Fishing Dale Hollow Lake

AKA: Dale Hollow Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Dale Hollow Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Dale Hollow Reservoir, TN

Popular Fish Species Dale Hollow Lake, TN

Dale Hollow Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Dale Hollow Lake sustains a robust smallmouth bass population. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Walleye Fishing

Walleye continue to thrive in Dale Hollow Lake again this year thanks to a plenty of forage in the lake. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rocky and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Crappie Fishing

Dale Hollow Lake is home to both black and white crappie. When fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. With a history of good crappie fishing, Dale Hollow Lake continues to deliver good quantities of nice, fat slabs. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Dale Hollow Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, muskie, paddlefish and sauger at Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee.

Renowned as the home of the world record smallmouth bass, Dale Hollow Reservoir is a 28,000-acre lake located in Kentucky and Tennessee, on the state borders, near Oakley, TN. In addition to excellent smallie fishing, the lake offers quality fishing opportunities for largemouth and spotted bass. Dale Hollow annually makes the Bassmaster Top 100 bass lakes in the USA. Crappie, catfish, trout, stripers, sunfish, walleye, muskie, paddlefish and others also reside in this impoundment. The nutrient rich water and plenty of forage unite to make this a fish factory - both for quantity and quality. Fishing from a boat is the desirable way to fish the lake. However, there are numerous places around the lake where bank fishing is accessible. And, with over 650 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of places to fish. Points, creek channels, ledges, humps and islands throughout the impoundment provide great habitat for fish - shallow in spring and fall, deeper in summer and winter. Places to portage a canoe or kayak are plentiful. There are numerous boat launch ramps around the lake for convenient launching.

Primary fish species residing in Dale Hollow Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Dale Hollow Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Dale Hollow Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 243-2211

East Port Marina and Resort
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
931 879-7511

Horse Creek Marina and Resort
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 243-2125

Sunset Marina & Resort
Rentals: Fishing boats, runabouts and pontoons
931 864-3146

Safe Harbor Holly Creek
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 243-2116

Willow Grove Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
931 823-6616

Marinas

Dale Hollow Marina
440 Dale Hollow Boat Dock Rd
Celina, TN 38551
931 243-2211

Horse Creek Marina and Resort
703 Horse Creek Rd
Celina, TN 38551
931 243-2125

Safe Harbor Eagle Cove
5899 Eagles Cove Rd
Byrdstown, TN 38549
931 864-3456

Safe Harbor Holly Creek
7855 Holly Creek Rd
Celina, TN 38551
931 243-2116

Willow Grove Marina
11045 Willow Grove Hwy
Allons, TN 38541
931 823-6616

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Obey River Recreation Area
This is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. It is located in the southeast corner of the lake, just south of the Livingston Highway bridge.