Anglers Accept Challenge of Limestone Waters

​Anglers Fishing for a Challenge in Limestone County Waters

​Wheeler Lake, Tennessee River and Elk River are known by anglers as very rich fishing waters that will challenge their abilities and knowledge to the brink.  The waters of Wheeler Lake’s 67,100 acres stretch from Guntersville Dam to Wheeler Dam in Rogersville including the rich-confluent waters at the Elk River, making it Alabama’s second largest lake.   Wheeler Lake is the host waters for the Alabama Bass Trail, SeaArk Owner’s Invitational Fishing Tournament, Cabela’s King Kat Fishing Tournament, City of Athens Relay for Life Fishing Tournament, Heartland Anglers Bass Tournament, Friday Night Bass Tournament, Saturday Night Open Series and Chick Fight Tournament.
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Record or near-record breaking...

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... Bass and Catfish are being pulled from the waters.  The 2019 King Kat Tournament saw Ohio Angler Carl Morris Jr. weigh in with 114.96 pound Catfish, an all-time record haul for any weigh in for the King Kat tournaments series.  The 2019 super-Catfish surpassed Killen native Tyler Moses record set during the 2018 King Kat Tournament of 89.96.

With Smallmouth, Largemouth and Spotted Bass flourishing in the grasses, ledges, bays and Tennessee-Elk confluence along Limestone County's southern shore, many anglers are even hitting the waters off season to hone their skills, test equipment and extend their fishing season.  Each angling season sees a variety of trucks with boats in tow from all over the United States and Ontario Province looking to hit our renowned waters for a challenge.

Bass aren't the only prolific yet illusive fish in the waters of Limestone County.  Bream, Shad, Carp, Blue Gill, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish lurk in the waters as well making for an adventurous reel in.   Catfish are commonly reeled in weighing in teens to twenties but folks will tell you it's not uncommon to hear of thirty pounders pulled from the Elk River.  Truly adventurous 'noodlers' have pulled man-sized Catfish from the waters in days gone by that fed entire communities.

With Tennessee Valley Authority's Lakes app for I-phone and Android finding boat ramps, navigational charts, dam water release schedules, water hazard alerts and lock schedules easy for any angler to take to the waters of Limestone County, Wheeler Lake and the Tennessee Valley Authority controlled waters.

Outdoor Alabama App offers an I-phone and Android App that helps anglers hit the water with access information, online license purchasing, season and regulation references, easy reporting for bag limits and harvest and more.

Two RV parks- Cowford Landing and Riverview RV Park - rest on the shores of the Tennessee River/Wheeler Lake waters offering boat launches and docks to shorten any angler's trip to the water.

Transient slips are available at Lucy's Branch Marina once in the water.  Fuel station, convenience store and repair shop as well as a sit down restaurant can also be found at the marina on Snake Road or at Tennessee River Mile Marker 287 for any angler's need that arises on the water.  The Limestone County Park Lucy's Branch has a boat ramp adjacent to Lucy's Branch Marina making for easy access to their services.

Anglers looking for scales to confirm their big catch, a variety of baits and lures, sunglasses, or some refreshment will want to drop into the West End Outdoors at the Chevron where Washington Street meets U.S. Highway 72 in Athens.