WELCOME to DALE HOLLOW LAKE

No matter what you are fishing for, Dale Hollow will show you a good time!

2010 Tennessee Fishing Guide (interactive, takes a while to load)

Fishing Report for Dale Hollow Lake + Dam Release Schedule

THINGS TO DO: TOUR THE  FISH HATCHERY

Dale Hollow Lake is known for its ability to produce trophy smallmouth bass. It is the lake that is linked with the name Billy Westmorland, 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.

Earl Davis caught this MONSTER WALLEYE on the Cumberland River near the Obey confluence.	Jeff Longsworth caught the HUGE Drum on Dale Hollow on Memorial Day Weekend. HUNTER'S LODGE.	8lb 10oz SMALLMOUTH BASS caught on the Lake in March by a South Holston fisherman.

Jeremy Colvin shows how its done on Smallmouth Bass.

DALE HOLLOW LAKE FISHING REGULATIONS!!! CHECK THE BOOK!

• 3 pole limit in boat, 6 pole limit on land (see special Obey river rules)
• Largemouth-Spotted-Smallmouth Bass NEW LIMIT 5 per day in combo, only TWO may be smallmouth!
• Largemouth Bass- 15" min length
• Spotted- no length limit
• Smallmouth- 2 per day, 16-21" slot. ONE fish may be under 16" and ONE over 21". This includes Wolf River to So. Ford Rd bridge
• Crappie- 15 per day any combo, 10" minimum length
• Catfish- no limit under 34", only ONE over 34" per day
• White Bass- 15 per day, no length limit
• Yellow Bass- no limits
• Walleye- 5 per day, 16" minimum length
• Rock Bass- 20 per day, no length limit
• Redear Sunfish- 20 per day, no length limit
• Muskie- 1 per day, 36" minimum length
• Bluegill-Warmouth-sunfishes- no limits
• Trout- Apr 1-Oct 31-7 per day (no more than 2 lake trout), no length limit;
• Trout- Nov 1-Mar 31- 2 per day, 22" minimum length
• Trout Special Rules: On east fork of Obey between Compton Boat Ramp to Hwy 52 Bridge, ONE HOOK SINGLE POINT, or ONE LURE w\ SINGLE HOOK SINGLE POINT. no more than 3 poles per angler.

• Dale Hollow is the current world record holder for smallmouth bass
• Dale Hollow is the Tennessee state record for lake trout (12 pounds, 13 ounces)
• Dale Hollow is the Tennessee State record for Kentucky muskie at 43 pounds
• Obey River (right below the dam) is the Tennessee state record rainbow trout (14 pounds, 8 ounces) and brown trout (26 pounds, 2 ounces)
   

Featured Fish Species

largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, black crappie Other Species walleye, rainbow trout, lake trout, muskie, flathead catfish, channel catfish, white bass, rock bass, white crappie, bluegill, red-ear sunfish

Forage

Gizzard shad are present, but too large for species. Threadfin shad are great prey but die-off during harsh winters. Alewives were introduced for most gamefish populations with outstanding results. Large crayfish populations and many minnow species are important.

Stocking

Walleye, black-nose crappie and trout species have been stocked in recent years by the Corps of Engineers.

Treatment

A number of tire fish attractors have been added throughout the lake. In recent years, ongoing cedar tree fish attractor have been installed. Most of the locations are marked with stationary buoys. Additionally, the Corps of Engineers has installed spawning structures (called spawning benches) for smallmouth bass.