Fishing Reports - Wheeler Lake

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Wheeler Lake has a notable large portion of milfoil weeds from below Decatur Bridge with mixed in stomp fields covering the entire length of the lake. Wheeler Lake is the largest of the three lakes (Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick). Wheeler has very few creeks east of Decatur, most of the larger creeks are down-river of Decatur Bridge, and include Mallard Creek, Elk River, First and Second Creeks. The Decatur Flats are well known for their abundant hydrilla and milfoil grass mats with meandering creek channels and large stump rows lining the creek channels which make for a year-round bass habitat.

During cold fronts bass merely move to the nearest creek channel drop off and position on any type of wood or rock structure they can find. Sam prefers to fish spinner baits, large jigs and pork trailers, rattletraps in 1/4 and 1/2 ounce sizes; large plastic worms, senkos and creature baits work well. Smallmouth bass are mostly found from the nuclear plant down river. Three factors that pertain to this are 1) water depth, 2) abundant rock covered points with pea gravel bank cover and 3) rock bluffs. Sam prefers using smaller lures for these bronzebacks with jerk baits, hair jigs in brown and black, small 200 or 200 series Bandit crank baits and spinner baits, which can cause any big smallmouth to end up in your livewell.