This paper aims to develop suitable formulas of the drilling fluid for slow angle wireline core drilling. Firstly, the materials and properties of drilling fluid were analyzed in details. Then, three kinds of drilling fluids were prepared, namely, those with low-solid phase mud, those with no-solid phase mud, and those with weighted mud. After that, a total of forty drilling tests were carried out using each type of drilling fluids. The average coring rate was as high as 87%. Based on the test results, the drilling fluid formulas for slow angle wireline core drilling were optimized as follows: original mud + 4.5% cellulose + 5% potassium humate + 4.5% high-efficiency water loss reducer + 6% multi-effect plant gum SD-2 + 5% type 06 lubricant + water for relatively complete strata; original mud + 0.75% cellulose + 2% potassium humate + 2% multi-effect plant gum SD-2 + 5% type 06 lubricant + water for broken and collapse-prone strata; original mud + 0.75% cellulose + 5% potassium humate + 2% multi-effect plant gum SD-2 + 5% type 06 lubricant + 10% barite + water for high-pressure strata. The research results provide a good reference for drilling fluid preparation in slow angle wireline core drilling.