Tennessee · Fishing
Fishing in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis sits along the Mississippi River, and while the big river itself draws plenty of attention, the city's fishing scene is built largely around a collection of oxbow lakes, chutes, and impoundments tucked into the floodplain on both sides of the state line.
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Memphis sits along the Mississippi River, and while the big river itself draws plenty of attention, the city's fishing scene is built largely around a collection of oxbow lakes, chutes, and impoundments tucked into the floodplain on both sides of the state line. Robertson Lake, Kilowatt Lake, Robco Lake, and Mosquito Lake are among the spots locals return to regularly, offering calmer water and more manageable conditions than the main channel. Hopefield Chute, sitting on the Arkansas side just across from downtown, gives anglers a connected backwater environment where current and still water mix. Memphis Union Mission Lake and Old Optimist Boys Camp Lake round out a set of smaller, often overlooked waters that can fish well precisely because they see lighter pressure. The species mix across these lakes runs toward largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream — the bread-and-butter of Mid-South freshwater fishing. None of the listed waters carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so manage expectations accordingly: this is productive, accessible warmwater fishing rather than trophy-destination angling. That said, the Mississippi River corridor creates rich habitat, and anglers who learn a few of these lakes well tend to find consistent action throughout the warmer months.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Tennessee fishing license to fish these lakes, and does that cover Hopefield Chute?
You need a valid Tennessee fishing license for waters on the Tennessee side, including Robertson Lake, Kilowatt Lake, Robco Lake, Mosquito Lake, and the others listed within Memphis proper. Hopefield Chute sits in Arkansas, so fishing there requires an Arkansas fishing license instead. If you plan to fish both sides of the river on the same trip, you'll need both state licenses.
What species can I realistically expect to catch at these Memphis-area lakes?
The lakes in this list are warmwater fisheries, so largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill are the most consistent targets. Hopefield Chute can also hold flathead catfish given its connection to the Mississippi River system. None of these waters are designated trout fisheries, so don't plan a trip around trout.
What time of day fishes best, and what seasons are most productive?
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are the most reliable windows, especially for bass and crappie during warmer months when surface temperatures climb. Spring is the strongest overall season as fish move shallow to spawn, making lakes like Robertson and Kilowatt particularly productive from March through May. Summer fishing slows midday but can pick back up in the evening, while fall brings another solid feeding window before water temperatures drop.
Are these lakes walk-up accessible, or do I need a boat?
Access varies by location. Smaller impoundments like Memphis Union Mission Lake and Old Optimist Boys Camp Lake are typically bank-fishable, which makes them good options if you're without a boat. Larger or more spread-out waters like Robco Lake and Hopefield Chute fish better from a kayak or small motorized boat, since the productive structure tends to be away from the bank. Check current access conditions before you go, as some of these lakes are on managed or semi-private land.
What gear setup makes sense for a first trip to these lakes?
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations across these lakes, whether you're throwing soft plastics for bass, a jig-and-bobber for crappie, or a cut-bait rig for catfish. Bring a selection of 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jig heads with curly-tail grubs for crappie, and a few Texas-rigged soft plastics for bass around any visible structure. For catfish on Hopefield Chute or the larger lakes, a simple bottom rig with chicken liver or cut shad is hard to beat.
