Reelfoot Lake is a lake in Lake County, Tennessee.
A productive day at Reelfoot Lake often begins with choosing a small piece of cover and fishing it carefully. Cypress trunks, submerged wood and vegetation give an angler plenty to examine, but they also make careless boat handling costly. Bring a plan for crappie or bluegill, allow time to learn the water, and resist the urge to race from one promising patch to another.
For crappie, a small jig beneath a float offers a manageable starting point. Set the bait above the cover rather than dropping it blindly into branches. Change the depth in small increments, keeping the rest of the setup consistent so you can tell what made a difference. A longer rod can help lower a bait beside wood without repeated casts through it.
Bluegill call for an even lighter approach. A cricket or small worm on a modest hook, supported by just enough float to track it, is a useful option where bait fishing is permitted. If tiny fish constantly pull at the bait, try a smaller piece or move a short distance before replacing the whole rig. Carry forceps and spare hooks; delicate tackle and submerged timber are an unforgiving combination.
In warm weather, organize the trip around comfortable fishing hours and a manageable return route. In cooler conditions, slow the presentation before assuming you need a different lure. Wind that makes the float impossible to follow is a good reason to choose a more sheltered, legally accessible position.
Reelfoot's most distinctive fact is its origin: the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812 created the lake. Tennessee's natural-area program also identifies it as a National Natural Landmark. That history gives the cypress landscape a significance beyond its fishing reputation.
The surrounding forests and wetlands support wintering bald eagles and many other birds. A winter visit can combine fishing with wildlife watching, provided both activities take place in areas open to visitors. Give resting birds space and use binoculars instead of moving the boat closer.
| Lake | Reelfoot Lake |
|---|---|
| Tennessee counties | Lake and Obion |
| Water area | Approximately 15,500 acres |
| Maximum depth | Approximately 18 feet |
| Reported volume | 80,300 acre-feet |
| Representative coordinates | 36.416000, -89.354000 |
| Lake type | Natural lake associated with the New Madrid earthquakes |
Area, depth and volume are reference figures rather than a description of today's water level. The coordinates identify a point on the lake, not a boat ramp or roadside entrance.
Crappie and bluegill are central to Reelfoot's fishing reputation, but the lake's recorded fish list is much broader. The following inventory includes smaller forage fish and species that many visitors will never target. Presence does not mean equal abundance, easy catches or permission to harvest every species.
Much of Reelfoot's shoreline is undeveloped, and bank access is limited in the middle basins. Select an established public fishing location or operating launch before leaving home. A shoreline visible on a map is not necessarily reachable on foot or open to public use.
For a first boat trip, ask about the launch conditions and a suitable route for your boat's draft. Keep a navigation reference available offline, wear a properly fitted life jacket, and allow extra time for unfamiliar water. A visible gap between trees does not establish a safe passage underneath the surface.
Reelfoot has special permit requirements, and some refuge areas close seasonally. Check current Tennessee fishing rules, Reelfoot preservation-permit requirements and exemptions, and the refuge's notices for your intended area. Posted motor restrictions also matter. Do not carry a harvest limit remembered from a previous season into a new trip without checking it.
It can be, especially with help choosing a legal access point and a manageable area. Keep the first outing simple: one target species, one basic rig and enough time to understand how the cover affects the presentation. A local guide can be useful for learning navigation as well as fishing.
Yes, if you want another option. A weedless soft plastic lets you work around cover with fewer exposed hooks. Inspect the line after contact with wood, and choose tackle that gives you control without turning every snag into a broken rig.
No. Access boundaries, private property, seasonal refuge closures and posted restrictions still apply. Confirm the particular bank, launch and basin you intend to use, rather than assuming the whole lake follows one access schedule.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.