Fishing near Madison, Alabama
Madison County, population 56,933.
- 14 milesto nearest paged water
- 3listed ramps nearby
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Starting a fishing day in Madison
56,933 people lived in Madison, a city of Madison County, at the 2020 count. Wheeler Lake is the closest water with a guide, about 14 miles to the southwest. Trailers go in at Triana boat ramp on Wheeler Lake, about 9 miles out.
Shore anglers drive about 9 miles to Triana Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lake. ADCNR's Madison County Public Fishing Lake is some 22 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Madison; miles are straight lines.
Still water by distance from Madison
| Lake | Distance | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Lake | 14 miles southwest | 57,278 (NHD outline) | TVA reservoir | 16 | largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass |
| Morgan Lake | 16 miles southwest | 25 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Madison County Public Fishing Lake | 22 miles east | 105 (ADCNR) | State Public Fishing Lake | 0 | largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill |
USGS NHD lake outlines, ADCNR reservoir pages and the ADCNR WFF ramp list; read November 1, 2026.
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- Limestone Creek5 miles, 45 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
Current flow near Madison
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek Near Madison Al | 298 cfs, 2.66 ft gage height | Aug 21 8:00 am Not updated since Aug 21, 2026. |
| Limestone Creek Near Athens Al | 56 cfs, 1.65 ft gage height | Nov 12 12:00 am |
| Mcdonald Creek At Patton Road Nr Huntsville Al | 204 cfs, 0.95 ft gage height | Oct 10 11:30 am Not updated since Oct 10, 2026. |
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.
The Madison access map
- Triana boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 9 miles
- Arrowhead boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 11 miles
- Cotaco Creek (Sharpe's Ford) boat ramp on Wheeler LakeWheeler Lake, 12 miles
Bank and pier fishing by Madison
- Triana Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakebank access, ADCNR/Triana, 9 miles
- Brahan Springs Parkfishing pier, City of Huntsville Parks and Rec., 9 miles
- Talucah Beach Day Use Area on Wheeler Lakebank access, Wheeler NWR, 10 miles
- Arrowhead Landing Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lakebank access, Wheeler NWR, 11 miles
- Wheeler NWR Rock Housebank access, Wheeler NWR, 11 miles
- Cotaco Creek on Wheeler Lakebank access, ADCNR/Wheeler NWR, 12 miles
ADCNR WFF boat ramp list, coastal boating access and fish-from-the-bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Small state lakes near Madison
| 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 | 22 miles |
Public Fishing Lakes are fished under ADCNR permit and hour rules.
ADCNR State Public Fishing Lakes page, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
Supplies and hired help near Madison
Where Madison anglers buy shiners and crickets
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Madisonsporting goods store, Madison, 4 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Huntsville, 6890-a Governor's Drive Westsporting goods store, Huntsville, 5 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Huntsvillesporting goods store, Huntsville, 5 miles
- J C's Gun & Tackle Shop Incbait and tackle shop, Huntsville, 8 miles
- Buster's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Huntsville, 9 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Huntsvillesporting goods store, Huntsville, 10 miles
- Tc's Custom Rods & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Harvest, 10 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Huntsville, 2718 Carl T. Jones Drivesporting goods store, Huntsville, 12 miles
Yellow Pages listings (miles only for shops with an exact point) and guide or charter business pages; read November 1, 2026.
Competition days near Madison
| 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 Madison County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
Record-list water by Madison
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock bass | 1 lb., 6 oz. | Paint Rock River | 5/6/95 |
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.
What goes in the cooler on a Madison outing
Freshwater privileges for a year cost an Alabamian $17.45; anglers from elsewhere pay $68.20.
| 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.
In the Madison neighbourhood
Other towns near Madison
- Huntsville5 miles
- Triana9 miles
- Harvest10 miles
- Athens12 miles
- Priceville14 miles
County fishing guide for Madison
- Madison Countyseat: Huntsville
Line and reels from Piscifun before a run to Madison
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Reservoirs, rivers and bays close to Madison, pictured
Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Shawn Taylor, CC BY 2.0
Photo: gardener41, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions from anglers who sleep over in Madison
What reservoir sits nearest Madison?
Wheeler Lake, 14 miles southwest.
How far is Madison from a listed ramp?
Triana boat ramp on Wheeler Lake, 9 miles away.
Which ADCNR bank site is nearest Madison?
Triana Boat Ramp on Wheeler Lake, about 9 miles.
Which bait shop is nearest Madison?
Academy Sports + Outdoors Madison, 4 miles away.
What county covers Madison?
Madison County; its county guide plots every listed ramp.
Which ADCNR license fits a long weekend in Madison?
The out-of-state annual freshwater license is $68.20.
Which nearby lake gives Madison anglers the most room?
Wheeler Lake, about 57,278 acres, 14 miles away.
Which neighbouring town page borders Madison?
Closest: Huntsville (5 miles), Triana (9 miles) and Harvest (10 miles).
Which ADCNR public lake is closest to Madison?
Madison County Public Fishing Lake, 22 miles away (105 acres (ADCNR); Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; February 1 – August 31: Open everyday except Wednesday; August 1 – N).
What weigh-ins happen around Madison?
3 events on file; the next is Wheeler Lake on Wheeler Lake, April 10, 2027.
Which record lines name water around Madison?
Rock bass, 1 lb., 6 oz., from Paint Rock River.
Stay a few nights in Madison and fish each morning
Each lake, river and bay above opens a full page.