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Dale Hollow Lake is a public reservoir in Clay County, Pickett County and Overton County, Tennessee, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers (Nashville District). The shoreline and water are open to the public. Public access confirmed via marquee operator.
Dale Hollow is best known for smallmouth bass and one of the largest walleye populations in the South. It is one of very few southern lakes stocked with lake trout. Common carp are widespread and largely unpressured.
Dale Hollow Lake covers about 16,434 acres in the Cumberland Plateau region. Anglers here mostly fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, walleye; muskellunge, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill are also on record. Neighbouring public land — Dale Hollow Recreation Area, Dale Hollow Lake, Dale Hollow Lake Wildlife Management Area — opens up bank access away from the main entry points. The nearest other mapped waters on PiscaMaps are Obey River and Standing Stone Lake.
State record: Smallmouth Bass — 11 lb 15 oz, D. L. Hayes (1955-07-09). Tennessee state record and the long-standing IGFA all-tackle world record.
Species from TWRA and Tennessee fishery data.
Dale Hollow's clear, deep, lightly-fished water has made it the best-known carp destination in the southeastern US. USA Carp Guide runs guided sessions and houseboat trips here.
Typical stamp: Commons to 20 lb-plus, with bigger fish present.
Active carp organisations: American Carp Society, Carp Anglers Group.
Confidence: medium — enthusiast/guide sources
Night fishing: No statewide night-fishing closure in Tennessee; a few individual waters have local rules — check the current TWRA regulations for this water.
Boats: Boats allowed. On the large TVA/USACE reservoirs there is no horsepower limit; TWRA agency lakes are usually electric-motor or 10 hp only.
Bank & bivvy camping: Camping is at Corps, TVA, TWRA and state-park campgrounds. Dispersed bankside camping on public shoreline is generally not allowed — use a designated site.
Tackle: TWRA Dale Hollow exception limits anglers to four rods and reels. 16–21" smallmouth protected slot.
Rules verified 2026-09-01 against TWRA regulations. Always confirm the current rules before you fish.
Source: USGS PAD-US (Protected Areas Database).
Boat ramps: 17 mapped — Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Boat ramp, Dale Hollow Marina, Horse Creek Marina and others nearby.
Camping: 2 sites mapped nearby — Campsite, Campsite.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors.
USACE Nashville District — Dale Hollow Dam daily lake level.
Dale Hollow straddles the TN/KY line — a valid Tennessee OR Kentucky licence is honoured across the whole lake under a reciprocal agreement. Non-res: TN ~$50/yr, KY ~$65/yr.
Every water carries species, bank & boat access, current regulations and live water conditions — and members get Swim Mapper, Catch Logger and Trip Planner. It's the only US map with a dedicated carp-water layer.
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