known for its populations of white bass, striped bass, and hybrid stripers. These game fish provide exciting action, especially during their seasonal migrations and feeding frenzies. Casting or trolling with artificial lures such as spoons, jigs, or crankbaits can yield great results.

Primary fish species residing in Wheeler Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Wheeler Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lucy's Branch Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
256 729-1322

Wheeler Lake Watersport Rentals
Rentals: Kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats
256 280-4390

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Barnett's Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Elk River Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Cowford Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Cowford Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Elk River Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, at the west end of the AL State Route 2 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Joe Wheeler State Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off McLean Drive, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Limestone Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Belle Tower Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Truck Trail Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, at the east end of the Point Mallard Parkway Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Pleasant Grove Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, at the east end of the County Road 400 Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Wheeler Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, at the south end of the Wheeler Dam Road Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Jay Landings Marina
1600 Alabama Highway 20
Decatur, AL 35601
256 350-4722