Reelfoot Lake

[daymere]

Reelfoot Lake is the only natural lake in Tennessee, and is located in northwest Tennessee. Reelfoot Lake is known as a large, natural, unique fish hatchery.

Reelfoot Lake itself had an illustrious beginning. Now picturesque and serene, the legend is Reelfoot Lake was born violently in the throes of the infamous New Madrid earthquake of 1811-1812. A fissure opened between the Mississippi River and Reelfoot Lake's Cypress bottoms: Historians say the big river flowed backwards for three days, inundating the bottom and forming the lake.

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Reelfoot is the winter home for hundreds of Bald Eagles. Tourist come here by the thousands to see the Eagles. Reelfoot is also the winter home for thousands of Ducks and Geese, as it is located in the center of the Mississippi Flyway.

Thousands of Deer, Turkey, Doves and Quail and numerous amounts of small animals make this their home. Over 56 species of fish have been caught out of the lake.

Over 220 species of birds have been sighted here on Reelfoot. Thousands of Egrets, Loons, Cormorants, Sea Gulls and Blue Herons live here. Lots of Osprey and Mississippi Kites nest here also.

Come Visit Reelfoot Lake, Which the frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie called thier "Favorite Hunting Grounds."

In the words of Irvin S. Cobb, "Reelfoot Lake is an afterthought of creation. It is the newest and biggest thing on this hemisphere. It is the best game and fish country at and natural or artificial creation that is left in the South today".

Here lies the beauty spot called reelfoot lake which has attracted nationwide admiration, a land of delight for naturalists and the angler and the hunter.

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FISHING

Known as "The Crappie Factory". Reelfoot Lake is Tennessee's largest natural lake and the only lake in the United States where commercial netting for Crappie is still allowed. Nearly 60,000 pounds of Crappie are served locally in some of the finest down-home restaurants in the Mid South. Yearly, sportsmen catch thousands of pounds of fish per acre, four times more than any other lake in Tennessee.

The Average Crappie Caught Is Three-quarters Of A Pound And In Good Numbers.

Reelfoot Lake is the last lake in Tennessee without a Creel Limit. So full ice chests are frequently seen. Reelfoot, also renown for it's Bream fishing, has fine Largemouth Bass and Catfish. Large stringers of Bream and Lunker Bass are known to lurk in the shallows. Fishing for Bream is exciting as it is the scrappiest fish in the lake. There is also no Creel Limit on size or amount of Bream. Crappie fishing is best February through April and during the Fall. Bream fishing is fine in the spring and summer.

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WATERFOWL & OTHER HUNTSReelfoot Lake is the major wintering, migrating and production area for waterfowl in the Southeast. Ducks, primarily Mallards, Gadwall, American Widgeon and Ringneck Ducks, begin arriving in October, In recent years the Mallard population peaked at close to 400,000 in midwinter. Historical peaks were at least double these levels. The Canada Goose, an abundant winter visitor normally reaches population levels of 50,000-100,000 during January. Reelfoot Lake is located in the heart of some of the best duck and goose hunting in Mid-America. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuges border all around the lake where hunters have field blinds and pits or water blinds out on the lake itself.

There are numerous professional guides available through the resorts. They have packages available for hunting Duck, Deer, Rabbit, Squirrel, or Raccoon.

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REELFOOT LAKE CALENDAR OF EVENTSJanuary- Waterfowl concentrations of up to 400,000 Ducks And 150,000 Geese Can Be observed. Duck and Goose hunting is st it's peak.

February- Bald Eagle population is at it's peak in the Reelfoot Lake area. Cold weather Crappie fishing is going strong. Canada Geese are still wintering in large numbers.

March- Crappie and Bass fishing are excellent. Wild Turkey are very visible on the grassy island unit.

April- The Spring Turkey Hunt is conducted on the first weekend in April. Bream, "Bluegill", Crappie, and Bass fishing is at it's peak.

May- This is and excellent time for bird watchers. Up to 240 species have been documented. Fishing is still at it's peak.

June- Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo held at Maintenance Shop Pond in conjunction with National Fishing Week. Bream, Catfish, and Bass still good.

July-The Annual Reelfoot Lake Fireworks Display is held.

August- Refuge Squirrel Season opens on the fourth Saturday of the month.

September- Fall fishing for"Stripes", Crappie, and Bass begins. Refuge Squirrel Season ends on September 30th.

October- Good hiking and canoeing weather as large numbers of waterfowl arrive. Eagle population begins to build. Raccoon Season kicks off during the last two weeks of October. The 14-day Deer Archery Only Season begins the first Monday in October. Fall fishing is excellent.The Annual Reelfoot Lake Arts And Craft Show is held on the 1st weekend in October. Over 400 booths displayed.

November- Bald Eagles are plentiful by Thanksgiving. The two day quota deer gun hunt is held the first weekend In November. Grassy Island walking trail open with excellent wildlife observation such as Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, and Songbirds. Two day early hunt for ducks, coots, and Mergansers opens.

December- Duck And Goose season is open. Excellent opportunities to observe Ducks, Geese, and Eagles on The Long Point Unit. The local Audubon Society Chapters conducts The Annual Christmas Bird Count.

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Local Lodges, Campgrounds and Places of Interest.

Please click on the map to view full size. The numbers in the list correspond to the numbers on the full-size map.

[url "http://www.spav.com/progc/reelfoot/map.gif"][/url]REELFOOT LAKE TOURIST COUNCIL
P.O. BOX 9 DEPT.INT
Samburg,TN. 38254
901-538-2666

1. REELFOOT LAKE STATE PARK
R.R#1 BOX 296
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-7756

2. Sportsman's Resort
R.R#1 BOX 295
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-6581

3. GRAY'S CAMP
R.R#1 BOX 280
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-7813

BACK YARD BIRDS LODGE
R #1 BOX 286
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-9064

4. RAY'S CAMP
R.#1 BOX 5 B-1
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-7765

5. GOOCH'S RESORT
P.O. BOX 171
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-8955

6. BO'S LANDING
R#1 Box 18
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-7809

7.BOYETTE'S RESORT
R.#1 BOX 150
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-6523

8.&9. BLUEBANK/CYPRESS RESORT
R.#1 BOX 150
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-6654

10. LAKEVIEW MOTEL
R.#1 BOX 71
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-253-7516

11.BILL'S SPILLWAY CAMPGROUND
R.#1 BOX 146 A
Tiptonville, TN. 38079
901-538-3411

1 2. BOARDMAN'S RESORT
813 LAKE DR. DEPT. R.T
Hornbeak, TN. 38232 901-538-2112

13. LITTLE STONEY CAMP
1389 LAKE DR.
Hornbeak, TN. 38232
901-538-2371

14. DUCK INN
P.O. BOX 69
Samburg, TN. 38254
901-538-2364

15.EAGLES NEST RESORT
P.O. BOX 10
Samburg, TN. 38254
901-538-2143

16.BILL NATION'S CAMP
244 W. LAKEVIEW DR.
Hornbeak, TN. 38232
901-538-2177

18.SAMBURG MOTEL
BOX 54 LAKE ST.
Samburg, TN. 38254
901-538-2467

1 9.SOUTHSHORE RESORT
P.O. BOX 121
Samburg, TN. 38254



21. LITTLE DADDY'S RESORT
R.#1
Hornbeak, TN. 38232
901-538-2355
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