Dale Hollow Lake, straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, stands as the undisputed Smallmouth Bass Capital of the World. This 28,000-acre trophy fishery holds the world record smallmouth bass and boasts six of the top 10 smallmouth ever caught, making it a pilgrimage site for anglers pursuing legendary bronze-backs. Beyond its iconic smallmouth, the lake teems with diverse species including largemouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, crappie, trophy muskie, catfish, bluegill, and seasonal trout.
With over 650 miles of shoreline and crystal-clear waters, Dale Hollow offers year-round angling opportunities across varied habitats – from rocky bluffs to submerged timber and aquatic vegetation. Winter fishing remains exceptionally productive, regularly yielding five-pound smallmouth. Spring and fall bring explosive action in shallows, while summer and winter transition fish to deeper structures. The lake’s protected slot limits (16-21 inches for smallmouth) ensure sustainable trophy fisheries.
Accessible via six major boat ramps, Dale Hollow provides prime fishing for all techniques – from flipping laydowns for largemouth to vertical jigging walleye or targeting record-class muskies. Whether pursuing world-famous smallmouth, battling hard-pulling striped bass, or filling coolers with slab crappie, this legendary reservoir delivers unforgettable angling adventures across every season.