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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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