Tennessee Boating Regulations
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| 2013 First Hike Participants - Click on each to view a larger image | ||
Annual Events
Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Tours - Early January through the end of February
Annual Eagle Festival - February
Deep Swamp Canoe Trips - March and April
Scenic Boat tours - May through September (Canceled 2012 due to low water levels)
Round House Reunion – 50’s and 60’s Musical Event, 3rd Sunday in September
Arts and Crafts Festival - 1st weekend in October
Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Tours – January and February
During the winter months Reelfoot Lake is home to approximately 200 American Bald Eagles and spectacular numbers of waterfowl. Experienced park naturalists lead daily bald eagle and waterfowl bus or van tours from early January through the end of February. Eagles can be seen perching, flying or soaring, and snatching a fish or waterfowl from the lake. Telescopes for viewing and intriguing information about the natural and cultural history of the wildlife and area are provided. Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Tours reservations are required and can be made by calling the Visitor Center at 1-731-253-9652. View flyer.
Winter Programs - Programs by invited guest speakers or park staff are offered every Saturday night during the winter eagle season. These programs cover a wide variety of themes such as bald eagles, Reelfoot Lake, photography, history, other interesting topics, and live birds of prey demonstrations. Live birds of prey exhibits offer visitors an opportunity to view up close these magnificent creatures and to learn of their importance in nature. Programs reservations for groups can be scheduled by calling the park Visitor Center at 1-731-253-9652.
Deep Swamp Canoe Trips – March and April
Join park naturalist for a unique canoe trip into the old growth Cypress forest of Reelfoot Lake. The canoes glide around huge cypress trees, a variety of birds are usually seen, including a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. This is one of the most unique areas of Reelfoot Lake, a place very few people have visited. Guided trips are offered Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. during March and April. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the park’s visitor center at 1-731-253-9652.
Crappie fishing is best toward the end of March through the first part of May. Crappie activity will slow down during the hot summer months and will increase again around October when the water temperature cools. Fishing for Crappie can be good throughout the winter. Bream and Bluegill fishing usually starts getting active around late April and will continue through early July. Bluegill become active again in September. Largemouth Bass fishing is good from March through late October. Yellow Bass or Striped Jack as the locals call them are the most active fish from July through September. Catfishing is done during the spring and summer months using conventional tackle, yo-yos, limb lines and trot lines. A valid Tennessee Fishing License is required of all anglers over 13 years of age. A lake permit is also required of anglers over age 16.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations Reelfoot Lake State Park has three hiking trails that are very popular and an auto tour that circles the lake. The Airpark Trail is a 45 minute walk through old cypress forest and second growth vegetation. The Keystone Trail winds along the shoreline of Reelfoot Lake for 1.5 miles and is the only lakeshore trail. The Black Bayou Trail goes along the old bayou for approximately 2 miles and is an excellent bird watching and wildlife observation walk. The Auto Tour visits 12 points of interest and circles Reelfoot Lake. Reelfoot Lake State Park's R.C. Donaldson Memorial Museum features natural and cultural exhibits of the area, audio visual programs, and a cypress boardwalk. The museum is open year-round except for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Admission is free. HOURS: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Call (731) 253-9652 for information. A part of Reelfoot Lake State Park's R.C. Donaldson Memorial Museum, the nature center, houses various non-releasable raptors, some snakes, and other wildlife of the area. Open year-round except for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Admission is free. Reelfoot offers visitors approximately 200 picnic sites located within several areas of the park. Most of the sites have grills. Five large picnic pavilions for group use and six smaller two table shelters are available. All sites and pavilions are adjacent to drinking water, and public restrooms. Most picnic sites are near playgrounds and fishing piers. All sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Large pavilions can accommodate groups of 50 to 120, offer grills, tables, and electricity, and may be reserved for a nominal fee by calling 1-731-253-9652.