Wood ducks, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee
Public land · Tennessee

Reelfoot WMA

Wildlife management area · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Open to duck huntingRules checked Oct 22, 2026
Wood ducks, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee. Photo: USFWS
State
Tennessee
Type
Wildlife management area
Managed by
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Size
About 24,000 acres plus the lake waters
Official page
Agency page

About 24,000 acres plus the lake waters under TWRA rules. This is where public duck hunting happens on Reelfoot Lake; the federal refuges on the lake are closed to waterfowl hunting.

Spot guideReelfoot LakeTips, access, rules and live water levels
Official rules

Waterfowl rules

  • A Reelfoot Preservation Permit is required to hunt, fish, trap or boat on the WMA. Exempt: Sportsman and Lifetime Sportsman license holders, youth under 16, and residents over 65.Source: TWRA Reelfoot WMA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Shooting ends at 3 p.m. Central, except on the last day of each season segment.Source: TWRA Reelfoot WMA · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Blinds are allocated through TWRA's tier and quota system. Leftover drawings for Reelfoot are held at Reelfoot State Park, 2595 TN-21E, Tiptonville.Source: TWRA public land duck hunting · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Wheelchair-only blind applications must reach the TWRA Region 1 office by noon on the fourth Friday of October (Oct 23 in 2026).Source: TWRA migratory birds · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Temporary blinds must be at least 200 yards from any permanent blind, and all decoys and blind materials must be removed daily. Plastic or metal decoy containers are banned while hunting on Reelfoot Lake. If a permanent blind's permit holder is not in it by legal shooting time, the first party to occupy it may use it that day.Source: Tennessee rule 1660-01-02 (TN Secretary of State, PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Access

Access and ramps

  • 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

Not confirmed yet

  • The Reelfoot Preservation Permit fee is not listed on TWRA's page.
  • Names and locations of all seven state park ramps still need to be confirmed from the park map.

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction.

Before you go

Check the rules and the water

Confirm this season’s rules on our state law pages or the agency’s own site, check draw and permit deadlines, and look at today’s river levels on the migration map. Areas can close or flood on short notice.