Gear & Tackle

Home / Tennessee / Dale Hollow Lake

Lakes & Reservoirs

Dale Hollow Lake Fishing Guide

Tennessee

A clear, rocky lake that produced the world record smallmouth bass.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Dale Hollow Lake for smallmouth bass and walleye. The best months overall are Apr to Nov. In October, smallmouth bass and walleye are in season, and Ned Rig, Suspending Jerkbait and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. There are 10 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 9 bait and tackle); the closest is Dale Hollow Bait Barn in Burkesville, 6 mi away. Cumberland River Tailwater is 22 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Nov

In October

Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

What You'll Catch

Dale Hollow Lake Species

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Walleye

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

6 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · After dark.

    Shop This Lure

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Dale Hollow Lake

Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

Check Price

Rigs

Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness

Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.

Check Price

Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

Check Price

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

Check Price

Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

Check Price

Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

Check Price

Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

Check Price

Line

Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon

Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Dale Hollow Lake

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Kentucky · 22 mi

Cumberland River Tailwater

A big tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam with trophy brown trout.

Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Kentucky · 34 mi

Lake Cumberland

A deep, clear reservoir known for striped bass and big smallmouth.

Striped Bass · Smallmouth Bass · Walleye

Rivers & Streams · Tennessee · 75 mi

Clinch River

A tailwater below Norris Dam known for big trout and midge fishing.

Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout