Lake McKellar, Tennessee: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Shelby County in Tennessee is where Lake McKellar sits. The surroundings are open plain. The water covers around 1,459 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. By surface area it heads our Shelby County listings. Head to New South Memphis, 3.9 miles away, for anything you forgot. The big place round here is New South Memphis, 3.7 miles distant. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake McKellar

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Shelby County include bluegill, green sunfish, common carp and warmouth. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Lake McKellar repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 81°F and January near 38°F on the long-run figures. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake McKellar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It is recorded as an oxbow, which means still water with a river's shape. There is a slipway at Ensley, roughly half a mile off. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Round Lake, 1.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Lake McKellar locally before you travel.