Dale Hollow Lake, sits on the border of Northern Tennessee, a mere 60 miles from another popular houseboat destination, Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. Dale Hollow is nestled in the Highland Rim Mountains, and has over 600 miles of shoreline, 90% of which is dense forest.
Dale Hollow Lake is famous for its fishing as the current world record holder of Smallmouth Bass, and Tennessee state record for Lake Trout. Other records include the largest Lake Trout and Kentucky Muskie. The Obey River, just below the dam, holds the state record for the largest caught Rainbow and Brown Trout. However, Dale Hollow Lake boasts several other species: Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, and Catfish, among others (including Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Sunfish.) The best time of the year for a good catch is between September and May. **Please note: you may need a separate license for each state's (TN/KY) waters depending where you are on the lake.
The clear waters are also that of a scuba diver's dream. A popular scuba diving spot is the Old Willow Grove Schoolhouse (near Allons, TN) which used to be the schoolhouse of Willow Grove, a farm community that was sacrificed for the creation of the lake in 1942. Other popular diving spots include: Diver's Rock (near Sulphur Creek), the steep banks of Ashburn Creek, and the cliffs of Pleasant Grove. For safety, make sure to display a "diver down" flag when a diver is submerged.
At Dale Hollow State Park, there are a number of hiking trails to explore. While some skirt the shoreline, others climb up above. There's a short trail within the campground called Camper's Path; a short hike never disappoints. But the Eagle Point Trail is said to have the best view in the park, climbing to an overlook. Red Oak Ridge Trail begins near the Holly Creek Marina, which is one of the many trails that are popular with horseback riding, but hikers are free to enjoy as well. These trails in the Holly Creek area head down from the ridge to the lake's shoreline and have several loop options for adjusting the length of the hike.
There's a reason Dale Hollow Lake is one of the top houseboating destinations in the country. It's one of those things you have to experience to fully understand. With 7 different types of houseboat models and between 3 different marinas, there are several ways to enjoy this beautiful lake.