DECATUR, Ala. (May 11, 2005) — At 67,100 acres, Wheeler Lake is located in north central Alabama between Birmingham and Nashville and is one of Alabama’s most popular fishing lakes, due to its ever-growing ability to produce big largemouth bass. In addition to trophy largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white bass, crappie, catfish and sauger also call Wheeler Lake home. The lake is Alabama’s second largest and was created in 1936 by the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide year-round navigation on the river and to tap its hydroelectric power.
According to studies by the Game and Fish Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, fish grow quicker in Wheeler than any other lake because it is very fertile, has a good crop of gizzard and threadfin shad and a good supply of milfoil.
Like most renowned fisheries, Wheeler Lake is in need of additional fish habitat to maintain its high-quality angling.
During the FLW Tour event held May 11-14 anglers and fishing fans will have the opportunity to help preserve Wheeler Lake. At the tournament, wristbands will be sold for a minimum of $1 each. The wristbands signify support for the preservation and restoration of America’s great fisheries. The funds raised at the tournament will be used to improve shoreline fish habitat by placing structures near docks and other fishing areas.
The wristband conservation program is made possible through the corporate support of Castrol. Castrol has been an FLW Outdoors sponsor since 2002 and continues to find ways to give back to the community.
FLW Outdoors is an organization devoted to giving something back to the communities that host its tournaments. As it has in the past, FLW Outdoors will continue to donate a minimum of $5,000 at each of its seven Wal-Mart FLW Tour events in 2005 as well as at a variety of its other tournaments.
In 2000, FLW Outdoors announced its partnership with the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation arm of the American Sportfishing Association. Since then, FLW Outdoors has directly donated nearly $250,000 and helped to generate more than $1 million for local conservation projects.
“It’s our job to ensure that we leave a fishery in better condition than when we arrive,” said Charlie Evans, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. “We do this by maintaining an extremely high live-release rate and by contributing funds for conservation efforts in the host cities where our tournaments are held. Our long-term relationship with the FishAmerica Foundation demonstrates our commitment to continually improving America’s finest waters.”
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour and seven other national tournament circuits offering a combined $30 million in awards through 214 events in 2005. The 27-year-old organization is the purveyor of America’s largest and most prestigious fishing tournaments, including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
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