Lake elevation remains around 648’. Dale Hollow Dam generates on average 2,000 cfs per day. The water temperature averages 80 degrees reservoir wide, with cooler temps being found in the headwaters of the Obey River. Water clarity averages 7’ unless affected by wake or flooding. The moon is waning this week and will be at half power for this weekend’s night bite. Be cautious of other boaters and be safe on the water.
Bass: Fishing is slow. There’s a decent topwater bite for smallmouth from sunrise to 9am. Anglers can catch a half-a-dozen fish on spooks in deep water over bait balls. Once the sun comes up, anglers will need to target bass in 25-40 FOW around grass and drop-offs. Finesse presentations like Ned rigs, drop-shot or hair jigs work best.
Crappie: Fishing is slow. Anglers can catch crappie, utilizing front-facing sonar, over grass or brush in 20-30 FOW. Trolling small crankbaits over grass and flats at the same depth is producing bigger fish. The night light bite is slowing, but you can still catch a few crappie with it according to reports.
Walleye: Fishing is great. The day-time trolling bite is still hot. Anglers are catching quality fish trolling crankbaits and night-crawler harnesses over flats near a drop-off in 25-40 FOW.
Trout: Fishing is good. The trout bite is producing mostly this year’s stocked 12-17’’ rainbow trout around the lower end of the reservoir. Troll crankbaits and spoons from 25-40’ around river and creek channels from Holly Creek to the dam.
Redear Sunfish: Fishing is slow. Some big shellcrackers have been showing up in 10-20’ while anglers are targeting other species. They’re being caught while trolling nightcrawler harnesses or night fishing around lights. To target them, try fishing the bottom with worms around grass or gravel flats in 20 FOW.
— Will Schibig, TWRA Region III creel clerk
