Herb Parsons Lake is a reservoir[1][2] lake located in Fayette County, Tennessee[3] near the town of Collierville[4] in neighboring Shelby County. It is owned and operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency,[5] and is named after Herb Parsons, a famed exhibition shooter from the county.[6][7] The lake is known primarily for its fishing, hiking and bicycle trails, and wildlife. Its facilities include a boat launching ramp, fish attractors, handicapped accessible fishing pier, bait and tackle, rental boats, and concessions.[2][3]
Herb Parsons Lake | |
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Herb Parsons Lake Herb Parsons Lake | |
Location | Fayette County, Tennessee, United States |
Coordinates | 35.1336°N 89.6211°W / 35.1336; -89.6211 |
Type | Reservoir |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 4,950 feet (1,510 m) |
Max. width | 2,400 feet (730 m) |
Surface area | 177 acres (72 ha) |
Surface elevation | 384 ft (117 m) |
Herb Parsons Lake, originally known as Fisherville Lake after nearby Fisherville, was opened to the public on July 1, 1954. It was built as a reservoir by the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in the early 1950s.[8] After Herb Parsons, a renowned local exhibition shooter, died in 1959, the Commission moved to rename the lake in his honor.[7] The change was made official on July 26, 1964.[6][8]
The array of fish of Herb Parsons Lake includes largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and redear sunfish, as well as blue, channel and bullhead catfish.[3][4] The most commonly caught of these are the largemouth bass, blue catfish, and channel catfish,[9] although most of the fishing pressure is directed toward largemouth bass alone.[2] A cove on the southern side of the lake is home to beaver dams.[10]
Multiple, sometimes overlapping trails encircle Herb Parsons Lake.[2] A bike trail of hard-packed silt and clay stretches through the woods for 9.7 miles.[11] A shorter walking trail of seven miles features signs that denote the species of trees around the lake.[12]