TWRA is now publishing fishing forecast for area lakes: The TWRA wants to build a comprehensive report each week of the state’s lakes. If you do not see a report for your favorite lake and you are someone who can provide a report please contact us at Ask.TWRA@tn.gov and provide us with your contact information
Reelfoot Lake Fishing Report:Â Â Â Â 12 June 2023
Forecast Contributor – Brent Callicott
Water levels slowly dropping in Reelfoot Lake with a low Mississippi River and lack of rainfall. The Mississippi River has a lot to do with water levels in Reelfoot Lake because of the water table. The river being just a mile to two miles from the banks of Reelfoot Lake.
We were able to be at or above average on rain for this time of year recently, but the pattern lately has been dryer than normal.
So, Reelfoot Lake water temps continue to rise but the recent cool down will cause the water to drop a few degrees through say today. Upper 70’s, low 80’s are right now.
Watercolors continue to get that summer look. Usually at this time of year as the water temps rise and air temp rise, watercolors change and get thicker with greenish and brownish tint.
Oxygen levels are usually ok but if we go longer periods of time without fresh water, things change and not for the best.
Reelfoot Lake continues to drop everyday little by little. Despite that and water qualities dropping some, the Bluegill bite remains tops. Then following close by is the Catfish bite. Bass would be third and Crappie last. In the last couple of years, the Bluegill bite has gone well into the June month and some through July.
Crickets and Wax Worms best choice of bait. Look for a few leftover beds as well as fish Cypress Trees that shows signs of the small roots that are at the edge of the water levels. These areas are cleaned off and white looking. Bluegill beds also put off a certain smell and once you experience that smell you won’t forget it.
Catfish are being caught a variety of ways both with Yo Yo-s and rod and reel.
Bass still best around some trees and certain lily pad patches. Some seed moss showing up and that is usually another good place to start with certain weed less topwater baits.
Overall, going into July, August, September, the bite may or usually might slow down but if we end up with on and off rains and a cooler summer, this may change things. The key is some summer rain and cooler than normal days.
But one thing for sure, usually a Bluegill, Catfish or Bass bite is possible in the heat of the summer.
07 June 2023
Forecast Contributor – Brent Callicott
Summer temperatures are here.
As of early week, Reelfoot Lake was seeing water temperatures in the upper 70’s to lower 80’s. Water levels on Reelfoot were also in the 12.09-foot range. That is 282.31 foot above sea level. Watercolor is changing on Reelfoot each day. As the air temps warm, so does the water temperatures. The waters start to get a thicker, greening, soupy look. I like to say thick looking water. I was seeing water change just in areas of a few hundred yards. Now this will start to change lake wide, and the waters will mainly become one color or close to that.
As for the fishing, the fishing overall has been pretty good. I would rank the Bluegill and Catfishing as the best with Bass fishing a close second. Then the Crappie fishing which is mainly slow to fair at best.
Bluegill are still being caught in large numbers around beds. This could be around duck blinds, logs, grass or near certain trees. Crickets, wax worms and small artificial grubs. Some are also using live scope marine electronics.
Catfish are being caught on both rod & reel and yo yo’s. Some in the ditches, then the Lower Blue Basin area of the lake and some large Cypress Trees.
Bass are being caught using blade type blades around trees, some grass and lily pad patches. Look for some baitfish movement.
The bite on Crappie is pretty much an all electronics bite. Chasing one fish at a time with live scope marine electronics. Lower Blue Basin and deeper waters of the lake are the best areas.
