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Wheeler Lake

Decatur · Huntsville · Hartselle · Priceville · Mooresville, Alabama — Limestone County.

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52,372Surface acres
34Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 88572193, 2 mapped parts).

Location & fast facts

Where Wheeler Lake is in Alabama

The red circle marks Wheeler Lake.

Fast facts

About Wheeler Lake

  • Counties: Limestone, Lawrence, Morgan, Lauderdale, Madison, Marshall
  • Cities & towns on the shore: Decatur, Huntsville, Hartselle, Priceville, Mooresville
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 24 mi from Huntsville and 77 mi from Birmingham, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Alabama: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in Alabama

Official ADCNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 34 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Swimming. 3 public beach or swim spots on the map (details)
  • Camping. 31 campgrounds within 15 mi, 8 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil and Whorled hydrilla recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.
  • No lifeguard listed. None of our sources lists a staffed lifeguard. Swim at your own risk and watch children closely.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Lake map

Wheeler Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Joe Wheeler State Park Campground (campground)Jay Landings RV Park (campground)Wheeler Lake Campground at Mallard Creek KOA (campground)Cowford Campground (campground)Riverview RV Park (campground)Easter Posey Campground (campground)Ditto Landing (campground)HWY 101 Campground (campground)Point Mallard Camp Ground (campground)Arrowhead Ramp (Boat launch)1Bluff City Boat Ramp (Boat launch)2Boat ramp (Boat launch)3Boat ramp (Boat launch)4Boat ramp (Boat launch)5Boat ramp (Boat launch)6Boat ramp (Boat launch)7Boat ramp (Boat launch)8Boat ramp (Boat launch)9Boat ramp (Boat launch)10Boat ramp (Boat launch)11Boat ramp (Boat launch)12Cotaco Creek Ramp (Boat launch)13Ditto Landing Marina Boat Ramp (Boat launch)14First Creek Boat Ramp (Boat launch)15Flint Creek 31 Boat Ramp (Boat launch)16Goldfield Branch Ramp (Boat launch)17Guntersville Dam Reservation - Northside (Boat launch)18Guntersville Dam Reservation -Southside (Boat launch)19Hickory Hill Boat Ramp (Boat launch)20Ingalls Harbor Boat Ramp (Boat launch)21Ingalls Harbor Decatur Ramp (Boat launch)22Jay Landings Marina Boat Ramp (Boat launch)23Joe Wheeler State Park Ramp (Boat launch)24Madison County Boat Harbor Boat Ramp (Boat launch)25Madison County Park Boat Ramp (Boat launch)26Osprey Point Boat Launch (Boat launch)27Riverwalk Marina Boat Ramp (Boat launch)28Round Island Creek Boat Ramp (Boat launch)29Round Island Creek Ramp (Boat launch)30Second Creek Boat Ramp (Boat launch)31Spring Creek Boat Ramp (Boat launch)32Sunnyside Boat Ramp (Boat launch)33Triana Boat Ramp (Boat launch)34Ditto Landing (Beach)35Mallard Creek Beach (Beach)36Talucah Beach (Beach)371 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launchBeach Campground
  1. 1Arrowhead Ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Bluff City Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  4. 4Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  5. 5Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  6. 6Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  7. 7Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  8. 8Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  9. 9Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  10. 10Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  11. 11Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  12. 12Boat ramp
    Boat launch · Huntsville
  13. 13Cotaco Creek Ramp
    Boat launch
  14. 14Ditto Landing Marina Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Huntsville
  15. 15First Creek Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  16. 16Flint Creek 31 Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  17. 17Goldfield Branch Ramp
    Boat launch
  18. 18Guntersville Dam Reservation - Northside
    Boat launch
  19. 19Guntersville Dam Reservation -Southside
    Boat launch
  20. 20Hickory Hill Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Decatur
  21. 21Ingalls Harbor Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Decatur
  22. 22Ingalls Harbor Decatur Ramp
    Boat launch · Decatur
  23. 23Jay Landings Marina Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  24. 24Joe Wheeler State Park Ramp
    Boat launch
  25. 25Madison County Boat Harbor Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Huntsville
  26. 26Madison County Park Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Huntsville
  27. 27Osprey Point Boat Launch
    Boat launch · Decatur
  28. 28Riverwalk Marina Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Decatur
  29. 29Round Island Creek Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  30. 30Round Island Creek Ramp
    Boat launch
  31. 31Second Creek Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  32. 32Spring Creek Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  33. 33Sunnyside Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  34. 34Triana Boat Ramp
    Boat launch
  35. 35Ditto Landing
    Beach
  36. 36Mallard Creek Beach
    Beach
  37. 37Talucah Beach
    Beach

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 88572193, plus 1 more mapped parts), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Wheeler Lake

We found 31 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Wheeler Lake, 14 of them within 5 miles. 8 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

14 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Alabama

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Wheeler Lake, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (34.6275, -86.9859). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Wheeler Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Wheeler Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    34 public access sites listed, 34 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Arrowhead Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.6019, -86.8917
    Bluff City Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5483, -86.7812
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.6597, -87.1100
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.7786, -87.2194
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.5736, -86.9185
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6965, -87.1555
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.6035, -86.8521
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.5662, -86.8881
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.7023, -87.1479
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.8011, -87.3237
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.8213, -87.3164
    Boat rampHuntsville—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5766, -86.5594
    Cotaco Creek Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5435, -86.7270
    Ditto Landing Marina Boat RampHuntsville—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5768, -86.5594
    First Creek Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.8207, -87.3164
    Flint Creek 31 Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.4899, -86.9661
    Goldfield Branch Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.7377, -87.2458
    Guntersville Dam Reservation - Northside——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.4315, -86.4056
    Guntersville Dam Reservation -Southside——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.4257, -86.4026
    Hickory Hill Boat RampDecatur—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—FeeBoating34.5592, -86.9327
    Ingalls Harbor Boat RampDecatur—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6227, -86.9955
    Ingalls Harbor Decatur RampDecatur—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6247, -86.9953
    Jay Landings Marina Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6226, -87.0094
    Joe Wheeler State Park Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.7931, -87.3695
    Madison County Boat Harbor Boat RampHuntsville—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5653, -86.5480
    Madison County Park Boat RampHuntsville—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5623, -86.5459
    Osprey Point Boat LaunchDecatur—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5451, -86.9314
    Riverwalk Marina Boat RampDecatur—Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6163, -86.9720
    Round Island Creek Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6848, -87.0712
    Round Island Creek Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.6851, -87.0700
    Second Creek Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.8461, -87.3672
    Spring Creek Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.7296, -87.2838
    Sunnyside Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating34.5757, -86.7261
    Triana Boat Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp—No feeBoating34.5798, -86.7308

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Public beaches

    On OpenStreetMap: 3 beaches and swimming spots on the shore of Wheeler Lake not marked private, residents-only or members-only.

    BeachTypeAccessDirections
    Ditto LandingBeachAccess not tagged; check posted rulesGet directions
    Mallard Creek BeachBeachAccess not tagged; check posted rulesGet directions
    Talucah BeachBeachAccess not tagged; check posted rulesGet directions

    Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near Wheeler Lake

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Wheeler Lake

    How big is Wheeler Lake?

    Wheeler Lake covers about 52,372 acres in Decatur, Huntsville, Hartselle and Priceville, Alabama (Limestone County).

    Is there a public boat launch on Wheeler Lake?

    Yes. 34 public trailer launches are listed: Madison County Park Boat Ramp, Bluff City Boat Ramp and Jay Landings Marina Boat Ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Can you swim in Wheeler Lake?

    OpenStreetMap shows 3 public beach or swimming spots on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Wheeler Lake?

    Yes. We list 31 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 14 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Wheeler Lake?

    Wheeler Lake touches Decatur, Huntsville, Hartselle, Priceville and Mooresville in Limestone County, Lawrence County, Morgan County, Lauderdale County, Madison County and Marshall County, Alabama.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Wheeler Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Alabama lakes & ponds · All waters in Decatur