National Wildlife Refuge · Tennessee · FWS Region 4

Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Lake County, Tennessee, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 1,813 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,791 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
1.8Khuntable acres
1.8KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Lake Isom NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Lake Isom NWR

Hunters can pursue big game and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

The oldest national wildlife refuge in Tennessee, Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge is conserved as a sanctuary for waterfowl.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Tennessee regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,791 (99%)Closed: 22 (1%)1.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,791 ac 99%
  • Closed22 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
Lake Isom
1,791 ac
Closed Area
22 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Lake Isom Special regs 1,791 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure.
Closed Area Closed 22 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters must have signed brochure.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters must have signed brochure.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Tennessee hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Lake Isom NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Available species include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. There is a boat ramp at the south end of the refuge that provides access to Lake Isom. The refuge is open for fishing March 16-November 14 during daylight hours only.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Lake Isom NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
36.30505, -89.41752
DMS
36°18′18.2″N 89°25′03.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Dyersburg, TN19 mi N of town
  • Jackson, TN59 mi NW of town
  • Paris, TN61 mi W of town
  • Poplar Bluff, MO62 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • MEM Memphis Intl93 mi
  • BNA Nashville Intl153 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Lake Isom NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:27 PM12h 59m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM7:07 PM12h 28m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM6:42 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:23 PM11h 20m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM5:02 PM10h 43m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:50 PM10h 16m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM4:43 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM4:43 PM9h 42m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM4:52 PM9h 44m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:04 PM9h 56m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:29 AM6:59 AM5:22 PM10h 23m

Computed for 36.305, -89.418 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Lake Isom NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lake Isom NWR?

Yes. Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (1,791 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Lake Isom NWR?

Yes — Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, mail, online through fws, other, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Lake Isom NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Lake Isom NWR located?

Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge is in Lake County, Tennessee, about 19 miles N of Dyersburg, TN (straight-line). GPS: 36.30505, -89.41752.

What are legal shooting hours at Lake Isom NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Reelfoot NWR

Obion County, TN · 9.9 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Chickasaw NWR

Lauderdale County, TN · 35 mi SW

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

26.7K huntable acres

Big Lake NWR

Mississippi County, AR · 48 mi SW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Lower Hatchie NWR

Lauderdale County, TN · 54 mi SW

6 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.5K huntable acres

Cypress Creek NWR

Alexander County, IL · 56 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Hatchie NWR

Haywood County, TN · 57 mi S

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.2K huntable acres

All refuges in Tennessee →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.