Just some questions about fishing down there.. One is there just campgrounds around or do you have to stay at one of the lodges? and do you need a permit for your own boat to use the lake ( like a Fee)? would love to head down next spring..
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Just some questions about fishing down there.. One is there just campgrounds around or do you have to stay at one of the lodges? and do you need a permit for your own boat to use the lake ( like a Fee)? would love to head down next spring..
Yes there are a few campgrounds right on the lake.
Thanks
No special permit for the boat but each person fishing needs a Reelfoot Lake preservation permit.
If you are staying at the State RV Campground no permit is required.Quote:
Originally Posted by eseaee1
Thanks all I guess now it time to start planning and looking into the area some more .. Also One last question Is it a safe lake for a Kayak or would you fish out of something bigger ?
I've seen many Kayakers and canoes out there. I have been on it a few times with my 8 ft Basshunter. As long as the winds are under 10 mph you should be good to go. A sudden storm or higher winds and you will be in a world of hurt in a hurry. That lake gets very rough with anything higher so pay careful attention to conditions and forecast and don't stray too far from your launch point.Quote:
Originally Posted by eseaee1
License Information | Tennessee Fishing Guide | eRegulations.com
Reelfoot Lake Permit is required for all users except: those under 16 years of age; residents 65 years or older.
Thanks again started trying to find some campgrounds for tents and seeing what is around there ..
Well, I'm really confussed now. What I got out of this is you need a Reelfoot Lake Preservation permit unless you stay at the state campground but everybody needs a Reelfoot Lake permit if you're over 16.
I have been told repeatedly by the people at the Park Campground and the Rangers there that as long as you are staying at the campground a lake permit is not required. That is how it is at all TN state park campgrounds on lakes that otherwise require a separate permit.
Also considering there is a boat ramp and small harbor as part of the campground I would assume the people working there for the state know what they are talking about. They sell permits at the campground office but will not sell you one if you are a guest in the campground as it is not needed. I camp there 4-5 times a year and ask every now and again to make sure nothing has changed. Same way with Pinoak and Cub lake in Natchez Trace which I am at nearly every other weekend.
The official TWRA website says this
Reelfoot Lake Permit is required for all users except: those under 16 years of age; residents 65 years or older.
Reelfoot Preservation Permit—Annual (Type 089)
$17
Reelfoot Preservation Permit—Three-Day (Type 088)
$10.50
Reelfoot Preservation Permit—Daily (Type 090)
$3.50
All I can advise is what I have been told for the past three years. To be safe ask someone when you arrive. Park rangers are numerous in the area and patrol the campground very regularly plus the Camp Host is nearly always there. They advise me to show the TWRA officers my camping receipt if checked and that I am good to go. License required of course. I have permits for many area lakes as well as the TWRA Lakes but have never had to purchase a Reelfoot permit yet because I am always camping when there. I am not a lawyer and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night so YMMV The permit is relatively cheap and would gladly buy one if required. As I said I was actually refused one because I was staying in the RV Campground.
Actually one Park Ranger lives at the entrance to the campground so information is easy access. This is the South RV Campground, not the old Airpark Campground. Whatever you do, bring plenty of skeeter spray and the strongest you can find. You will need it up until we get a frost!!!!
I would buy one of I were camping or not. I'm not saying anyone is wrong or right but I've never heard or read anything saying one was exempt from having to purchase a lake permit if camping at the state park. I could be wrong and most the time are but I wouldn't take a chance.
Think about it. Reelfoot as well as others are state park lakes. Campers are already paying for access to said lakes with their camping fees often with waterfront sites. This is different from someone just coming to use the lake that otherwise has free access to the rest of the park. I also went through this at Pinoak lake in Natchez trace the first few times I camped there. I would drive way out of the way to the Lodge to purchase a permit without mentioning I had a campsite there. After I told the clerk once that I had a campsite I learned I did not need the permit to fish or use the lake. Permit there was $1 a day back then. Only $2-3 now. Again I could be wrong but only because park personnel that should know the rules have told me this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Minner
Yea I camped there every year since 2002 until last year and they never mentioned it to me. But it didn't matter because I fished more times when I wasn't camping than when I was. On a side note don't try to use the boat ramp if your not camping there at the time because they are quick to let you know it's for people who are camping at the time only. No signs posted saying this but its what they told me back in March one day when I was taking out.
Here's what I copied from the regulation booklet. Notice the contact name that is in bold, italics, underlined and in red. It's pretty plainly worded about who needs a permit but those interested can interpret this any way they please.
128-REELFOOT
LAKE/OBION COUNTIES • 24,000 ACRES NORTH OF HWY. 22 AND EAST OF HWY. 78 JEFF MARTIN (731) 253-7343
No WMA permits are required. However, in addition to regular hunting and fishing licenses, a Reelfoot Preservation Permit is required to hunt, trap, fish or boat on Reelfoot WMA, (including the washout and tailwaters downstream as marked, and that portion of Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee). The exceptions are Sportsman License holders, Lifetime Sportsman License holders, youth under 16 and residents over 65.
Ark I was about to post exactly what you have copied. Been through this a couple times, I bought my son a lifetime license when he was two years old (almost 19 now) and buy my sportsman every year also my stepfather fishes with me on cool days and he is 80. Been checked with each in the boat and was told by the warden no permit was required for the three of us. I had already done my homework so I knew we didn't need one. So with that being said if you come to the foot to fish I'd get the preservation permit, its not likely you'll get checked but at least you will be legal:)
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BigD, I wasn't sure. I buy annual Non-Resident Hunting and Fishing license each year along with a Reelfoot permit. I've never camped over there since I live so close. I don't know which way it falls, but for the annual fee of $17, its worth the money to help the lake.
I asked a Park Ranger at Natchez Trace this weekend while camping there if he knew anything about Reelfoot permits and he didn't. He did say that since Pinoak, Cub, and all the others in State Parks are owned by the parks that is why you don't need separate permits for them if staying there but he felt you probably do need one for Reelfoot since the State Park system does not own that lake. However he was not sure. Just get a permit and CYA since no one seems to really know the answer. It is only a few $.
That's good advise on many levels!! :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by tnriverluver