Reelfoot Lake Permit is required for all users except: those under 16 years of age; residents 65 years or older. Tellico-Citico Permit is required seasonally to fish Tellico River, Citico Creek.
Table of Contents
What is the best time to fish Reelfoot Lake?
- And in the month of March, well, it’s a crappie angler’s dream.
- As mentioned, it pays to key on the protective areas on the northwest side of the lake.
- You can catch white crappie, too, but they are typically going to be in the deeper water and a bit later.
What part of Reelfoot Lake is the best for fishing?
Popular areas to fish are near Green Island or around Caney Island. During the Spring, crappie will move to shallower water usually closer to the shoreline. The Reelfoot Rig remains popular in deeper water, but anglers will have to adapt to conditions as crappie will move vertically in the water column.
How do you catch fish at Reelfoot Lake?

What is the limit on crappie at Reelfoot Lake?
Reelfoot Lake has 30 daily creel limit on crappie and no limit on bluegill. Four to seven pound large-mouth bass are fairly common.
Is there a size limit on crappie at Reelfoot Lake?
Some crappie are being caught fishing a cork and minnow around the stumps. Also jigging the stumps with red / char jigs. Remember, the limit is 30 Crappie per day per man. There are no size limits on Reelfoot Lake.
Are there snakes in Reelfoot Lake?
cottonmouth that is often times. found near Reelfoot Lake. Remember these snakes are. dangerous and should be left alone.
What’s the limit on crappie in Tennessee?
Establish daily creel limits for black bass- 1 fish/day, bluegill/redear- 20 fish/day, catfish- 5 fish/day, crappie- 30 fish/day, and trout- 5 fish/day.
Are crappie biting at Reelfoot?
Crappie usually start biting in early to mid-March in the deep water stumps. They move to shallow water in early April and the pre-spawn period is excellent. Crappie can be caught in the deep water stumps until July. Fall crappie fishing is good during September and October.
Do seniors get free fishing license in Tennessee?
Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits and allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Annual Senior Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all license agents.
Can you fish from the bank at Reelfoot Lake?
Fishing is productive by boat and from the bank, pier and boardwalk. A special lake permit is required. The park has five public boat launch ramps to accommodate fishing boats and small pontoon boats. Fish cleaning stations are located throughout the park.
How much is a 1 day fishing license in Tennessee?
One-day fishing permits for all species is available for $6.50. Permanent licenses for disabled veterans with a rating of 30% or more due to war service or who are rated 100% due to service-connected disability are also $10. Tennessee fish and game licenses are also available.
What’s the deepest part of Reelfoot Lake?
Reelfoot Lake currently covers 15,000 acres, with a maximum depth of 18 feet and an average depth of 5.5 feet. It is the only large natural lake in Tennessee.
Where is the best crappie fishing in TN?
Among their top picks for crappie fishing lakes: Reelfoot Lake, Center Hill Reservoir, Boone Lake, Watauga Lake and Kentucky Lake.
Can I keep crappie?
Crappie are commonly kept in outdoor ponds, however, it is possible for them to thrive in aquariums too. Get a large fish tank and set it up with a substrate, driftwood, artificial plants, and a filter.
Is there a limit on bluegill in Tennessee?
Bluegill: 50 per day, no length limit. Warmouth and other sunfishes: no creel or length limit. Trout: 7 per day, only two may be lake trout.
Is Reelfoot Lake good for bass fishing?
Fortunately, Reelfoot’s fertile waters support outstanding bluegill, crappie, catfish and bass populations, and the fish tend to relate to shallow cover.
Can you keep striped bass in Tennessee?
Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass: 2 per day in combination, 15 inch minimum length limit. White Bass: 15 per day, no length limit. Yellow Bass: no creel or length limit. Rock Bass: 20 per day, no length limit.
What do I need to fish in Tennessee?
The best live baits for bass include worms and minnows set 1 to 3 feet below a bobber with a small weight placed 2 inches above the hook. Hooks should be larger than those used for bluegill. Largemouth have large mouths. Bass can, also, be caught using artificial lures such as jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, etc.
Can you swim in Reelfoot Lake?
While the shallow lake offers many opportunities for boating and fishing, swimming in the lake is not permitted. The park has several hiking trails that are popular for bird watching and wildlife viewing. There are two campgrounds at Reelfoot Lake State Park.
Do water moccasins live in Tennessee?
These venomous snakes, also commonly known as “water moccasin,” cottonmouth snakes occur in the western third of Tennessee, including counties on the northern Highland Rim.
Are there water moccasins in the Tennessee River?
East Tennessee has two of those species native to the area: The copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. Quite a few would also say they’ve spotted the cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin) swimming in the rivers and lakes of East Tennessee, however, cottonmouths are only found on the western end of the state.
How many rods can you fish with in Tennessee?
Each angler permitted only one rod or pole.
How many hooks can you fish with in Tennessee?
Unless otherwise restricted in this proclamation, anglers are restricted to a maximum of 3 hooks per rod, pole or hand-held line. Single, double or treble hooks each count as one hook.
How many crappie can you catch a day in Tennessee?
Black bass- creel limit 10, no length limit. Bream- creel limit 50, no length limit. Catfish- no creel limit, only one per day over 34 inches. Crappie- creel limit 50, no length limit.