Wheeler Lake, Alabama's second largest reservoir, gives an angler many choices, when it comes to summertime fishing for bass. Both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass can be caught lake wide, both day and night. With so much water to explore anglers must break it down to fish it correctly.

Launching at Decatur launch near Interstate 65 that crosses at midlake, you can head up the lake for fishing a more river like terrain, or go down the lake, which opens up into major feeder creeks and an incoming Elk River.

Heading up the lake, anglers will find a narrow more river like situation for more than 40 miles, before being halted at upriver Guntersville Lake dam. Here anglers will find lots of current and both baitfish and bass will hang around the mouths of small cuts, pockets and where small incoming creeks or streams enter the lake. There are rock bluffs as well, that both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass relate to all summer long.

Lures are many, for fishing these lake headwaters, but some lures really shine here. The mouths of these out-of-the current locations can be thoroughly fished in just a few minutes. Fast moving lures such as mid to deep diving crankbaits are good choices.

In stained water conditions try crayfish colored crankbaits or some crankbaits with brighter colors of lime, yellow, or red on the lure. In clear water conditions stick with shad colored lures such as chrome, white, pearl or natural colors. The same color choices can be applied for both suspending and floating hard bodied jerkbaits and rattling, lipless lures in these lake headwaters. Topwaters and spinnerbaits are also good lure choices and loads of lures fished on the bottom.

Fishing midlake, anglers will find incoming creeks, weeds, piers, boat houses and rock bluffs. The now famous "Decatur flats" covered in millfoil weeds, can be fished for largemouth bass in the weeds and smallmouth bass along weed edges along drop-offs nearby. This area is just a mile or two below Interstate 65 bridge crossing. Just look for a lot of boats with anglers all fishing in one spot.

Down the lake, incoming feeder creeks such as Spring Creek, First and Second creeks and many small cuts and pockets, are all loaded with weed cover, wood cover, rocky banks and loads of baitfish. Largemouth bass are found shallow in and around weeds, brush piles or laydown trees. Smallmouth bass relate to deeper water during the summer and can be found along creek channel drop-offs, rock bluffs and on main creek points.

Another major influx of incoming water for Wheeler Lake on the lower lake is the Elk River. There is a boat launch right where the Elk River Bridge crosses on Hwy. 72. This river is loaded with laying trees, logjams and weed beds for summertime bass to relate to. Deep river bends show rock bluffs, with first and secondary ledges holding bass of both species during summer.

Make plans to visit Wheeler Lake, a varied fishery with dozens of locations to explore, while bass fishing this summer. Or call Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133. Over 30 years exploring massive Wheeler Lake.

Be safe and courteous to other anglers and boaters on our very crowded lakes this summer.  Thanks, this report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio  / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com