Fishing in Limestone County, Alabama
County seat: Athens. Population 103,570.
- 1lake pages
- 7listed ramps
- 3river and creek pages
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A Yellowhammer angler's read on Limestone County
The 2020 Census found 103,570 people in Limestone County; its courthouse stands in Athens. Its ADCNR bank sites are filed under ADCNR Fisheries District I.
The county shares in 1 paged lakes; Wheeler Lake tops the list by acreage. 7 listed ramps appear for the county on the ADCNR ramp lists. The fish-from-the-bank map marks 12 bank or pier sites, including 2 piers.
Census 2020 population; NHD lake outlines with the ADCNR reservoir program; ADCNR WFF boat ramp list, coastal boating access and fish-from-the-bank map; read November 1, 2026.
The Limestone County access map
ADCNR ramp lists, bank map and public access sites; NHD lake points and river midpoints; GNIS coastal points; read November 1, 2026.
The impoundments of Limestone County, largest first
| Lake | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Lake | 57,278 (NHD outline) | TVA reservoir | 16 | largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass |
With few lake guides inside Limestone County, the nearest ones across its line are listed by miles from Athens.
| Lake | From Athens | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Lake | 15 miles south | 25 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Moulton City Lake | 24 miles southwest | 73 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Madison County Public Fishing Lake | 32 miles east | 105 (ADCNR) | State Public Fishing Lake | 0 | largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill |
| Wilson Lake | 34 miles west | 15,500 (ADCNR) | TVA reservoir | 1 | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass |
| Little Bear Creek Reservoir | 37 miles southwest | reservoir | 0 | largemouth bass, black crappie | |
| George Lake | 38 miles south | 159 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 |
USGS NHD lake outlines (acreage of the mapped outline unless ADCNR prints one), ADCNR reservoir pages and the ADCNR WFF boat ramp list; read November 1, 2026. ADCNR publishes no lake depths.
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Out to 50 miles from Athens, black crappie heads the count of pages naming a species.
Species named in ADCNR reservoir and species pages and the ADCNR record lists, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a fish survey.
Running water through Limestone County
- Tennessee RiverADCNR river page, 205 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
- Limestone Creek45 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
- Elk River3 bank or pier sites, 33 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
Unpaged streams of Limestone County (2)
- Piney Creek40 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
- Shoal Creek (Limestone County)8 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
How the Limestone County streams are flowing
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Limestone Creek Near Athens Al | 56 cfs, 1.65 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Swan Creek Below Athens, Ala | 12 cfs, 3.19 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:55 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines and lengths, ADCNR river pages, ADCNR ramp lists and USGS gauges; read November 1, 2026.
Ramps where Limestone County trailers back down
- Arrowhead boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 1 lane, 12 trailer spaces
- Buck Island boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 1 lane, 20 trailer spaces
- Easter Ferry boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 1 lane, 8 trailer spaces
- Elk River Mills (Sportsman's Park) on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 2 lanes, 1 dock, 20 trailer spaces
- Elk River State Park on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 1 lane, 1 dock, 15 trailer spaces
- Flint Creek 31 boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 2 lanes, 20 trailer spaces
- Maples Bridge boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 2 lanes, 1 dock, 12 trailer spaces
TVA, Corps, Alabama Power and city ramps that ADCNR does not list are not shown.
Piers and banks in Limestone County
- <![CDATA[Sportsman's Park]]> on Wheeler Lakefishing pier, ADCNR
- Athens Big Spring Parkbank access, City of Athens
- Cowford Landing Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakebank access, TVA
- Hwy 31 Causeway Bridge on Wheeler Lakebank access, City of Decatur
- Limestone County Park on Wheeler Lakebank access, Limestone County Commission
- Riverwalk Marina and Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakefishing pier, City of Decatur
- Wheeler NWR Rock Housebank access, Wheeler NWR
- Arrowhead Landing Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakebank access, Wheeler NWR
- Buck Island Boat Ramp on Elk Riverbank access, ADCNR
- Easter Ferry Boat Ramp on Elk Riverbank access, ADCNR
- Elk River Lodge State Park on Wheeler Lakebank access, ADCNR/Joe Wheeler State Park
- Maples Bridge Boat Ramp on Elk Riverbank access, ADCNR
ADCNR WFF boat ramp list (public.dcnr.alabama.gov), ADCNR coastal boating access, fish-from-the-bank map and public access sites layer; read November 1, 2026.
What may go in the cooler in Limestone County
Where the digest names no exception, Limestone County water follows the statewide rows below. An annual Alabama freshwater license runs $17.45 for state residents and $68.20 for out-of-state anglers in 2026-27.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass | 10 a day | open all year |
| Walleye | 2 a day | open all year |
| Sauger | 5 a day; 15 inches TL minimum | open all year |
| White Bass | 15 a day | open all year |
| Yellow Bass | 15 a day | open all year |
| Saltwater Striped Bass and Hybrids or Combinations | 15 a day | open all year |
| Crappie | 30 a day; 9 inches TL (exemptions apply) minimum | open all year |
| Yellow Perch | No daily limit | open all year |
| Catfish (under 34 inches) | No daily limit | open all year |
| Catfish (over 34 inches) | 1 a day | open all year |
| Bream | 50 a day | open all year |
| Rainbow Trout | 5 a day | open all year |
| Alligator Gar | 1 a day | open all year |
| Sturgeon | Closed Season | Closed season (immediate release) |
| Paddlefish or Spoonbill | Closed Season | Closed season (immediate release) |
| Skipjack Herring | 50 a day | open all year |
Exception rows that reach Limestone County (1)
| Water | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Reservoir | Smallmouth bass | It is illegal to possess any smallmouth bass less than 15 inches in total length. |
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026. Size and creel exceptions as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition), limits page, read November 1, 2026.
Record-list catches from Limestone County water
Record catches nearest Limestone County came from the waters below.
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater drum | 41 lbs., 8 oz. | Wilson Lake | 7/24/49 |
| Rock bass | 1 lb., 6 oz. | Paint Rock River | 5/6/95 |
| Striped Hybrid bass | 25 lbs., 15 oz. | Sipsey Fork | 9/13/96 |
| Spotted bass | 8 lbs., 15 oz. | Lewis Smith Lake | 3/18/78 |
Alabama state record lists kept by ADCNR (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for freshwater; Marine Resources Division State Record Fish Committee for saltwater) (freshwater, saltwater), read November 1, 2026.
Events fished out of Limestone County
Organizer pages connect 2 events with Limestone County; 1 have not been fished yet.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2027 | Wheeler Lake | Wheeler Lake | Alabama Bass Trail |
| Oct. 17, 2025 | 2025 ABT Championship (Wheeler Lake) | Wheeler Lake | Alabama Bass Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ADCNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Shops and charter captains of Limestone County
Limestone County bait and tackle
- West End Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Athens
- Lucy's Branch Marinamarina, Athens
Yellow Pages listings and guide or charter business pages (county of the business), read November 1, 2026.
Down the road from Limestone County
Motel towns for a Limestone County fishing run
- Athenspop. 25,406
- Ardmorepop. 1,321
Counties ringing Limestone County
- Madison County25 miles east
- Morgan County26 miles south
- Lawrence County27 miles southwest
- Lauderdale County39 miles west
Piscifun tackle picked out for a day at Limestone County
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Fish to recognise before a trip to Limestone County
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Watts, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Fishing Limestone County: things people want settled
Which ramps in Limestone County take a trailer?
ADCNR shows 7 listed ramps; 7 come from the WFF list.
Which impoundment reaching into Limestone County is the biggest?
Wheeler Lake, 57,278 acres by its NHD outline.
What species can anglers target around Limestone County?
Black crappie lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, then largemouth bass, bluegill and blue catfish.
Does Limestone County have a listed bait and tackle counter?
West End Outdoors heads a list of 2.
Do any fishing guides work out of Limestone County?
No guide service is based here in the listings.
Where does Limestone County hold court?
The courthouse is in Athens.
Which fishing license fits Limestone County?
An annual Alabama freshwater license runs $17.45 for state residents and $68.20 for out-of-state anglers in 2026-27.
Which counties border Limestone County?
Madison County, Morgan County and Lawrence County lie closest.
What is the next trail date on Limestone County water?
2 events on file; the next is Wheeler Lake on Wheeler Lake, April 10, 2027.
Does the digest set exceptions in Limestone County?
The 2026-27 digest prints 1 water exception reaching this county, starting with Wheeler Reservoir; the table above shows each.
Line up a Saturday on Limestone County water
Ramp pages give lanes, docks and directions.