wilson sept 2001

Impounded 1924
Lake Level: Full Pool
Water Temperature: Upper 80’s
Water Clarity: Lightly stained

Its a small lake, especially when compared to upper Wheeler Lake’s 68,300 surface acres of water. Wilson Lake, sandwiched between Wheeler Lake and Pickwick lake, has only 15,930 surface acres of water. But this small, north Alabama lake has set many records, including the world record smallmouth.

Its no secret, that some of the best Tennessee river fishing for smallmouth bass, takes place right below Wheeler dam, at Wilson lakes headwaters. Here, throughout the summer months, anglers fool these feisty-fighting bass during both day and night fishing excursions. As summer comes to an end, these fish have settled into a summertime pattern and many remain here throughout the Fall months, as they feed and fatten up for the upcoming winter season.

There are many ways to approach these bass, that dwell in the fast flowing waters of Wilson Lakes headwaters. First, let me say, you must wear a life jacket when within 800 yards of the dam. These are swift waters, its the law, and it might just save your life in an emergency situation.

Many anglers just drift in the current, as they go 1-2 miles downstream, then crank up and go back to the dam, for another drift. Some use live bait, such as minnows, shad, live crayfish or leeches. Other anglers drift in the current, dragging lures behind the boat, bumping bottom. This can be heavy spinnerbaits, tube baits, jigs, spoons, lead tail spinners, rooster tails, shad imitations, grubs, sassy shads, or worms and lizards.

Many other lures can either be cast in the boils, fished along the banks or tried around the rocks and island below the dam. Deep diving crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits, are excellent late summer lures, when these bass either suspend or hold a little deeper. Rattletraps cover a lot of water fast, and about anything that bites, will hit these shad look-a-likes. Topwaters are great especially in early morning hours or during late evenings, when bass and stripers school below Wheeler dam in Wilson Lake’s headwaters.