Dale Hollow Lake is a picturesque lake located north of interstate 40 on the Kentucky / Tennessee border. The Dale Hollow dam is near the town of Celina Tennessee and the lake is in part of three counties in Tennessee, Clay , Overton, and Pickett and two counties in Kentucky, Clinton and Cumberland. The largest part of the 52,542 acres ( 27,700 water & 24842 land) is located in Clay County Tennessee.
The Dale Hollow Lake area offers the opportunity for many other activities other than fishing. There are several other water sports including swimming, water skiing, boating, and deep water skin diving just to mention a few. You will also find camping, recreational trails, or you can just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are several Boat Docks, Marinas and Resorts in the area as well as some very good dining establishments.
In addition to its rare beauty, ULTRA-clear water and unspoiled shoreline, Dale Hollow Lake is one of the nation's premier bass fisheries. Come float the pristine waters and relax, surrounded by the sounds of nature. There are no McMansions staring you in the face as you cruise the peaceful lake. It feels like you are back in time, back to a virgin forest with an unspoiled lake teeming with fish.
Dale Hollow is the current world record holder for smallmouth bass. Other achievements include a Tennessee state record for lake trout (12 pounds, 13 ounces). The Obey River below Dale Hollow Dam produced a state record rainbow trout (14 pounds, 8 ounces) and brown trout (26 pounds, 2 ounces). Finally, the lake also holds the Kentucky muskie title at 43 pounds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the clear, cold water from Dale Hollow to operate a fish hatchery. This large facility has recently been renovated and enlarged to increase trout production. Dale Hollow Dam and Lake are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project was completed in 1943 for the purposes of flood control, hydroelectric power production and to improve water quality for domestic and industrial use. A number of day-use facilities and campgrounds are located around the lake. A camping permit is required for all designated primitive campsites. If restrooms are not available at primitive campsites, campers are required to have portable sanitation facilities. A number of informational signs and buoys are found throughout the lake marking hazards, creek arms and fish attractors.