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PiscaMapsUnited States Tennessee Obion County Reelfoot Lake

Fishing at Reelfoot Lake

Tennessee · Obion County and Lake County · 3,163 acres
State
Tennessee
Country
USA
Licence
State-issued
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Tennessee Reservoir 3,163 acres Open access — public water 🎣 Carp water 🌙 Night fishing

About Fishing at Reelfoot Lake

Reelfoot Lake is a public reservoir in Obion County and Lake County, Tennessee, managed by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The shoreline and water are open to the public. Public access confirmed via marquee operator.

A shallow, cypress-studded natural lake formed by the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes — famous for slab bluegill and crappie, and a heavy population of rough fish including carp and bowfin.

Reelfoot Lake covers about 3,163 acres in the West region. Anglers here mostly fish for bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, white crappie; largemouth bass, yellow bass, channel catfish, blue catfish are also on record. Neighbouring public land — Reelfoot Wildlife Management Area, Reelfoot Lake, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge — opens up bank access away from the main entry points. The nearest other mapped waters on PiscaMaps are Mud Basin and Rat Pocket.

County
Obion, Lake
Region
West
Surface area
3,163 acres
Public access
Open access — public water
Managed by
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
Night fishing
Permitted
Boats
Permitted

Fish Species at Reelfoot Lake

Species from TWRA and Tennessee fishery data.

🎣 Carp Fishing at Reelfoot Lake

Big commons and grass carp roam the shallow flats — sight-fishable in warm weather.

Active carp organisations: Carp Anglers Group.

Confidence: low

Access & Rules at Reelfoot Lake

Night fishing: No statewide night-fishing closure in Tennessee; a few individual waters have local rules — check the current TWRA regulations for this water.

Boats: Boats allowed. On the large TVA/USACE reservoirs there is no horsepower limit; TWRA agency lakes are usually electric-motor or 10 hp only.

Bank & bivvy camping: Camping is at Corps, TVA, TWRA and state-park campgrounds. Dispersed bankside camping on public shoreline is generally not allowed — use a designated site.

Tackle: Statewide creel and size limits apply; several reservoirs carry a black-bass protected slot — check the current TWRA regs for this water.

Rules verified 2026-09-01 against TWRA regulations. Always confirm the current rules before you fish.

Public Land Around Reelfoot Lake

Source: USGS PAD-US (Protected Areas Database).

Facilities Near Reelfoot Lake

Boat ramps: 12 mapped — Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp and others nearby.

Camping: 6 sites mapped nearby — Roberson Camper Lots, Campsite, R&D Lakeside Campground, Campsite, Campsite, Campsite.

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors.

Fishing Licence for Reelfoot Lake

A Tennessee fishing licence covers all public water in the state. Non-resident annual is around $50; 3-day and 10-day non-resident permits are also sold. TWRA agency lakes need an extra TWRA Lake permit. A TWRA Lake permit is required in addition to the state fishing licence.

Tennessee

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Resident annual: ~$34 Non-resident annual: ~$50 Buy: gooutdoorstennessee.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

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