Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Fishing Report

Reelfoot Lake Fishing Report January 29, 2010

Well folks, it looks like old man winter has returned in full force the last day or so.

Just when things had thawed out, winter has returned in a messy manor, one that is not good for much in the outdoors.

As for the outdoors is concerned, this weekend will be the final days to hunt with the Tennessee statewide and Reelfoot Lake Zone duck season coming to a close. There are still two juvenile duck hunts for the next two weekends.

From all reports, this past duck season has had its ups and downs. The first two weeks of the new year of 2010 made it really tough on the waterfowl hunters having to deal with very cold temperatures and along with that came ice, and lots of it.

The seasaonstarted out with a slow start on opening weekend but a the first major cold spell settled into the area the first week of the season, improving the seaon for most.

Some of the folks I have spoken with said this was one of their best waterfowl seasons in many years and others just didn't have as good of luck to come their way.

Information on the two juvenile hunts, theTennessee statewide youth waterfowl hunt will be February 6th and 7th ( Saturday & Sunday ). Then the next weekend, February 13th and 14th ( Saturday & Sunday ) will be the Reelfoot Lake Zone waterfowl youth hunt. On each of these hunts, youth from the ages of 6 through 15 will be allowed to hunt as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 21 years or older. Limits are applied from the regular season.

The Canadian Goose season will end in most of the state of Tennessee on January 31st. But in the Northwest Canada Goose Zone ( Lake, Obion, Weakley, some of Dyer & Gibson Counties ) will end on February 14th.

As for fishing, I was down around the Reelfoot Lake area most of the day on Wednesday. There were several folks out fishing in the Lower Blue Basin area. Winds didn't seem to be much of a problem as I could tell.

At this time of year, you have to go the days mother nature will l you. This is winter and the weather isn't suppose to be 60 to 70 degrees, but I have snhose days before.

Speaking of the weather, the latest longrange temperature outlooks are saying that February will be cold. Several artic air blast are forcast to make their way through this area over the next several weeks. If the moisture is around, you know what that means!!

I want to remind you again that the ever popular Reelfoot Lake Eagle Tours are ongoing around Reelfoot Lake right now.

Reelfoot Lake is home to one of the largest wintering populations of eagles in the country. During the peak season (Jan.-Feb.) there can be as many as 200 eagles wintering on Reelfoot. The most popular way to observe and learn about the eagles on Reelfoot is through the guided tours that are available. The state park has been conducting eagle tours every winter since 1974.

All tours are lead by state park rangers and naturalists, who provide plenty of eagle information along the way. The tours are by bus and start at 10:00 am on Monday through Friday with additional trips at 1:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tours leave from the Reelfoot Lake State Park at the times described above and last about 2 hours. There is a nominal charge and reservations are required.

Special weekend programs will also be conducted each weekend in January and February. For more information or reservations, call 731-253-9652.

I have spoken with several folks that have been on this eagle tour nd said it is well worth your time.

Til next weeks report...

Catch ya on the water folks..

Brent Callicott