Humphreys County is nestled next to the Tennessee River on the border of Middle Tennessee. While there are numerous activities to engage in, like visiting Loretta Lynch’s Ranch or jumping out of a plan with Music City Skydiving, nothing gets you in touch with nature quite like a hunting or fishing expedition.
Exploring the Waterways of Humphreys County
If you feel most at home balanced in a small boat in the soft quiet of a Tennessee morning, or tucked into a kayak for some faster paced action, the rivers that run through Humphreys County can provide it all. For the fisherman, Humphreys County has quite a few time-honored fishing spots that are sure to provide a good catch.
A good spot to start for the beginner, or if you’ve got the kids with you, would be Bone’s Canoe and Campground on the Buffalo River. Their first-come, first-served camping spots are all primitive and vary in size to accommodate a variety of group sizes. They even have areas for campers if you can’t bring yourself to sleep on the ground. Sometimes it’s not feasible to have a canoe or kayak for each member of your family, and that’s okay. You can rent one of theirs along with a life jacket and a ride to the drop-off spots for either a five-mile or ten-mile float down the Buffalo River. Their website even has pre-trip pointers, a map with hints about rough spots, and suggested spots to stop for lunch along the way.
When planning for a kayaking or bank fishing experience, you should definitely include Whiteoak Creek on your itinerary. Whiteoak Creek is a part of the Tennessee River tributary, and as such you can expect to find smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown trout, muskellunge, and striped bass. This long-eared sunfish was also caught on Whiteoak Creek. The Tennessee River tributary sustains a wealth of fish in various stages of their life, with strong currents and slow, shallow grass and gravel beds. Even if you aren’t a skilled fisherman and are just heading out for a day of parent/child bonding, you’re sure to catch something here!
According to HookandBullet, noon is the peak time to be fishing in Whiteoak Creek, but any time in the morning from 8:00 am until noon should have you seeing some great fish. You’re more than welcome to bring your own bait, but if you forget or just want to replenish your tackle box before you head out, you can visit any of the various area tackle shops.
If you have a boat, you may want to check out Kentucky Lake. Kentucky Lake is home to some incredible, world-class fishing. Can you imagine catching an 88-pound catfish? That river monster was caught in Humphreys County in 2019. The lake is full of huge bass and catfish, and with all that large fish DNA swimming around in the lake, the sport fishing future looks amazing for Kentucky Lake. Lake levels are stable throughout the year, staying around 354 to 359 feet above sea level. The lake is only 35 feet deep at its deepest point, leading to better habitats for those gargantuan fish.
No matter what your mode of aquatic transportation may be, everyone in your family will find something they enjoy on the waters of Humphreys County
Hunting the Perfect Hunting Grounds in Humphreys County
Maybe you’re more of a hunter. If that’s true, Humphreys County has some amazing open hunting spots. There are the typical large game-hunting opportunities that Middle Tennessee offers, but because of the lake access, the opportunity to hunt waterfowl is there as well. Humphreys County even offers special hunts for children and women hunters, especially for the inexperienced.
Youth who have never harvested a deer before and are hunter-safety certified can participate in an annual special draw hunt on October 31. Thirty young hunters (ages 10-16) are selected to hunt the Buffalo Ridge Refuge’s 2,000 acres of prime hunting land during the Free Youth Deer Hunt. There’s a socially distanced cookout the Friday night before, and there are camping sites available for those who would like to camp. Breakfast is provided as well as tree stands, and three of those stands are handicap accessible.
For the women (18+) who have completed a hunter education course, there is an annual Beyond Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) Muzzleloading Workshop in November. For $250, you can camp, learn, eat, and hunt in the 2,000 acres of the Buffalo Ridge Refuge. Meals and camping are included, while you participate in muzzleloader hunts and learn about wildlife management, deer biology, and hunting ethics. Like the youth hunt, there are tree stands available for use (handicap availability as well). This would make an awesome girls-only getaway for the gun-loving ladies in your life.
Once you’ve been to Humphreys County for a family camping trip, or with a group of friends for a hunting getaway, you may decide to purchase your own spot of hunting heaven here. There are plenty of brag-worthy acreage options available that would make for a great spot to get away from the city when you need to slow things down. You could build a cozy cabin or a tiny house to keep the focus on the nature around you and give your kids a connection to nature away from the internet and video games.
Whether you feel at home cruising the lake or up in a tree stand overlooking a prime hunting spot, Humphreys County has something for every outdoor enthusiast. Be sure to check out the unique opportunities offered here for everyone.
ITINERARY POINTS OF INTEREST
Bone’s Campground is the perfect spot to set up camp and spend the whole weekend with the family. Plan ahead and you could have your canoe or kayak reserved and waiting for you every morning so you can all stay out on the water from sun-up to sundown.
It’s not well known or well-marked, but Whiteoak Creek in the northernmost part of Humphreys County is a local secret.
Kentucky Lake was created when the Kentucky Dam was finished in 1944 and the old town of Johnsonville was flooded and is filled with catfish, crappie, and more, making it a perfect place to spend the day fishing.
A haven for those that love to spend their lives in the great outdoors with events like Youth Deer Hunts and women’s muzzleloading workshops each year.