Dale Hollow Lake

Come float the pristine waters and relax, surrounded by the sounds of nature. There are no McMansions staring you in the face as you cruise the peaceful lake. It feels like you are back in time, back to a virgin forest with an unspoiled lake teeming with fish.

Dale Hollow is the current world record holder for smallmouth bass. Other achievements include a Tennessee state record for lake trout (12 pounds, 13 ounces). The Obey River below Dale Hollow Dam produced a state record rainbow trout (14 pounds, 8 ounces) and brown trout (26 pounds, 2 ounces). Finally, the lake also holds the Kentucky muskie title at 43 pounds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the clear, cold water from Dale Hollow to operate a fish hatchery. This large facility has recently been renovated and enlarged to increase trout production. Dale Hollow Dam and Lake  are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project was completed in 1943 for the purposes of flood control, hydroelectric power production and to improve water quality for domestic and industrial use. A number of day-use facilities and campgrounds are located around the lake. A camping permit is required for all designated primitive campsites. If restrooms are not available at primitive campsites, campers are required to have portable sanitation facilities. A number of informational signs and buoys are found throughout the lake marking hazards, creek arms and fish attractors.

*At the present time, there is no reciprocal fishing agreement between Kentucky and Tennessee; a separate license is required for each state's waters.

Dale Hollow Lake is known for its ability to produce trophy smallmouth bass. It is the lake that is linked with the name Billy Westmoreland, famed smallmouth angler of Celina, Tennessee. Smallmouth bass in the 14-to 18-inch range are very common, with good numbers of fish in the 4-to 6-pound size available. Trophy fish of even larger sizes are possible, even probable.

Largemouth bass are common throughout the lake and remain popular with many anglers especially after the additional of alewife to the lake. Trophy fish in the 6-to 9-pound range are available, but most fish average 14-to 18-inches.

Walleye populations are augmented with stocking. Walleye in the 2-to 6-pound class are present in good numbers and a trophy over 10 pounds is a good possibility.

During the late 1950's, muskie were stocked to provide a trophy fishery. The stocking program was discontinued when natural reproduction was observed. Fish from 15 to 25 pounds are present and trophies up to 43 pounds have been taken.

The year-round cool water temperatures and adequate oxygen levels throughout the water column provide an excellent environment for lake and rainbow trout. A stocking program has established a two-story fishery. There are good numbers of rainbow trout in the 4-to 5-pound range and lakers from 8-to 12-pounds.

Because of limited shallow weed growth and submerged cover, crappie can be difficult to locate. White crappie are found primarily in the Wolf River Arm, while black crappie can be throughout the lake. Most crappie are in the 7-to 9-inch range. In recent years, black crappie and the black nose strain have dominated the crappie fishery.

Channel and flathead catfish display moderate populations and above-average growth rates.

The Obey River below Dale Hollow Dam provides a year-around, cold-water environment for rainbow and brown trout. A Tennessee state record 14-pound, 8-ounce rainbow and a 26-pound, 2-ounce brown were taken from the tailwater area. Brown trout in the 6-pound range and rainbows in the 5-pound class are common.

Historical Weather Conditions for Dale Hollow Lake

Driving Directions to Dale Hollow Lake

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BACKGROUND MUSIC: "Lay Down Your Weary Load", KICKIN GRASS bluegrass band