Choose the basin before you enter Reelfoot’s cypress maze
Reelfoot rewards anglers who make three decisions before launching: what species, what section of the lake, and what access point. This is an extremely shallow flooded forest, not a conventional open reservoir. About 68% of the lake is 3 feet deep or less, and productive fish habitat is mixed with stumps, cypress, vegetation, ditches and seasonal refuge boundaries.
What matters before you drive to Reelfoot today
Eagle Basin Day Use Area
Tennessee State Parks says Eagle Basin has been closed since June 12, 2026 until further notice because construction makes the area unsafe.
Blue Bank + Eagle Basin
Both areas are undergoing renovations, with intermittent closures possible during the project. Completion is currently expected in February 2027.
20 fish / 10 inches
Do not use older Reelfoot text showing a 30-fish daily crappie limit.
June 17, 2026
The latest TWRA Reelfoot entry is only a brief favorable-condition note for a June crappie event. It does not provide a detailed current August bite, depth or lure pattern.
Four things that change how you fish this lake
Winter crappie, bedding bluegill, ditch catfish and stump-oriented bass require very different starting water.
Lower Blue, Buck Basin, middle basins and Upper Blue do not fish like interchangeable pieces of one pond.
Avoid unnecessary long runs through shallow stump fields when a closer ramp serves your target water.
TWRA water, Tennessee WMA, National Wildlife Refuge and Kentucky-side water can create different access/license questions.
Reelfoot is a good example of why the newest regulation block matters
Crappie: 30
An older descriptive paragraph still visible on the TWRA lake page mentions a 30-fish crappie creel.
Crappie: 20
TWRA’s live Reelfoot Regulations section now lists 20 crappie per day combined with a 10-inch minimum.
Grassy Unit date differs
The lake-description text still displays an older seasonal closure window.
Nov. 15–Jan. 31
The current federal refuge map marks applicable Grassy Island waters closed to public access from November 15 through January 31.
Reelfoot is shallow enough to change normal lake-fishing logic
Reelfoot covers about 10,427 acres, but approximately 68% of the lake is 3 feet deep or less.
That makes cypress roots, submerged timber, vegetation pockets, basin openings and connecting ditches more important than simply searching for a deep contour.
Reelfoot species guide
Crappie
White Crappie dominate harvest. Lower Blue Basin receives much of the crappie fishing pressure, while Black Crappie can be found in the Buck Basin area.
Rule:20/day combined • 10-inch minimum.
Bluegill
TWRA rates the bluegill fishery among Tennessee’s best for catch rate and average weight.
Rule:No Reelfoot creel or length limit listed.
Catfish
TWRA highlights Nations Ditch and Walnut Log Ditch following rain, especially when current enters the lake.
Rule:No creel limit at 34″ or less; one fish over 34″/day.
Largemouth Bass
Bass density has historically been lower than some Tennessee reservoirs, but the lake offers abundant stumps, logs, cypress and bonnet stems.
Rule:15-inch minimum • 5 black bass/day combined.
Redear Sunfish
A secondary shallow-water target often worked around similar bedding and cover zones as bluegill.
Rule:20/day • no length limit.
Paddlefish
Harvest is limited to a defined spring season.
Rule:2/day • Apr. 24–May 31 • culling prohibited.
Named Reelfoot fishing areas and what each is good for
| Area | Target | When / why | Starting technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Island | Crappie | TWRA winter location in deeper Lower Blue Basin water. | Reelfoot rig a few feet off bottom. |
| Caney Island | Crappie | Another official winter Lower Blue Basin area. | Minnow-tipped Reelfoot rig. |
| Swan Basin | Spring crappie | TWRA highlights open water around 4–6 feet. | Trolling. |
| Grooms Pocket | Spring crappie | Another TWRA 4–6-foot spring trolling area. | Reelfoot rig / trolling. |
| Moultrie Field | Crappie | Submerged logs; TWRA highlights full-moon periods in April and May. | Single-pole or spider-rigging. |
| Nations Ditch | Crappie / catfish | Wind-protected jigging water; catfish opportunity after rain/current. | Jig for crappie; tight-line bottom bait for cats. |
| Donaldson Ditch | Crappie | Protected alternative during strong spring wind. | 1/8–1/16 oz jig. |
| Willow Bar Ditch | Crappie | TWRA-listed ditch fishing. | Jig tipped with wax worm or Crappie Nibble. |
| Walnut Log Ditch | Catfish | TWRA post-rain current location. | Nightcrawler or stink bait near bottom. |
| Eagle Nest Timber | Bluegill / catfish | Trolling-motor-only bluegill area; TWRA summer catfish timber. | Crickets / bottom bait depending on target. |
| Palestine | Catfish | TWRA summer submerged-log / standing-timber option. | Tight-line near bottom. |
| Buck Basin | Black Crappie | TWRA says Black Crappie in the ½–1 lb range can be found there. | Adapt to cover and seasonal depth. |
How the official Reelfoot crappie pattern changes through the year
Lower Blue Basin
Work deeper water near Green Island and Caney Island using the traditional Reelfoot rig a few feet above bottom.
Move shallower
Crappie shift toward shoreline water. Swan Basin, Grooms Pocket and Moultrie Field become key examples.
Fish cooler hours
TWRA says success is generally better early and late because air temperatures can reach the 90s.
Follow shad
Crappie feed around shad schools while building weight ahead of colder water.
The traditional Reelfoot rig
This rig is useful because it lets anglers present multiple minnows vertically while trolling deeper winter water.
- Three-way swivel
- Two leaders roughly 25–28 inches
- 3/8–½ oz sinker
- Weight roughly 14–16 inches below swivel
- Bottom hook roughly 12 inches below the weight
- Hooks baited with minnows
Strong spring wind? Stop trying to force the open-water bite
TWRA specifically warns that spring wind can make Reelfoot open-water fishing difficult and potentially dangerous.
Nations Ditch
Crappie jigging plus post-rain catfish potential.
Donaldson Ditch
More protected jigging alternative.
Willow Bar Ditch
TWRA-listed crappie jigging water.
The Channel
Another connection anglers can use when basin wind becomes uncomfortable.
Full moons + shallow cypress = Reelfoot’s classic bluegill pattern
Prime moon period
TWRA specifically identifies full moons in May as prime bluegill timing.
Prime moon period
Work bedding water carefully with crickets or tiny jigs.
Still worth targeting
July full-moon periods are also part of TWRA’s prime bluegill guidance.
#6 or #8 long-shank hook beneath a slip float, commonly 1–3 feet deep.
TWRA mentions tiny jigs around 1/80 oz, often with a BB weight for feel.
Important late-spring and early-summer bluegill habitat.
Some shallow spring areas are not ordinary powerboat water
Developed to protect shallow bluegill beds.
Also useful catfish timber in summer.
Protected shallow bluegill habitat.
Gasoline-powered boats prohibited where TWRA posts the restriction.
Rain changes where you should look for Reelfoot catfish
Nations Ditch
Check after rain when moving water enters the lake.
Walnut Log Ditch
Another TWRA-listed post-rain catfish area.
Eagle Nest Timber
Summer submerged-log and standing-timber option.
Palestine
TWRA also identifies this timber area for summer catfish.
Upper Reelfoot has seasonal no-entry water
Nov. 15 – Mar. 15
The current FWS map marks all public access prohibited in the Long Point seasonal closure area during this period.
Nov. 15 – Jan. 31
The current 2026–2027 FWS brochure/map lists this closure window for the applicable refuge waters.
Year-at-a-glance refuge access
The calendar is only a visual reminder. Long Point and Grassy Island have different exact dates; use posted FWS boundaries.
Reelfoot NWR has additional operating rules
Prohibited on refuge.
Prohibited on refuge.
Prohibited on refuge.
About 12 feet is the FWS paddling benchmark — not a guaranteed navigation depth
FWS identifies these as the best paddling months.
Depends increasingly on water level.
Vegetation can make navigation more difficult.
FWS says around 12 feet and above is usually good for paddling. A low-rain period can make the north end difficult, while the south end generally remains more accessible but is more exposed to wind.
Pick access close to the water you intend to fish
Kirby Pocket
Tennessee State Parks currently identifies Kirby Pocket’s boat ramp and boat dock as wheelchair friendly.
Accessible parking, trailer parking, restroom and fish-cleaning station are connected by sidewalk.
Kirby Pocket ramp
The ramp underwent a major widening project in 2025 and is now identified by current park accessibility information as available for use.
Sunset ramp
State Parks identified Sunset as the nearest alternative during Kirby Pocket construction.
1355 Lake Drive, Hornbeak, TN 38232.
Grassy Island
The current FWS refuge map marks a boat-launching ramp at the Grassy Island Unit.
Seasonal refuge closure rules still control access.
Tennessee State Parks currently says seven public launch ramps accommodate fishing boats and small pontoons.
State Parks says boats may be rented from local private businesses. The park itself is not presented as the rental operator.
Eagle Basin is not a current trip destination
Eagle Basin Day Use Area
Closed beginning June 12, 2026 until further notice while construction creates an unsafe visitor environment.
Blue Bank + Eagle Basin
Renovations are repairing tornado damage and improving visitor facilities. Current project completion target: February 2027.
Tennessee fishing license and Reelfoot Preservation Permit are separate
Youth under 13 are exempt from Tennessee’s normal fishing-license requirement. They are also under 16, so no Reelfoot Preservation Permit.
A Junior fishing/hunting license or qualifying fishing privilege is required. Reelfoot Preservation Permit is not required because the angler is under 16.
Carry the applicable Tennessee fishing privilege plus the Reelfoot Preservation Permit unless an exemption applies.
Residents 65+ are exempt from the Reelfoot Preservation Permit, but TWRA says they are still required to hold an applicable fishing license.
Reelfoot Preservation Permit
Useful fishing-license examples
| Angler | Current fishing option | Price | Add Reelfoot permit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN resident 13–64 | 1-Day Fishing — No Trout | $6 | Age 16–64: add $3 one-day Preservation Permit. Ages 13–15: permit exempt. |
| TN resident adult | Annual Hunting & Fishing Combination | $33 | Add Reelfoot permit unless exempt. |
| Nonresident 16+ | 3-Day Fishing — No Trout | $20 | Add $3 one-day or $10 three-day Reelfoot permit as needed. |
| Nonresident 16+ | 10-Day Fishing — No Trout | $30 | Add appropriate Reelfoot permit. |
| Nonresident 16+ | Annual Fishing — No Trout | $49 | Add Reelfoot permit unless exempt. |
| TN resident age 65+ | Annual Senior Hunt/Fish/Trap | $4 | Preservation Permit exempt. |
Processing fees may apply to Tennessee license purchases. Choose the license that fits your complete Tennessee trip, not only Reelfoot.
The Reelfoot permit applies beyond the obvious open lake
TWRA says the Reelfoot Preservation Permit is required for qualifying users of Reelfoot WMA, including the washout, marked tailwaters downstream and the Tennessee portion of Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.
Reelfoot extends into Kentucky — but it is not listed in the current TN–KY reciprocal agreement
Most of Reelfoot lies in Lake and Obion Counties, Tennessee.
LINE
Part of Reelfoot extends into Fulton County, Kentucky.
Species-by-species harvest rules
| Species | Daily creel | Length / season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth + Spotted Bass | 5 combined | Largemouth: 15″ minimum. Spotted Bass: no length limit. |
| Crappie — all species | 20 combined | 10″ minimum. |
| Catfish — all species | No limit ≤34″ | Only one catfish over 34″ may be harvested per day. |
| Yellow Bass | No limit | No length limit. |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Apr. 24–May 31 harvest season; culling prohibited. |
| Redear Sunfish | 20 | No length limit. |
| Bluegill / Warmouth / other sunfish | No limit listed | No length limit listed. |
Reelfoot’s catfish tradition includes more than rod-and-line fishing
Trotlines
TWRA says sport anglers using multiple trotlines are limited to 100 hooks total.
Jugging
TWRA notes jugging has become popular in Lower Blue Basin.
Before deploying gear
Verify current Tennessee identification, tagging, construction, checking and placement rules for the exact device.
Don’t move live bait or unwanted fish to another Tennessee water
Tennessee’s current fishing rules prohibit intentionally releasing or stocking live fish, crayfish or salamanders into Tennessee waters away from the water where they were harvested.
Reelfoot is listed as a Tennessee no-discharge reservoir
Tennessee boating rules classify Reelfoot as a no-discharge reservoir for vessels equipped with marine sanitation devices. Waste must be retained appropriately rather than discharged.
A Reelfoot trip plan that avoids the biggest first-timer mistakes
- Choose the target species first. Do not launch without knowing whether the trip is crappie, bluegill, catfish or bass focused.
- Check Eagle Basin / Blue Bank construction notices.
- Choose access near the target basin. Minimize unnecessary cross-lake stump navigation.
- Check wind. Keep Nations Ditch, Donaldson Ditch, Willow Bar Ditch or The Channel in mind as protected alternatives.
- Buy the correct fishing license and Reelfoot Preservation Permit.
- If entering refuge water, check Long Point / Grassy Island dates.
- During April 1–May 31, watch for posted gasoline-motor restrictions.
- Carry a measuring board. Crappie need 10 inches; Largemouth Bass need 15 inches.
- Slow down around timber. A short run at idle is cheaper than a prop, lower-unit or hull repair.
- If paddling, check the USGS gauge. FWS says around 12 feet and above is usually favorable for paddling.
Twelve Reelfoot mistakes this guide is designed to prevent
Current rule is 20.
It is separate from your normal fishing license.
Current day-use closure began June 12, 2026.
Use the current 2026–2027 FWS brochure.
Most of Reelfoot is extremely shallow.
Species, depth, basin, shade and nearby openings matter.
Open-water spring fishing can become unsafe quickly.
TWRA says much of the shoreline is inaccessible to bank anglers.
Reelfoot is not listed in the current reciprocal-water agreement.
Paddling conditions depend on current gauge level and vegetation.
TWRA’s latest Reelfoot entry does not contain detailed current bite data.
Current FWS regulations require refuge boats to be removed daily.
Who to call when a Reelfoot rule or access point is unclear
“I’m fishing Reelfoot on [date] for [species] near [basin/ditch/ramp]. Can you confirm current access, refuge closures, motor restrictions, and whether my license and Reelfoot Preservation Permit cover that exact area?”
Official material used to rebuild this guide
TWRA Reelfoot Lake
Species limits, lake depth, basin structure, crappie locations, bluegill timing, catfish locations, motor restrictions and lake tactics.
TWRA license pages
Fishing license requirements, senior/youth distinctions and current Reelfoot Preservation Permit prices.
2026–2027 FWS brochure + map
Long Point and Grassy Island closure dates, daylight fishing, boat removal and refuge restrictions.
FWS paddling guidance
Seasonal paddling advice, 12-foot benchmark, canoe trails and low-water navigation concerns.
Tennessee State Parks
Eagle Basin closure, Blue Bank construction, seven launch ramps, Kirby Pocket accessibility and boating guidance.
TN–KY reciprocity
Current reciprocal waters checked to prevent assuming that Reelfoot’s Kentucky portion is automatically covered.
Practical questions before you fish Reelfoot Lake
What is the current Reelfoot Lake crappie limit?
TWRA’s current Reelfoot Regulations section lists 20 crappie per day in combination with a 10-inch minimum length. Older descriptive text on the same lake page still mentions 30, so use the current regulation block.
Where is the best winter crappie fishing at Reelfoot?
TWRA recommends deeper Lower Blue Basin water around Green Island and Caney Island, generally fishing the Reelfoot rig a few feet off bottom.
Where should I fish for spring crappie?
TWRA identifies Swan Basin and Grooms Pocket for trolling around 4–6 feet and Moultrie Field for single-pole or spider-rigging, particularly around full moons in April and May.
When is the best bluegill fishing at Reelfoot?
TWRA specifically identifies full moons in May, June and July as prime bluegill periods. Cypress bases and shallow bedding areas are important targets.
Where can I catch catfish at Reelfoot Lake?
TWRA recommends Nations Ditch and Walnut Log Ditch following rain when current is flowing. In summer, Eagle Nest Timber and Palestine are additional official catfish areas.
Do I need a Reelfoot Preservation Permit?
Most users age 16 and older should plan to have one unless exempt. Youth under 16, Tennessee residents 65 or older, and qualifying Sportsman/Lifetime Sportsman license holders are exempt.
How much is the Reelfoot Preservation Permit?
Current prices are $3 for one day, $10 for three days and $16 annually. The price is the same for residents and nonresidents.
Is Eagle Basin Day Use Area open?
No. Tennessee State Parks currently says Eagle Basin Day Use Area has been closed since June 12, 2026 until further notice because of construction.
Is Kirby Pocket boat ramp open?
Current Tennessee State Parks accessibility information identifies the Kirby Pocket boat ramp and boat dock as available and wheelchair friendly. The ramp underwent a major renovation project beginning in 2025.
When does Long Point close?
The current 2026–2027 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brochure marks the Long Point seasonal closure area closed to all public access from November 15 through March 15.
When does Grassy Island close?
Current 2026–2027 FWS materials mark applicable Grassy Island waters closed to public access from November 15 through January 31.
Can I fish Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge at night?
Normal recreational fishing is seasonally permitted from legal sunrise to legal sunset Central Time in waters otherwise open to fishing.
What Reelfoot water level is good for kayaking?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says around 12 feet and above is usually good for paddling. March and April are generally best, while July and August can be harder because of vegetation and lower water.
Can I use my Tennessee license in the Kentucky portion of Reelfoot?
Do not assume so. Reelfoot extends into Fulton County, Kentucky, but the current Tennessee–Kentucky reciprocal fishing agreement lists Kentucky Lake, Dale Hollow Lake and Big South Fork rather than Reelfoot. Verify Kentucky licensing requirements before crossing the state line.
Is there a current Reelfoot fishing report?
TWRA’s latest listed Reelfoot entry is dated June 17, 2026 and is only a brief favorable-condition note related to a June crappie event. It does not provide detailed current August water temperature, depth or lure data.
Don’t fish “Reelfoot Lake” — fish one species, one basin and one pattern
The lake becomes much easier to understand when you stop treating every cypress tree as the same spot. Winter crappie use different water from spring bluegill; post-rain catfish respond to ditch current; bass relate to specific wood and vegetation combinations.
Match your launch to your target water, respect current refuge and construction closures, carry the right fishing license and Preservation Permit, and navigate Reelfoot’s shallow flooded forest conservatively.
Research and access review: . Access, refuge boundaries, regulations, water levels and construction closures can change.