Largemouth Bass

Athens, Alabama, sits in the heart of prime largemouth bass country, with easy access to the legendary Tennessee River and its impoundments. Wheeler Lake, in particular, offers exceptional largemouth fishing. The lake's diverse habitat, including grass flats, submerged timber, and rocky points, provides ample cover for bass to thrive. Spring (March-May) is undoubtedly the peak season, as bass move shallow to spawn. Target pre-spawn staging areas with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The post-spawn period can also be productive with topwater lures. A local tip: focus on the Decatur Flats area. During the summer, switch to deeper structure with Carolina rigs and jigs. Wheeler Lake largemouth are known for their size and aggressive strikes. Several boat ramps provide access to the lake, but be mindful of heavy recreational boat traffic during the summer months.