Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Lake

Description

Situated on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, this 27,700 acre reservoir is home to the current world record smallmouth bass at 11lb 15oz caught by D.L. Hayes in 1955. The creation of the reservoir resulted in the submerging of a town named Willow Grove in 1942. The lake is optimized for crappie, quality smallmouth, and walleye and the surrounding Cumberland and Obey rivers are home to muskellunge, catfish, gar, and trout.

Optimized Fish:
Crappie
Crappie
Walleye
Walleye
Enhancements
  • Continued management for quality smallmouth bass, walleye, and crappie fishing  

  • Annual habitat improvements.  

Location
  • Pickett
  • Overton
  • Clay
  • Fentress
Dale Hollow
History
  • Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Harbor Act of 1946. The project was completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1943. Hydroelectric power-generating units were added in 1948, 1949 and 1953. The project was designed by the Corps of Engineers and built under their supervision by private contractors. The hydroelectric generators of Dale Hollow Dam are used to supply power to the surrounding countryside. The dam, power plant and reservoir are currently operated by the Nashville District of the Corps. 

  • The creation of the reservoir resulted in the submerging of a town named Willow Grove. In 1942, the town was purchased by the government in order to create the reservoir. The residents were forced to relocate. Former residents of the town meet annually on Labor Day weekend.  

Rules & Regulations

For rules and regulations, please visit TWRA.com