Species - Dale Hollow Lake

SPECIES

FISH FOR THEM ALL

It’s Not Just About

Smallmouth here!

At Dale Hollow Lake, it’s not just about smallmouth when it comes to fishing.

Besides the fish the lake is world renowned for, populations of largemouth, spotted bass, walleye, crappie, catfish, bluegill, shell crackers, trout, musky, and more roam the waters of the highland reservoir.

Most notably, walleye and crappie fishing has exploded recently, with anglers flocking to Dale Hollow to fill their freezers with the region’s best homegrown table fare.

All of these species can be caught just about any time of the year during all SEASONS, so don’t just target one—check out your options below and take to the lake for them all!

Musky

WalleyeTrolling

CrappieNight

Carp

Explore the wide array of species Dale Hollow Lake has to offer, along with their creel limits!

SMALLMOUTH

CREEL LIMIT: 1 over 21″ long and 1 under 16″ long per person per day.

WALLEYE

CREEL LIMIT: 5 at 16″ minimum length per person per day.

BLACK CRAPPIE

CREEL LIMIT: 15 at 10″ min. per person per day, not to exceed 15 total crappie.

BLUEGILL

CREEL LIMIT: No limit of any kind.

RAINBOW

CREEL LIMIT: 7 any size per person per day, not to exceed 7 total trout.

MUSKY

CREEL LIMIT: 1 at 50″ minimum length per person per day.

STRIPE

CREEL LIMIT: 2 at 15″ minimum length per person per day.

LARGEMOUTH

CREEL LIMIT: 5 at 15″ min. length per person per day, not to exceed 5 total bass.

CHANNEL CAT

CREEL LIMIT: No size or creel limit, except only one over 34″ long per person per day.

WHITE CRAPPIE

CREEL LIMIT: 15 at 10″ min. per person per day, not to exceed 15 total crappie.

ROCK BASS

CREEL LIMIT: 20 any size per person per day.

BROWN

CREEL LIMIT: 7 any size per person per day, not to exceed 7 total trout.

CARP

CREEL LIMIT: No limit of any kind.

DRUM

CREEL LIMIT: No limit of any kind.

KENTUCKY/SPOT

CREEL LIMIT: 5 any size per person per day, not to exceed 5 total bass.

FLATHEAD CAT

CREEL LIMIT: No size or creel limit, except only one over 34″ long per person per day.

SHELLCRACKER

CREEL LIMIT: 20 any size per person per day.

WHITE BASS

CREEL LIMIT: 15 any size per person per day.

PHOTO CREDIT:

Illustrations ©Joseph R. Tomelleri. Follow the link above for statewide fish species.

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COMPLETE ANGLER'S GUIDE TO TENNESSEE FISH SPECIES:

CLICK THE LINK ABOVE to view all species of fish swimming in Tennessee waters.

Discover FISHING on Dale Hollow Lake

SEASONS

SPECIES

REGULATIONS

TACKLE

CHARTERS

MAPS

SCENES OF GRANDEUR

Magnificent views are all around at Dale Hollow Lake and they can be enjoyed from any perspective. Sunset shots, vistas of unmolested shorelines, and much more await.

HANG YOUR HAT

At Dale Hollow Lake there’s no shortage of places to hang your hat–including cabins, motels, houseboats, campgrounds, RV parks, primitive camping, and more.

CHART A COURSE

If you are planning a trip to Dale Hollow Lake there are a few things you may want to consider before you go, like access, marinas, climate, ideas, events, and much more.

GET IN THE KNOW

Learn everything you need to know about Dale Hollow Lake including how it started, the history behind it, statistics, the region’s climate, and much more.

BOATER'S PARADISE

With clean water free of hazards, no private homes or docks dotting the shoreline, and numerous coves for privacy, Dale Hollow lake is your own personal boater’s paradise.

SMALLMOUTH CAPITAL

Due to the lake boasting six out of the Top 10 smallmouth bass ever caught—including the World Record, Dale Hollow has long been known as the Smallmouth Capital of the World.

GAME GALORE

Dale Hollow offers over 24,000 acres of public hunting land full of whitetail deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and small game–all ready and waiting for the taking.

PLAY YOUR WAY

With ample swimming access, water to explore from above or below, trails for riding and hiking, and much more, Dale Hollow Lake has it all!

Be sure to explore all Dale Hollow Lake has to offer before you go with the links below!

BOAT

FISH

HUNT

PLAY

ENJOY

STAY

LEARN

PLAN