Reelfoot Lake: A Duck Hunter's Guide to Tennessee's Waterfowl Country
If you've never hunted Reelfoot Lake, it belongs on your list. Tucked into the northwest corner of Tennessee, Reelfoot is one of the most unique and productive waterfowl destinations in the entire Mississippi Flyway — and it's the home water that inspired every hat we make at Reelfoot Hat Co.
What Makes Reelfoot Lake Special
Reelfoot Lake was formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812 — one of the most powerful earthquake sequences in North American history. The quakes caused the Mississippi River to flow backward temporarily, flooding a low-lying forest and creating a shallow, cypress-studded lake that would become a waterfowl paradise.
Today, Reelfoot spans roughly 15,000 acres across Lake and Obion counties in Tennessee. Its shallow depth (averaging just 5 feet), abundant aquatic vegetation, and cypress timber make it ideal habitat for mallards, teal, wood ducks, gadwall, and a host of other species. The lake sits directly under the Mississippi Flyway, one of the four major migratory bird corridors in North America, making it a natural funnel for ducks moving south each fall.
When to Hunt Reelfoot
Tennessee's duck season typically runs from late November through late January, with a split season structure. Early teal season in September is a favorite for many hunters — the weather is warm, the birds are plentiful, and the lake is at its most beautiful before the leaves drop.
Peak mallard hunting usually hits in December and January when cold fronts push birds down from the north. A hard freeze up the flyway can produce some of the best shooting you'll ever see on Reelfoot.
How to Hunt Reelfoot
Most hunters access Reelfoot through one of the several public wildlife management areas managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The Reelfoot Lake State Park and surrounding WMAs offer public hunting with a permit system — check the TWRA website for current regulations, quota hunts, and access rules before your trip.
Guide services are also available and worth considering if it's your first time. Local guides know the lake's ever-changing timber holes, vegetation beds, and bird patterns in a way that takes years to learn on your own.
Gear-wise, you'll want waders, a reliable layout or timber blind setup, and decoys weighted for shallow water. And of course, a good hat — one that can handle early mornings, light rain, and the kind of weather that makes the ducks fly.
Our Picks for the Lake
We built Reelfoot Hat Co. around this place, so naturally we have a few recommendations for what to wear on the water.
For the blind, the Duck Camo Patch Hat and the Vintage Style Mossy Oak Patch Hat are our go-to field hats — durable, low-profile, and built to handle whatever the lake throws at you.
For the lodge, the truck ride, or the post-hunt meal at a local diner, the Reelfoot Round Leather Patch Trucker and the Reelfoot Pebble Leather Patch Hat are the ones we reach for. Clean, classic, and a conversation starter for anyone who knows the lake.
Come Hunt With Us (In Spirit)
We're proud to be from this corner of Tennessee. Reelfoot Lake isn't just a hunting destination — it's a way of life for the people who grew up here. Every hat we make carries a little bit of that with it.
If you're planning a trip to Reelfoot, we'd love to outfit you for it. Browse our full hat lineup →