THE DALE HOLLOW FISHING AND TOURISM REPORT
Provided by Captain Jim Durham – Owner StriperFun Inc (DBA Tennessee Walleye Charters). We have 13 guides on 12 waterways -Superbaittanks.com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics & Captain Jim Lures with much more..
DATE OF REPORT: June 24th, 2025
- Latest water temperature: 87.6 ° F surface (Willow Grove Dock): June 24th, 2025
- The lake currently has an elevation of 650.74 above sea level and rising
Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!
ABOUT TENNESSEE WALLEYE, MUSKIE AND CRAPPIE CHARTERS
Tennessee Walleye Charters offers fishing for Walleye, Musky and Crappie on Dale Hollow Lake! Dale Hollow Lake is located on the Kentucky / Tennessee border. Dale Hollow is a deep cold-water lake. A little-known secret is that Dale Hollow Lake also has a huge population of Walleye and Crappie as well as huge Muskie!
WE SUPPORT THE VETERANS!
As a former United States Air Force Airman – military veteran and as a current U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Coxswain (Captain), volunteer with local Volunteer Fire Departments, I understand the great importance that our brave service men, women and first responders play in our society.
We also cannot forget the duty and service provided by our Policemen and Fish and Wildlife Officers.
STRIPERFUN GUIDE SERVICE OFFERS A 10% DISCOUNT on all charters to currently active Policemen, Fish and Wildlife Officers and Firemen as well as to all active military AND retired military veterans (with proper verification ID provided by the person booking the trip).
This is our way of saying “THANKS” to these important men and women for your service.
A FEW FISHING CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Said Daryl Bolton a long time Tennessee Walleye Charters customer:
“I have had the pleasure of fishing with Tennessee Walleye Charters over the years on many occasions and have always found the guide service to be ultra professional and courteous as well as super accommodating to my group. Their knowledge of fishing a “tough to learn lake” like Dale Hollow, as well how they locate and catch big Walleye both day and night is simply unsurpassed. I tried other Walleye guides on Dale Hollow that are limited to only trolling during the day and made big claims of success. I ended up very disappointed. Once I fished with Tennessee Walleye Charters, it was evident I had found the right people to take me and my friends fishing on Dale Hollow. We come many times a year and will continue to do so!”
Said Bill Burke another frequent client of Tennessee Walleye Charters:
“I love fishing Dale Hollow with Captain Jim’s guides! Who needs a fish finder when you have guides like this to put you on the big Walleyes!”
Your cleaning of the fish is included (tips appreciated). These Dale Hollow fishing trips are fantastic!
Our Walleye and Crappie guide Jeff Brown has 30-years experience on the Walleye and Crappie and as the owner I do the Muskie charters.
MUSKIE FISHING
The Muskie fishing is offered October thru May. Winter and early Spring is a great time to catch a huge Musky!
Tennessee’ Walleye Charters offers Musky charters on Dale Hollow. Musky are a very elusive fish, known as the fish of 10,000 casts. Although they are not caught as often as Walleye on Dale Hollow, they are an extremely cherished and revered trophy fish! Dale Hollow holds the record for the most Muskie caught over 50 inches, held by my dear friend EC Reagan who has passed away. I am blessed that he shared with me his techniques, lures and honey holes. Since the Muskie in Dale Hollow must be 50 inches long to keep one, this keeps the population of huge fish healthy and protected
I have attached a link to a recent Musky trip video that will give you an idea of how we fish these beautiful fish. https://youtu.be/iIUURL03Rz4
See below some of the big Musky our clients have caught in Dale Hollow:
Click this link to learn more: https://striperfun.com/tennessee-walleye-charters/
WALLEYE FISHING
We are the only Dale Hollow Lake charter company that specializes at night Walleye fishing.
The Walleye fishing begins in April through the spring and summer until the end of October. We mostly troll or fish under the lights at night but also provide bottom bouncing worm trips during the days beginning in June until the end of the season.
We also, June thru September, troll homemade crank baits around the full moon (3 days before the full moon – the full moon night and 3 days after the full moon). THESE FULL MOON TROLLING TRIPS ARE ULTRA POPULAR AND BOOK UP SOMETIMES UP TO A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
We also “smoke them” doing spoon jigging trips and night crawler worm harness day trips June thru September!
Click this link to learn more: https://striperfun.com/tennessee-walleye-charters/
THE CRAPPIE RUN IS JUNE AND JULY
Enjoy a photo of the massive Crappie we have caught! Click this link to learn more: https://striperfun.com/tennessee-walleye-charters/
WILLOW GROVE RESORT
Willow Grove Resort Marina is the “crown jewel” of Dale Hollow! It is a family enterprise run by owner Mickey Ledbetter. You can always count on Mickey (and wife Lori and kids Blake and Shaela) as well as his crew for the very best top-notch boat service, slip rental service, lodging and the food is fantastic! Their ship store is “huge” with great pricing on everything. On weekends during the summer they have live music and it is simply terrific! And their annual fireworks display is the largest and best on Dale Hollow!
As a professional fishing guide who has boated and fished on Dale Hollow Lake for over 50 years, I only use Willow Grove for all my boat repairs.
AVAILABLE LODGING!
Imagine waking up overlooking one of the largest and most scenic lakes in the Eastern United States. Dale hollow is truly paradise! It has over 620 miles of shoreline (average depth 80 feet) with over 27,000 plus acres of crystal-clear water Whether you are coming fishing with us, or just looking to get away near the water for a day or a week, we have wonderful lodging options for you. Nestled just 5 minutes from Dale Hollow Lake this charming – centrally located getaway offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Our lodging has 2 bunk beds in one bedroom and a queen bed in the second bedroom, two full bath rooms, a wonderful kitchen, outdoor grill, living area, laundry room, AC, Wi-Fi, cable TV and all the amenities of home! Enjoy our large wrap-around deck, ideal for morning coffees or relaxing evenings around the outdoor fire pit for cozy nights.
We have plenty of parking for boats as well!
Rates:
$200.00 per night – $250.00 per night on holidays with a $75.00 cleaning fee (at the end of the stay regardless of the number of nights).
Payment is required in advance and is non-refundable.
Check in at 3:00 PM – Departures at 11:00 am
Please enjoy the photos above then click this link to read to learn more https://striperfun.com/lodging/
Then call us at 931-403-2501 or email us at jerridurham@striperfun.com for details and to book your stay and we will handle the entire booking process!
GIVE THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, A FISHING TRIP WITH TENNESSEE WALLEYE CHARTERS!
The gift of a weekend package deal (or even a one-day fishing trip) with Tennessee Walleye Charters makes a great Christmas or birthday present for Dad, a brother or for the family and kids, or can make a great bonus for an employee or a promotion for a customer! Our trips are very popular and our booking dates fill up fast!
Fishing is family friendly and wholesome. So, if you are interested in giving the perfect gift to that special someone, order a fishing gift certificate today!
Call me at 931-403-2501 or email me at: captainjim@striperfun.com
Do not be afraid however to call last minute if you want a trip as we have numerous guides and can accommodate your schedule!
If you have any other ideas, techniques or subjects you want me to write about, drop me a line!
I am many times asked “What are the advantages to hiring a guide”? In essence, you hire a guide to utilize the guide’s many years of experience and lake knowledge, to learn new tactics and techniques to increase your chance of “landing the big one”. Guides use top of the line equipment and the freshest live bait. Also, if you cannot afford your own boat, it is a very cost-effective way for you or your group to fish (cost per fisherman). Even professional fishermen hire guides to learn a lake and new techniques!
StriperFun Inc. recommends our fishing customers to non – employee, self-employed independent fishing guides on numerous waterways who are fully licensed, insured and who are mature, level-headed, and skilled in fishing for the species in the waterways where we fish. We are very particular who represents our fishing customers, we put your enjoyment and safety above all else and work hard to give you a fun fishing experience to remember. Thank you for trusting your trip to StriperFun Inc!
Summer is here. Dawn rolls around a little earlier each morning and “Twilight” now rolls around just a little later each night.
It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! Count your blessings each day and live “in the moment”, not in the future and always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water.
Remember also to always obey all TN fishing regulations while on Dale Hollow or any Tennessee waterway. Following the rules is a must! It is important that we all be good stewards of our fishing resources.
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Until next time, blue skies and tight line
Specializing in “Trophy” Striper Fishing, Captain Jim Durham is a Tennessee State licensed guide who has fished Dale Hollow, Lake Cumberland and the Cumberland River year-round for most of his adult life. As a former B.A.S.S. tournament circuit fisherman, Captain Jim is also a Search and Rescue Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as well as a Coast Guard Merchant Marine Captain and serves three local Fire Departments.