HORNBEAK, Tenn. – Winding your way through the farms and villages of rural Obion County in the far northwest corner of Tennessee, it seems hard to guess that one of the crown jewels of the Volunteer State lies just around the next bend. But as you approach the village of Hornbeak (population 500ish) heading south on Highway 21, you notice an increasing number of billboards and roadside signs advertising lodges, resorts, guide services and the like.

You see small fishing boats. And eventually, you see the waters of Reelfoot Lake peeking through the oak, pine and cypress guarding its bank. If you’re a crappie or bluegeill fisherman, you’ve found the mother lode.

“The state of Tennessee is blessed with over 320 species of fish – yep, THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY!” says Bill Dance, whose name he proudly lends to Reelfoot Lake through the Bill Dance Signature Lakes program. “When people think about fishing in Tennessee, they probably think about bass fishing, or maybe catfish. But if you ever want to have the crappie or bluegill experience of a lifetime, you owe it to yourself to visit Reelfoot Lake.”

Welcome to Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee.

This latest episode in the Fishing Towns series presented by the Bill Dance Signature Lakes takes you to this 15,000-acre gem of a panfish fishery tucked up in the corner of the state, near the Mississippi River. Created just over 210 years ago by an earthquake (or an angry Native American deity, if you believe in local legends) you’ll see Reelfoot as both local anglers and Bill Dance himself see it: as a place they dearly love to fish.

Welcome to their Fishing Town.