Fishing Reelfoot Lake

AKA: Reelfoot Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Reelfoot Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Reelfoot Lake, TN

Popular Fish Species Reelfoot Lake, TN

Crappie Fishing

Good crappie fishing at Reelfoot Lake continues to impress crappie anglers again this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Reelfoot Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

Reelfoot Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Reelfoot Lake is considered one of the tougher bass fishing lakes in the region. There is so much cover, they can be hard to locate. Anglers that do find them are catching bass in the 3 to 4-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Fishing for largemouth bass is challenging but can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being caught. In Reelfoot Lake, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Reelfoot Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and paddlefish at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee.

Reelfoot Lake, located in northwestern Tennessee, is a unique and captivating fishing destination that offers anglers a one-of-a-kind experience. This 15,000-acre natural lake, formed by a series of earthquakes in the early 1800s, provides excellent fishing opportunities for a variety of popular fish species.

Reelfoot Lake is widely known for its exceptional crappie fishing. Both black crappie and white crappie thrive in the lake's shallow waters, making it a haven for crappie anglers.

In addition to crappie, Reelfoot Lake supports other popular fish species. The lake is home to abundant populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. Largemouth bass can be found near the lake's numerous shallow grass beds. Bluegill, a favorite among panfish anglers, can be caught using small jigs or live bait near the lake's shoreline. Channel and blue catfish also reside here.

Primary fish species residing in Reelfoot Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Reelfoot Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Southshore Resort Boat Rentals
Rentals: Jon boats and pontoons
731 538-2467

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Reelfoot Lake Public Access
This is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. It is located on the west side of the Upper Blue Basin.

Sunkist Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.