How it hunts
Reelfoot is a shallow, stump-filled lake in the northwest corner of Tennessee, and one of the most famous duck spots in the South. Public hunting happens on TWRA's Reelfoot WMA; the two national wildlife refuges on the lake are closed to waterfowl hunting.
Run slow, it's a stump field
The lake is a flooded forest full of submerged stumps and standing timber. Idle where you don't know the water. The traditional local boats are narrow, flat and shallow for exactly this reason.
Hunt the refuge edges, not the refuge
Huge numbers of birds rest on closed refuge water. Set up on legal WMA water along the flight lines in and out, and never enter posted closed areas.
Know your route in the dark
An empty permanent blind goes to whoever is in it at legal shooting time, which makes for early-morning races. Run your route in daylight first and bring a GPS.
Plan for fog and ice
Fog is common: hold still and keep calling soft. When ice forms, an open hole with a few decoys draws birds, but you still have to pull everything at the end of the day.
Watch the clock
Shooting ends at 3 p.m. on most days, which catches visitors off guard. Keep your spacing from other groups on a crowded lake.
Getting there and ramps
Reelfoot WMAOpen to duck hunting
- WMA land: TN-78 north of Tiptonville, then east on Eagle Nest Rd, Ernie Pierce Rd or Choctaw-McCutcher Rd.Source: TWRA Reelfoot WMA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
- Reelfoot Lake State Park lists seven public boat ramps for fishing boats and small pontoons. As of Oct 19, 2026, Long Park is partly closed for about 12 weeks of pier work but its ramp stays open; the Eagle Basin Day Use Area has been closed since June 12, 2026.Source: Tennessee State Parks, Reelfoot Lake boating · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Reelfoot and Lake Isom National Wildlife RefugesClosed to duck hunting
Access details are on the area page.
- A Reelfoot Preservation Permit is required to hunt or boat on the WMA (some license holders are exempt). Shooting ends at 3 p.m. Central except on the last day of each segment.Source: TWRA Reelfoot WMA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Rules
- Tennessee duck season: Nov 28–29 and Dec 5, 2026–Jan 31, 2027.Source: TWRA migratory birds · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
- Temporary blinds must be at least 200 yards from any permanent blind; pull all decoys and blind materials daily; no plastic or metal decoy containers on the lake.Source: Tennessee rule 1660-01-02 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
- Mid-segment WMA quota applications are open Oct 21–Nov 10, 2026; Late segment Nov 18–Dec 8.Source: TWRA migratory birds · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
- Waterfowl hunting is prohibited on Reelfoot NWR and Lake Isom NWR.Source: USFWS Reelfoot and Lake Isom NWR regulations · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Not confirmed yet
- The Preservation Permit fee is not listed on TWRA's page.
Water levels
Best water level: Managed lake; no agency publishes a duck level
Source: USGS 07027000 · checked Oct 22, 2026
No official forecast for this gauge
Source: USGS Water ServicesDraw deadlines and season openers, sent before they close.
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