Wheeler branch?

Has anyone been to wheeler branch lately thinking of going soon

Always been tempted to go try and get a new species with them having walleye... Supposed to be fine eating too!

Im curious about this lake too if anyone has some input

You'll be lucky if you catch a walleye. Tough to do.

But, we are heading into the best season for this lake regarding largemouth bass. If they are actively spawning, throw a chartreuse lizard and drag it, Carolina Rig, T-Rig. I watched my friend, Sam, catch about 20 of them in about a 10 foot stretch fishing off the bank between the inlet and the fishing pier. Two of us were throwing dark blue worms on T-Rigs and they weren't nearly as excited about it but we did okay that day, too.

Also, fish the dam side of the little island where it drops off into deep water. That has always been productive for me.

I also like fishing the rip rap along the dam and the outside/inside edges of vegetation lines.

If it is a windy day, it'll be 3X as windy on Wheeler Branch. It sits up pretty high and really catches the wind at times.

Brad

You should try and go before they crank up the lawnmower for the season. It is a city park. For me, nothing kills a bluebird day, clear water, and all the 1-lb bass you want than a 20 HP gasoline engine humming in your ear. And by mid-afternoon just when you think there is not possibly anything else to mow, and the peace and solitude you were seeking since 8 AM is surely about to happen, they mow rocks and dirt in areas that haven't seen humans since the last time it didn't need mowing. I've come to hate the effing place.

Ha! I just have to laugh. This is SO TRUE. I have been out on Wheeler a dozen times when the lawnmowers and weed-eaters get going. To say it is annoying is an understatement. And, the lake is small so you can't get far enough away from it to cut off the misery.

It could be worse, for other reasons. Lake Arlington comes to mind for me.

Brad

I am thinking of giving it a go tomorrow....I have a lease in Hamilton and go by there all the time but have never stopped.

Went out 2 weeks ago. I was there from 2:30 until 7:00. didn't have a single bite until about 6:15. Caught 7 around the island within 30 minutes.

Entrance fee should still be $8 and they usually open at 7 am and close at dark.

I think Cody, I, and others have mentioned the island before. Wheeler Branch fishes really well in the pre-, spawn, and post-spawn; but, it seems that once hotter weather gets here, it can be a tough lake for many. At least for me, I have decided it is because of its clear water, that the bass are more dialed in to sight eating and they seem to school up tightly on the lakes following shad and bait fish around. Not so much if they have spawning in mind, of course, which spreads them out temporarily around the lake perimeter.

So, there will always be a few fish everywhere, maybe the schools are off chasing shad, but some individuals all over. When it is tough, I float out to the island first thing in the AM, fish my way over to it, then off to the deep side, left, toward the dam. There is a decline there. Drop shot works best for me as a fool-proof way to catch fish early in the AM.

I almost always circle the island, work a few other spots around it. There are some holes on the opposite side that are productive.

Then, I head off to the dam and fish the rip-rap, then the weed line from the dam back into the ramp area. I like the swim platform area to the fishing pier, too, very productive if they are sitting in shallower water. And, if you ever happen to be there when they are bringing water into the lake? Every species of fish in the lake will stack up by the inlet. Throwing some sort of crankbait seems to work really well.

Well, there ya go. I think that sort of kayak day plan usually netted me about 10 to 12 bass over the hot summer months. For now, I'd be fishing the island and the banks for spawners. It seems to me they remain on the banks in good numbers until May or so.

Still my favorite lake in North Texas.

Brad