What should I know about crappie fishing on Reelfoot Lake before I get there?

First, check the fishing reports from the lake. Then check the forecast for the days you plan to be there. Reelfoot Lake is a shallow, natural lake located in Northwest Tennessee in Lake County, extending into Fulton County, Kentucky. It covers 15,400 acres. Most of it is more like a swamp, with bayous and ditches connecting several large basins together. The lake is full of cypress trees and is home to numerous breeding pairs of bald eagles. It is a very ‘snakey’ lake, with a healthy population of Water Mocassins (Cottonmouths), Water Snakes, Copperheads and various rattlesnakes. It is against the law to purposely kill any snake at Reelfoot. The lake was named after a legendary Cherokee, or Chickasaw (depending on who you talk to) chief who had a deformed foot, and was known as Reelfoot among the early settlers. Keeping the seasonal habits of crappie in mind, vertical jigging is by far the best method for this lake. It has a huge crappie population of both species. In fact, until 2003, it was the ONLY commercial crappie fishery in the US, with crappie being served in local restaurants. The lake has way too much cover to make casting , or trolling a viable method. Chartruese and yellow marbou jigs dropped right into cover in 12-20 feet of water usually produce a nice catch. Live minnows fished vertically on a tight line is also a productive method for this lake. Keep the minnows to the smallish side…no more than 2″ long. For the previously mentioned reasons, fly fishing is not a workable proposition, except in a few limited areas. If you want to try, Clouser minnows in OD and Charteuse produce well. If you are going to use a boat, be very careful. Numerous stumps and sunken timber, coupled with shallow water make this a hazardous lake for the unwary boater.