U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Reelfoot

National Wildlife Refuge

Reelfoot

National Wildlife Refuge
Unmatched anywhere in

the world, the National

Wildlife Refuge System

is an extensive network

of lands and waters

protected and managed

especially for wildlife

and its habitat. Refuges

stretch across the U.S.

from above the Arctic

Circle in Alaska to the

subtropical waters of the

Florida Keys and

beyond to the Caribbean

and South Pacific. The

National Wildlife

Refuge System is

managed by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife

Service, which protects

and manages over 540

refuges for wildlife and

for people to enjoy.
cover photo:

Norm Nelson

This blue goose,

designed by

“Ding” Darling,

has become a

symbol of the

Refuge System.

Introduction

The lure and beauty of Reelfoot Lake

is fascinating not only because of the

eagles, ducks, and Canada geese that

come to winter, or its superb hunting

and fishing, but because of its unique

origin.

During the winter of 1811, time in the

central Mississippi River valley

momentarily stopped as the valley

suddenly began to shake and

violently move about. The once

peaceful woodlands rolled like ocean

waves and landslides covered many

rivers and streams. A great

depression was formed in northwest

Tennessee and waters filled the

sunken area.

Thus, Reelfoot

Lake as presently

known, was

formed as a result

of the most violent

earthquake

recorded in North

America.

Numerous shocks

were recorded

from December,

1811 to February,

1812 and after shocks were recorded

for several decades. Minor shocks are

recorded occasionally at the present

and geologists state the probability of

a major earthquake occurring in the

next fifty years is increasing.

The lake was named for a Chickasaw

warrior born with a deformed foot

causing him to “reel” as he walked.

According to legend, the chief

incurred the wrath of the Indian gods

when he kidnapped a Choctaw

princess, and took her as his bride.

Reelfoot, his princess, and tribe were

eternally entombed at the bottom of

Reelfoot Lake when the gods created

a depression into which the waters of

the Mississippi River flowed.

USFWS USFWS
The formation of Reelfoot Lake

created a valuable wetland area

which became a haven for many

wildlife species attracting hunters

and outdoorsmen such as Davy

Crockett and Jim Bowie. The rich

natural resources (wildlife, fisheries,

and fertile soil) associated with

Reelfoot Lake has repeatedly been a

source of controversy among local

special interests attempting to utilize

these resources.

Refuge History and

Management

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge is

located on the

northern portion of

Reelfoot Lake in the

northwest corner of Tennessee and

southwest corner of Kentucky. The

refuge was

established in 1941

under the terms of a

lease and

cooperative agreement with the State

of Tennessee. Additional land

purchases extended the refuge into Kentucky to its present 10,428 acres.

Due to the proximity to the

Mississippi River and being located

in its former floodplain, the refuge is

a major stopover point and wintering

area for waterfowl of the Mississippi

Flyway.

Refuge management includes forest

management, protection and

enhancement of wetland habitats,

production of waterfowl foods

through managed croplands, and

manipulation of native vegetation in

shallow wetlands, along with

managing Reelfoot Lake water

levels. The refuge also provides

interpretive, educational and wildlife

recreation opportunities for the

visiting public.

Dave Menke
Bald Eagles

Reelfoot Lake has long been known

for its large wintering population of

bald eagles. Normally 100-200 bald

eagles spend their

winter at Reelfoot

Lake. The majestic

birds are primarily

fish eaters, but also

prey on waterfowl

and other wildlife.

Eagles nested

regularly in the area

until 1963. The

environmental

effects of DDT contamination in the

1950’s and 60’s caused a decline in

eagle populations nationwide. A

nesting population of eagles became

reestablished in 1988 as a result of an

eagle hacking release program and

natural nesting. Waterfowl

The refuge and surrounding lake are

one of the major wintering, migrating

and production areas

for waterfowl in the

southeast. Ducks,

primarily mallards,

gadwall, American

widgeon and ringneck

ducks, begin arriving

in October. In recent

years, the mallard

population peaked at

close to 400,000 in

midwinter. Historical

peaks were at least double these

levels. The Canada goose, an

abundant winter visitor, normally

reaches population levels of 50,000-

100,000 during January. The wood

duck, a summer resident, nests in

large numbers at Reelfoot Lake

during the spring and summer

period.

RK Burnard Mike Lockart
Reelfoot

Lake

REELFOOT &

LAKE ISOM

National Wildlife Refuges

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GRASSY ISLAND

UNIT 

LONG

POINT

UNIT

Refuge Boundary

Refuge Headquarters

Boat Launching Ramp

Observation Tower

Hiking Trail

Handicapped Access

Wildlife Drive

Backyard/Watchable 

Wildlife Habitat Showcase

Seasonally Closed Area

All Public Access prohibited

November 15 – March 15

Waters Closed To Public Acce ss

All Public Access prohibited

November 15 – January 31

Seasonally Closed Area

All Public Access prohibited

October 15 –March 15 

Waters Closed to Public Access

All Public Access prohibited

October 15 –March 15

1282

22
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Isom Refuge was established by

Executive Order in 1938 and lies three

miles south of Reelfoot Lake. The

refuge’s 1,846 acres of

open water, forested

wetlands and croplands

resemble the larger

Reelfoot Refuge. Its

wildlife resources and

management are also

similar.

Public Use

The refuge is open to

the public from March

15-November 15 for

fishing and wildlife

observation. Hunting

is also permitted within specific

seasons. A public boat launch is

available for lake access and refuge

roads provide access to upland

portions of the refuge. Visitor Center/Office

The Reelfoot Visitor Center contains

a number of displays describing

refuge wildlife and historic events in

the Reelfoot area. The Center

provides an excellent opportunity for

the visitor to become acquainted with

the refuge before venturing out and

is highly recommended, especially for

the first-time visitor.

The Center is open daily from 8 am4 pm seven days a week except for

federal holidays. For more

information, call 731/538 2481 before

visiting.

Grassy Island Auto Tour

A self-guided wildlife drive is

available on the Grassy Island Unit.

The drive is open year-round during

daylight hours. A boardwalk and

observation platform await visitors at

the end of the drive. Additional

refuge roads are seasonally open for

wildlife recreational pursuits.

USFWS
Boat Access

Boating on refuge waters is probably

the best way to experience the

refuge. Several public and

commercial boat ramps are available

on or adjacent to the refuge. Boat

motors above 10 horse power are not

recommended due to the shallow

waters and density of stumps. Wildlife Observation

Brochures describing public use and

access and checklists for birds,

mammals, amphibians and reptiles

are available.

Hunting and Fishing

Hunting and fishing are

permitted on a seasonal basis.

Consult the refuge public use

brochure for further

information.

Accessibility for the Disabled

The Visitor Center is fully

accessible for the disabled as

are the main trail of the

Backyard Habitat Showcase and the

boardwalk at the end of the Grassy

Island Auto Tour. Large print

brochures are available on request.

Contact the Refuge Manager for

more details concerning hunting

programs.

Observation Towers Two observation towers are available

to the public year-round: one on the

Grassy Island Auto Tour and the

other in the main entrance to the

Long Point Unit.

Hiking Trails

The Grassy Island hiking trail is

located at approximately the halfway

point of the Auto Tour. The half-mile

semicircle exits on the Auto Tour for

a short trip back to the parking area.

A network of gravel/grass/wood chip

trails is located in the Backyard

Habitat Showcase. The farthest point

from the parking lot is approximately

one-quarter mile.

USFWS Larry Richardson
Backyard/Watchable Wildlife

Habitat Showcase

Explore this living demonstration of

habitat types and wildlife attractive

species of plants. A separate

brochure interprets ten numbered

exhibits along the way.

Calendar of Wildlife Events

January Waterfowl concentrations of up to

400,000 ducks and 150,000 geese can

be observed. Visitor center open daily

mid-January through mid-March. February

Bald eagle population is at its peak in

the Reelfoot Lake area. Cold weather

crappie fishing is going strong.

Canada geese are still wintering in

large numbers. Grassy Island Unit

open for fishing on February first.

March

Bald eagles begin northward migration

by the fifteenth. Nesting osprey return

from South America. The Long Point

Unit and Lake Isom open to sport

fishing on the fifteenth. Resident wood

ducks return and start nesting activity.

Large numbers of shovelers and bluewinged teal arrive on northward

migration. Wild turkey are very visible

on the Grassy Island unit.

April

The spring turkey hunt is conducted

on the first weekend in April. Spring

wildflowers blooming at Reelfoot.

Shorebirds and ducks abundant in

refuge moist soil units and

temporary wetlands.

May

Bluegill fishing is at its peek. This is

an excellent time for bird watchers at

Reelfoot. Up to 240 species have been

documented. Songbirds are abundant,

especially warblers. Mississippi kites

can be observed. This is the month for

frog listening, especially spring

peepers and tree frogs, and seeing

deer and wild turkey in the early

morning and late evening.

RK Burnard Gerald A. Gray
June

Deer fawns become visible this

month. Herons and egrets observed

fishing in shallow water. Cormorants

and occasionally anhingas present.

Emergent and floating aquatic

vegetation is blooming. Annual youth

fishing rodeo held at maintenance

shop pond in conjunction with

National Fishing Week.

July

The heat index rises to breath taking

heights in Northwest Tennessee.

Mosquitoes and deerflies swarm our

bottomland forest.

August

Refuge squirrel season opens on the

fourth Saturday of the month.

September

Marsh hawks observed near refuge

headquarters. Fall fishing for “stripes,”

crappie, and bass begins. Refuge

squirrel season ends on September 30.

October

Good hiking and canoeing weather.

Large numbers of gadwall and

American widgeon arriving. Eagle

population begins to build. Raccoon

season kicks off during the last two

weeks in October. The archery deer

season begins October 1.

November

Bald eagles are plentiful by

Thanksgiving. The two day quota

deer gun hunt is held the first

weekend in November. Grassy Island

walking trail open with excellent

wildlife observation such as deer,

turkey, waterfowl, and songbirds.

Management Units closed to public

entry on the fifteenth.

December

Excellent opportunities to observe

ducks, geese, and eagles on the Long Point unit, Kentucky Highway 1282.

The local Audubon Society chapters

conduct the annual Christmas Bird

Count.

Jon R. Nickles USFWS
Reelfoot and Lake Isom

National Wildlife Refuges

4343 Highway 157

Union City, TN 38261

731/538 2481

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

August 2006