Reelfoot Lake is considered one of the top duck hunting destinations in the United States. Located in northwest Tennessee, Reelfoot Lake provides excellent habitat for migrating waterfowl and draws thousands of duck hunters every year. But is Reelfoot Lake really as good for duck hunting as its reputation suggests? Let’s take a closer look at what makes Reelfoot Lake such a prime duck hunting location and whether it lives up to the hype.
Overview of Reelfoot Lake
Reelfoot Lake is a large shallow natural lake located in the northwest corner of Tennessee. It was formed by a series of powerful earthquakes along the New Madrid Fault Line in 1811-1812 which caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards, flooding the surrounding forested land. Today, Reelfoot Lake covers around 15,000 acres and is surrounded by a protected wildlife management area encompassing over 40,000 acres.
The lake and surrounding wetlands provide ideal habitat for migrating waterfowl. Flooded timber, buttonbush swamps, and agricultural fields surrounding the lake attract thousands of ducks and geese during the winter migration seasons. Blue-winged teal, mallards, gadwall, wigeon, and wood ducks are among the most common species found at Reelfoot Lake. The combination of food sources, shelter, and shallow open water make it a prime wintering ground and rest stop for ducks along the Mississippi Flyway.
Waterfowl Migration Patterns at Reelfoot Lake
One of the biggest draws of Reelfoot Lake for duck hunters is the impressive number of ducks that migrate through the area each winter. The peak migration occurs from November through early January as waterfowl travel south for the winter. It’s estimated that over 200,000 ducks winter at Reelfoot Lake most years.
The first ducks start arriving in late September and early October. These early migrants are mostly teal and wood ducks. By late October, the migration is in full swing with thousands of ducks arriving daily. Large numbers of diving ducks like redheads, canvasbacks, and ring-necked ducks start to show up in November and December. Mallards and black ducks also arrive by the thousands during these months.
By late December and January, the overall duck numbers begin to decline at Reelfoot as some birds start migrating back north. But excellent duck hunting can still be found into late January. The last ducks don’t leave until February and March as warmer weather returns.
Duck Hunting Habitats at Reelfoot Lake
In addition to its location on the Mississippi Flyway, Reelfoot Lake offers tremendous habitat diversity that attracts migrating ducks. Habitats found around Reelfoot Lake include:
- Flooded timber – Over 4,500 acres of dead trees that were killed in the 1811-1812 earthquakes provide shelter and roosting areas.
- Buttonbush swamps – Dense stands of buttonbush offer protective cover.
- Open water – Shallow lakes and ponds give ducks areas to feed and rest.
- Agricultural fields – Nearby soybean and corn fields provide high-energy foods.
- Grassy sloughs – These wetlands hold seeds and invertebrates that ducks feed on.
- Moist soil units – Drawdown areas managed to promote wetland plants.
This combination of wetland habitats supplies food, shelter, and water – everything migrating ducks need to rest and feed. The diversity also means there are opportunities for different hunting styles and locations.
Public Hunting Areas at Reelfoot Lake
Reelfoot Lake has an abundance of public land open to duck hunting. The two main public hunting areas are Reelfoot Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
Reelfoot Lake WMA
At over 25,000 acres, Reelfoot Lake WMA offers the most public hunting opportunities. It covers much of the northern half of the lake. Hunting Pressure can be heavy on weekends, but boats and blinds are spaced out enough to avoid overcrowding most days. There are dozens of boat ramps providing access.
Habitats include flooded timber, buttonbush swamps, and open water pools. Drawdowns and planting of agricultural crops help provide abundant food sources. Hunting methods include boating into open water areas, setting up temporary blinds along the shoreline, or hunting permanent blinds in flooded timber.
Lake Isom NWR
Lake Isom NWR protects the southern shoreline of Reelfoot Lake, encompassing over 12,000 acres. It offers fewer public hunting opportunities compared to Reelfoot Lake WMA with limited spots available via a lottery drawing. But hunting pressure is lighter for those lucky enough to draw a blind.
There are both open water and flooded timber hunting options. Moist soil management helps create excellent duck foods. The refuge often holds good numbers of diving ducks that prefer more open water habitats.
Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Regulations
Duck hunting at Reelfoot Lake is managed under Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regulations. Key regulations include:
- Non-toxic shot required – Lead shot is banned for all waterfowl hunting.
- Valid Tennessee hunting license and duck stamp required.
- Daily bag limit – 6 ducks per person per day.
- Wood duck bag limit – 2 wood ducks per person per day.
- Legal hunting hours – 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Hunters should review the annually updated Tennessee hunting regulations for other rules like species restrictions and season dates. Special regulations may apply for certain public land hunting, such as only allowing temporary blinds in parts of Reelfoot Lake WMA.
Peak Duck Hunting Times at Reelfoot Lake
Duck hunting success varies throughout the season at Reelfoot Lake. The peak migration periods usually offer the best hunting. Here is an overview of the best hunting times:
- Early November – The first major push of ducks arrives in early November. Excellent hunting for early migrants like teal, wood ducks, and gadwall.
- Mid November to Mid December – The heart of the migration. Huge numbers of ducks at Reelfoot Lake. Great hunting for all species.
- Late December to January – Total duck numbers decline but still good opportunities, especially for diving ducks.
Hunting remains open until the end of January. But cold temperatures and dwindling food supplies usually make late season hunting tougher.
Time of day also impacts hunting success. Flight activity is highest in low light periods:
- Early morning – 1-2 hours before and after sunrise.
- Late afternoon – 2 hours before sunset.
Hunting in the middle of the day and overnight can still produce opportunities as ducks move around to feed. But the mornings and evenings usually see the most duck activity and best success.
Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Tips
Veteran Reelfoot Lake duck hunters have learned some tricks over the years for finding and attracting ducks in this massive area. Tips for improved success include:
- Look for locations near duck foods – Scout for recent plantings or natural wetland foods that will draw in ducks.
- Set up downwind of areas holding ducks – Ducks will fly into the wind when leaving roost sites.
- Use decoys and calling sparingly – Too much can scare wary ducks.
- Keep a low profile – Stay hidden in blinds and avoid unnecessary movement.
- Be mobile – Use a boat to change locations and find where ducks are actively feeding or flying.
- Later seasons favor divers – Open water hunting produces more diving ducks in December/January.
Local guides at Reelfoot Lake can be a huge asset for learning the lake, scouting bird movements, and setting up in the right areas.
Reelfoot Lake Duck Species
The variety of high-quality wetland habitats at Reelfoot Lake attracts a wide range of duck species for hunters to pursue. The most common species recorded during surveys include:
Duck Species | Characteristics |
---|---|
Mallard | Abundant puddle duck, feeds in water and fields |
Wood Duck | Colorful puddle duck of flooded timber |
Gadwall | Common puddle duck that forms large flocks |
American Wigeon | Often found with gadwall in shallow water |
Green-winged Teal | Fast little puddle duck, early migrant |
Blue-winged Teal | Most abundant early season duck |
Northern Shoveler | Uncommon but regular sight in grain fields |
Northern Pintail | Elegant puddle duck of open wetlands |
Redhead | Common diving duck in open water |
Canvasback | Regal diving duck, winters in large rafts |
Ring-necked Duck | Small diving duck, often mixed with Scaup |
Lesser Scaup | Plentiful diving duck in November |
Greater Scaup | Rare version of Lesser Scaup |
Hooded Merganser | Decent numbers in flooded timber |
Common Merganser | Fish-eating diver, present by late season |
Ruddy Duck | Stiff-tailed diving duck of open water |
This wide variety of puddle ducks and divers provides diverse hunting opportunities in different habitats across Reelfoot Lake.
Conclusion
Reelfoot Lake clearly lives up to its reputation as one of the premier duck hunting destinations in the United States thanks to its location, habitats, and healthy duck numbers. The combination of flooded timber and open water hunting provides amazing mixed bag opportunities for a wide range of duck species from November to January. Public land access offers a chance at quality hunting without the cost of private leases or guides. While hunting pressure can be stiff on peak weekends, there is enough space and variety that hunters willing to explore should enjoy success during the migration seasons. There are certainly good and bad days for hunting at massive Reelfoot Lake, but the peak of duck migration almost guarantees excellent shooting for duck hunters capable of scouting bird movements, adjusting tactics, and hunting smart. When the migration is on, Reelfoot Lake offers an incredible duck hunting experience.