Wheeler Lake

Wheeler changes from a river near Huntsville to broad flats around Decatur and steeper banks toward the dam. That change is the key to planning a fishing day. Grass flats, creek channels and lower-lake rock all offer something different without leaving the reservoir.

Lake facts

• Lake size: About 68,300 acres
• Fish to target: Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, catfish, bream and sauger

Where to fish

For largemouth around Decatur, work vegetation and the edges of stump flats. A frog over thick grass is one option, with a slower bait along the outside break. Smallmouth become a more familiar target west of Decatur, especially from the Elk River area downstream. Lower-lake points and bluff banks deserve attention, including suitable night fishing in summer.

Getting on the water

Pick a designated public launch near your intended section using the state access map. Wheeler is roughly 60 miles long, so a lower-lake smallmouth trip and an upper-river outing shouldn't begin with the same vague lake pin. Protected creek water is also more manageable for a small boat or paddle craft.

A few things to know

Bream move into shallow gravel during spawning and can feed along banks during summer insect hatches. Crappie and catfish provide other targets. Winter sauger gather in the upper reservoir below Guntersville Dam. That water belongs to Wheeler, while fishing below Wheeler Dam takes you onto Wilson Lake.