Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 23
- Access Points
- 23
- Species
- 47
Wheeler Lake stands as a premier 67,100-acre reservoir spanning 60 miles along the Tennessee River from Guntersville Dam to Wheeler Dam in northern Alabama. This expansive impoundment draws both tournament professionals and recreational anglers year-round to its diverse waterscape. The lake's reputation as the "silent sleeper" among Alabama's Tennessee River chain reflects its exceptional fishing quality despite receiving less pressure than neighboring Guntersville and Pickwick. With multiple public access points and marinas dotting its shores across six counties, Wheeler offers varied fishing environments from wide-open reservoir waters to intimate creek channels, rock bluffs, and the famous Decatur Flats, creating habitat for an impressive array of species.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Wheeler Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Carp
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Highfin Carpsucker
Carpiodes velifer
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Redspotted Sunfish
Lepomis miniatus
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Sauger
Sander canadensis
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
Skipjack Herring
Alosa chrysochloris
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
Smallmouth Redhorse
Moxostoma breviceps
Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus
Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
Spotted Sucker
Minytrema melanops
Spotted Sunfish
Lepomis punctatus
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Wheeler Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Wheeler Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Alabama licenses and regulations
Alabama Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Alabama Fishing License
A License Information Packet can be viewed for each license for information, laws and regulations.
Alabama Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Alabama Stream Access Laws
The public can float waterways that meet various standards, but generally include all those capable of floating commercial logs outside of flood seasons. Boaters may not walk on private streambeds or access navigable waters through private lands, unless there is no posted signage stating the land is private. Portage is only permitted in an emergency.
Take Wheeler Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Wheeler Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Wheeler Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Wheeler Lake and check the forecast before you go.
FLINT CREEK AT RED BANK RD SE NR DECATUR, AL
Wheeler Lake fishing guides
Book a trip with a local fishing guide through Guidesly.
Fishing near Wheeler Lake
Tennessee River
Wheeler Reservoir
Wilson Lake
Elk River
Guntersville Lake
Flint Creek
Lewis Smith Lake
Pickwick Lake
Mitchell Pond
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Fish species
Fishing spots
- Ditto Boat Ramp Marina Boat Ramp
- Round Island Creek Boat Ramp
- Arrowhead Boat Ramp
- Goldfield Branch Boat Ramp
- Cotaco Creek (Sharpe's Ford) Boat Ramp
- Joe Wheeler State Park Boat Ramp
- Jay Boat Ramps Marina Boat Ramp
- First Creek Boat Ramp
- Hickory Hills (Flint Creek 67) Boat Ramp
- Osprey Point Boat Ramp
- Lucy's Marina Boat Ramp
- Riverwalk Marina Boat Ramp
- All 215 spots
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