TVA reservoir

Wheeler Lake

Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall & Morgan Counties, Alabama

Wheeler Lake is Alabama's second largest reservoir and runs 60 miles on the Tennessee River from Guntersville Dam to Wheeler Dam near Rogersville. It is known for big catfish, including a former world record blue catfish, and a mix of black bass and temperate bass.

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Wheeler Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area67,070 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline1027 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Most bass run 12 to 15 inches, and a frog over the milfoil on the Decatur flats works.

Blue Catfish●●●●○

The 111-pound former world record blue catfish came from here in 1996.

Crappie●●●○○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Sauger●●●○○

Sauger move upstream in winter and early spring.

Striped Bass●●○○○

Stripers and hybrids make spring spawning runs upriver.

When they bite

Month-by-month activity for each target species.

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Largemouth Bass
Blue Catfish
Crappie
Sauger

SlowFairGoodHot

Boat launches

6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Joe Wheeler State Park First Creek Boat RampPublic
State park ramp near RogersvilleDirections ↗
2Ingalls HarborPublic
City of Decatur harbor and ramp at 701 Market St NWDirections ↗
3Elk River North Public Boat RampPublic
Public ramp off US 72 near RogersvilleDirections ↗
4Round Island Creek Public LaunchPublic
Public launch on Cowford Rd, AthensDirections ↗
5Mallard Creek Public Boat LaunchPublic
Public launch near Lake View, Lawrence CountyDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See Alabama DCNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Smallmouth Bass Wheeler Reservoir; max 5 smallmouth in black bass limit; largemouth follow statewide	15 in	10 / day combined

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama) ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama) before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Decatur Bait & TackleNearby
214 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL(256) 353-6491 Directions ↗
West End OutdoorsNearby
17171 US Hwy 72 E, Athens, AL(256) 233-1633 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Wheeler Lake ↗

Local tips

Throw a frog or rat lure over the milfoil on the Decatur flats in summer.
Crankbaits and Carolina rigs work for bass along ledges and points.
In winter and early spring, fish upstream toward Guntersville Dam for sauger.

Angler reports

Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Wheeler Lake.

Loading reports...

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.