How is the crappie fishing at Dale Hollow Lake?


Sharing is Caring


Dale Hollow Lake has plenty of crappie in it, however, they can be a challenge to catch in these clear waters. Except for the early spring when they move into the shallows to spawn, you are going to have to fish much deeper waters here to consistently catch them.

Where is the best fishing on Dale Hollow Lake?

Fishing techniques at Dale Hollow Lake. The areas to target for trophies are big, main-lake points and deep bluff banks. For numbers of nice smallmouths, the coves produce a lot of quality smallmouth in 10 to 20 feet of water. But for the even bigger smallmouth, you need to target 35-foot depths on the main lake.

What fish are biting at Dale Hollow Lake?

In addition to yielding record-breaking smallmouth bass, Dale Hollow has produce d many outstanding catches of other fish, including walleye, largemouth bass and trout. More trophy smallmouth have been taken from Dale Hollow Lake than any body of water in the world.

How do you catch smallmouth bass in Dale Hollow Lake?

YouTube video

Where can I find crappie on Dale Hollow Lake?

YouTube video

What is the biggest fish in Dale Hollow Lake?

In 1955, David Hayes caught the world record smallmouth at Dale Hollow Lake. At just over 11 pounds, this record stands today.

How do you catch walleye on Dale Hollow Lake?

Beginning in June through August, the best method of fishing for “quality” walleye is trolling with nightcrawler rigs in 15 to 30 feet of water in large creek channels or near flats at night. During the fall, fishermen will begin to “spoon” for walleye using jigs on river breaks in 30 feet of water.

How do you rig nightcrawlers for walleye?

YouTube video

Is Dale Hollow good for fishing?

Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for water purity as well as fishing. In addition to yielding the world record Smallmouth Bass, Dale Hollow has produced many outstanding catches of other fish. Fishing licenses are required in both Kentucky and Tennessee.

Can you fish Dale Hollow with KY license?

Fishing licenses are required in both Kentucky and Tennessee. A reciprocal fishing agreement provides for sport fishing licenses from either state to be valid in the Wolf River, including Illwill Creek, beginning at the state line as it crosses the Wolf River at its mouth where it joins the Obey River.

How do you catch smallmouth in March?

“A jerkbait is the best for finding active smallmouth bass in the spring,” VanDam advised. “Most of the water fished further north in smallie country is clearer, so you’ll often see the bass chasing your jerkbait, even if they don’t hit it. They are notorious for giving away their location.

What is the world record smallmouth bass?

McCormack’s Smallmouth Bass Fast forward a couple months on August 6, 2020, he set the new IGFA Men’s 4-kg (8 lb) Tippet Class World Record with a 2.58-kilogram (5-pound, 11-ounce) smallmouth. Just five days later he beat his own record with this incredible 3.66-kilogram (8-pound, 1-ounce) smallmouth bass.

What is the slot limit on Dale Hollow Lake?

Due to a slot limit that allows possession of just two smallmouth in total (one under 16 inches and one over 21 inches), even if anglers manage to turn this event into a smallmouth smashfest, it won’t show at the scales.

How much does it cost to fish at Marrowbone Lake?

Located just outside Joelton. Beautiful small lake stocked by TWRA $6.00 fee to fish per day in addition to a valid Tennessee fishing license.

How Deep Is Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee?

Dale hollow lake in the state of Tennessee is 43 sq miles and 130 feet deep at its’ deepest point. The lake is formed due to the damming of the Obey River.

Are there trout in Dale Hollow Lake?

The lake gets stocked with thousands of rainbow trout, which helps to support a solid trout fishery here. If you are looking to catch a trout, rainbow trout are here in much greater numbers.

Where are the fish biting in Tennessee?

  • Norris Lake. Bass interest most anglers on Norris with largemouth and smallmouth leading the way.
  • Chickamauga Lake. An impoundment of the Tennessee River created in 1940, Chickamauga Lake is situated in the southeastern foothills of Tennessee.
  • Watts Bar Lake.
  • Tims Ford Lake.

Where is the best walleye fishing in Tennessee?

Walleye are all about water temperature, and Watauga Lake offers perfect water temperature to create a good walleye fishery. In the Spring, (March-April) when the water temperature reaches between 43-50 degrees, the fish move up into the tributaries of the lake, including Watauga River and Elk River.

Is there good walleye fishing in Tennessee?

The best lakes for walleyes are Dale Hollow, Center Hill, Watauga and Norris. Secondary walleye holes are Tellico, Chilhowee, Tims Ford, South Holston and Woods. Let’s start with the upper Cumberland River at Cordell Hull Lake.

Does the Cumberland River have walleye?

Trophy brown trout swim in the Cumberland River, as do bountiful numbers of rainbow trout. The river is also home to walleye, sauger and oversized striped bass.

What is best bait for walleye?

Live bait can be highly successful for walleye, which usually involves still fishing, drifting, or trolling the bait. A bottom-bouncing rig or slip sinker is effective for drawing the walleye’s attention in clear water. The best choices of live bait include leeches, minnows, and nightcrawlers.

Do walleye bite on nightcrawlers?

Nightcrawlers work great for walleye. They are a much better bait in warmer water temperatures, however, some anglers do use crawlers in cold temperatures with some success. Typically though, when water temperatures warm above 60 degrees, nightcrawlers become one of the best baits to catch walleye.

Will walleye bite worms?

As I mentioned, worms work wonders on walleyes that are focused in on eating other forage. After all, rarely do fish feed on worms, anyway, because they don’t live in water. They are a natural forage for fish, however, as a heavy rain will wash worms into the drink.

Where is Dale Hollow Lake?

Dale Hollow Dam is located approximately three miles East of Celina, Tenn., on the Obey River, 7.3 miles above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380.9. Dale Hollow Lake covers portions of Clay, Pickett, Overton and Fentress Counties in Tennessee and Clinton and Cumberland Counties in Kentucky.

Does Ky honor TN fishing license?

Fishing Licenses Kentucky and Tennessee have a “Reciprocal Agreement” on Kentucky Lake. Anglers can fish, with either a Kentucky or Tennessee fishing license, from Eggner’s Ferry Bridge (U.S. Hwy 68/80 in Kentucky) south to the Gov.

Craving More Content?

Safe Harbor Fishing