Fishing near Decatur, Alabama
Morgan County, population 57,938.
- under a mileto nearest paged water
- 3listed ramps nearby
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Decatur for visiting anglers
Census 2020 put 57,938 residents in the city of Decatur, Morgan County. Under a mile southeast puts you on Morgan Lake, the closest guided water. Wheeler Lake spreads widest of the lakes listed, about 57,278 acres. Flint Creek 31 boat ramp on Wheeler Lake is the nearest ADCNR-listed ramp, 3 miles away.
Wilson Morgan Park, under a mile away, is fished from land. Madison County Public Fishing Lake, a public lake managed by ADCNR, lies 38 miles out.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Decatur; miles are straight lines.
Reservoirs a short tow from Decatur
| Lake | Distance | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Lake | under a mile southeast | 25 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Wheeler Lake | 4 miles north | 57,278 (NHD outline) | TVA reservoir | 16 | largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass |
| Moulton City Lake | 16 miles west | 73 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| George Lake | 25 miles south | 159 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 |
USGS NHD lake outlines, ADCNR reservoir pages and the ADCNR WFF ramp list; read November 1, 2026.
For the spotted bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Running water close to Decatur
- Flint Creek5 miles, ADCNR river page, 1 bank or pier site, 41 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
River stage around Decatur
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Flint Creek At Red Bank Rd Se Nr Decatur, Al | 122 cfs, 9.18 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:30 pm |
| Swan Creek Below Athens, Ala | 13 cfs, 3.20 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:55 pm |
| Flint Creek Near Falkville Al | 7 cfs, 2.65 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, ADCNR river pages, ADCNR ramp lists and USGS gauges; read November 1, 2026.
Where to launch near Decatur
- Flint Creek 31 boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 3 miles
- Hickory Hills (Flint Creek 67) boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 3 miles
- Arrowhead boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 6 miles
Piers and banks within reach of Decatur
- Wilson Morgan Parkbank access, Decatur, under a mile
- Wheeler NWR Rock House Dewatering Unitbank access, Wheeler NWR, 2 miles
- Flint Creek Fishing Pier on Wheeler Lakefishing pier, Wheeler NWR, 3 miles
- Riverwalk Marina and Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakefishing pier, City of Decatur, 3 miles
- Dry Branch on Wheeler Lakebank access, Decatur, 3 miles
- Hickory Hills Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakebank access, ADCNR/Wheeler NWR, 3 miles
ADCNR WFF boat ramp list, coastal boating access and fish-from-the-bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Day-permit lakes around Decatur
| Lake | Details | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County Public Fishing Lake | 105 acres (ADCNR); Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; February 1 – August 31: Open everyday except Wednesday; August 1 – N | 38 miles |
Each State Public Fishing Lake posts its own hours and permit rules.
ADCNR State Public Fishing Lakes page, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
Shops and captains serving Decatur
Tackle stores by Decatur
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Decatursporting goods store, Decatur, 1 mile
- Decatur Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Decatur, 2 miles
- Dry Creek Marinemarina, Decatur, 3 miles
- Brickyard Landing Marinamarina, Decatur, 3 miles
- Jay Landings Marinamarina, Decatur, 3 miles
Guides and charters listed for Decatur
- SouthernCats Guide Servicecatfish guide, Decatur
Yellow Pages listings (miles only for shops with an exact point) and guide or charter business pages; read November 1, 2026.
Fishing events within reach of Decatur
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2027 | Wheeler Lake | Wheeler Lake | Alabama Bass Trail |
| May 9, 2026 | 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 for events in Morgan County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
State record catches around Decatur
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Hybrid bass | 25 lbs., 15 oz. | Sipsey Fork | 9/13/96 |
| Spotted bass | 8 lbs., 15 oz. | Lewis Smith Lake | 3/18/78 |
| Freshwater drum | 41 lbs., 8 oz. | Wilson Lake | 7/24/49 |
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. Waters within 40 miles.
Creel and size rows on a Decatur trip
For 2026-27 the freshwater annual is priced at $17.45 in state and $68.20 for nonresidents.
| 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 |
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026. Lake, river and coastal pages print any water exception.
A short drive from Decatur
Places a short drive from Decatur
- Trinity5 miles
- Priceville7 miles
- Hartselle10 miles
- Triana14 miles
- Falkville14 miles
The county around Decatur
- Morgan Countyseat: Decatur
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Decatur
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A picture guide to fish at Decatur
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Cymothoa exigua, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Basing a fishing trip in Decatur: your questions
Which reservoir or lake guide is nearest to Decatur?
Morgan Lake, under a mile southeast.
Where do bass boats from Decatur usually splash?
Flint Creek 31 boat ramp on Wheeler Lake, some 3 miles off.
Where can a Decatur family cast without a boat?
Wilson Morgan Park, under a mile away.
Which listed shop near Decatur sells bait and fresh line?
Academy Sports + Outdoors Decatur, 1 mile away.
Which Alabama county takes in Decatur?
It is in Morgan County.
What do out-of-state anglers pay to fish near Decatur?
Visitors pay $68.20 for the nonresident annual freshwater license.
Where is the widest lake near Decatur?
Wheeler Lake, about 57,278 acres, 4 miles away.
Which Alabama town guide sits nearest Decatur?
By distance: Trinity (5 miles), Priceville (7 miles) and Hartselle (10 miles).
Is there a State Public Fishing Lake near Decatur?
Madison County Public Fishing Lake, 38 miles away (105 acres (ADCNR); Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; February 1 – August 31: Open everyday except Wednesday; August 1 – N).
Do clubs hold events around Decatur?
3 events on file; the next is Wheeler Lake on Wheeler Lake, April 10, 2027.
Has a lake near Decatur produced an ADCNR state record?
Striped Hybrid bass, 25 lbs., 15 oz., from Sipsey Fork, Warrior River.