Fishing
Morgan County is the focal point of all outdoor
recreation on the 67, 100-acre Wheeler Reservoir (Wheeler Lake) on the
Tennessee River in North Alabama. The lake is the largest in the
region, stretching approximately 60 miles between the Guntersville and
Wheeler Dams. Wheeler Lake is basically a wide river until it
flows through the City of Decatur, after which it widens considerably
and takes on more of the appearance and characteristics of an
impoundment.
Decatur has played host to many national fishing tournaments, including
the Bassmaster Top 150 Tournament, Bassmaster Invitational, and the
Crappie USA National Championship. Wheeler presents a mixture of
deep drop-offs and shallow banks; narrow tributaries and wide-open
spaces. There is flooded timber, grass beds and seemingly
bottomless depths; quiet coves, brushly sloughs and wave-washed cliffs.
Just as varied as the lake are the species of quality sport fish.
Wheeler represents the southern most point for the natural habitat of
smallmouth bass, making the area home to many lunkers. Largemouth
bass, spotted bass, crappie, stripe, catfish and sauger are all popular
game fish.Marinas
Riverwalk Marina. (256) 340-9170. Located on the north bank of
the Tennessee River. Includes private slips and boathouses; public
launching ramps; vending area, and dock side gas/oil.
Brickyard Landing. (256) 350-1449. South bank of the Tennessee
River. Includes 240 dry-docks, boat repair, waterfront marina
store, dock side gas/oil. No public launch ramp.
Jay's Landing. (256) 350-4705. South bank of the Tennessee River.
Includes wet-slips, vending, jet ski rental, and public launching for a
fee.
Freshwater Records
Anglers in North Alabama have landed a number of Alabama's state
record catches. These include:
• Smallmouth Bass, 10 lbs., 8 oz., wheeler Dam Tailwater (a
previous world record - any method)
• Spotted Bass, 8 lbs., 15 ozs., Lewis Smith Reservoir (a previous
world record - any method)
• White Bass, 4 lbs., 9 ozs., Tennessee River
• Yellow Bass, 4 lbs., 9 ozs., Inland Lake
• Blue Catfish, 111 obs., Wheeler Reservoir
• Channel Catfish, 40 lbs., Inland Lake
• White Crappie, 4 lbs., 8 ozs., Guntersville Reservoir
• Drum, 41 lbs., 8 ozs., Wilson Reservoir (a previous world rod and
reel record - freshwater)
• Yellow Perch, 1 lb., 11 ozs., Guntersville Reservoir
• Sauger, 5 lbs., 2 ozs., Wilson Dam Tailwater
Fishing License
State fishing licenses are available at tackle and bait shops
throughout the county or from the License Commissioner (256-351-4770) at
the Morgan County Courthouse in downtown Decatur, or by calling the
Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources at
1-888-848-6887.
Resident Fee:
Annual Rod and Reel
$9.50
County only, hook and line Exempt
Lifetime
$150
Non-Resident Fee:
Annual Rod & Reel ..... 7-Day Trip Permit
$16 All non-residents except those listed below ..... $8.00
$31 Florida residents ..... $16
$20 Georgia residents ..... $16
$41 Louisiana residents ..... $26
$21 Mississippi residents ..... $8
$16 Tennessee residents ..... $9.40
$16 All other states ..... $8
Note: Prices are subject to change. Those 16 years and older
are required to obtain a state fishing license. An issuing fee of
$1 is included in the prices listed.
Creel Limits (Daily)
Black Bass, all species or combinations ... 10
Walleye & Sauger (7 of 10 must
measure 14in.) ... 10
White Bass, Yellow Bass, Saltwater Striped Bass & Hybrids or
Combinations (No more than 6 of the
30 can exceed 16 inches in total length)
... 30
Crappie .... 30
Bream ...... 50
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Featured Article
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| The Heat Is On - Fishing The Dog Days Of Summer |
by: Doug Emerson
The water temps are rising, the days are long, the air is hot, and the fishing seems to be slow. When the dog days of summer arrive, fishing seems to present some
more..
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