First time to Dale Hollow Lake in TN

[MC_What have I done?!]

Family and I are going to camp and boat the entire week of the 4th of July at Dale Hollow Lake. It will be our first boating trip (4 hr drive from Indiana) to a big lake. We are staying near Sunset Marina and hopefully will be able to rent a slip so I don’t have to launch the boat every day.

should I take anything with me that I wouldn’t normally take to a local lake?

any special sites or places we should visit while we are there?

 

[alldodge]

The lake gets real crazy on the holidays, so much so some one found a tree trying to leave

 

[southkogs]

GPS or a Navionics app on your phone wouldn't be a bad idea. If you're not used to the big impounds down here, one cove can look like another if you're not familiar with the area. Not so hard to get lost.

You may also be surprised at how churned up these lakes can get. There are some big boats cuttin' big wakes on 'em. And like AD said, it gets busy quick. So be prepared for the water to be a little "bouncy."

I think tow boat has a base on Dale Hollow, not sure (I haven't been in a few years). But you may want to see, and consider having a tow package while there. It's a lot of lake and if something goes wrong, it could be tough to paddle back in.

 

[southkogs]

... as to sites to visit:

If you don't find anything online for the area of the lake you're in (I haven't been that way on Dale Hollow at all), don't worry. It's really a pretty lake on it's own. Especially with the hills around here, you'll probably find it very nice no matter where you are. I don't know the lake well enough to suggest anything specific. The dam itself might be kinda' cool to see if you're not used to them.

 

[alldodge]

There is no tow service on the lake, just regular boat owners pulling others in.

I don't go out on Holiday weekends in most cases

 

[southkogs]

alldodge - what part of the lake do you frequent? I've been around Eagle Cove resort a few times, but now my in-laws are near Livingston, TN. I'll probably be up there more, maybe around Mitchell Creek.

-- Sorry for the psuedo hi-jack MC :watermelon:

 

[alldodge]

Sulphur Creek

 

[MC_What have I done?!]

GPS or a Navionics app on your phone wouldn't be a bad idea. If you're not used to the big impounds down here, one cove can look like another if you're not familiar with the area. Not so hard to get lost.

You may also be surprised at how churned up these lakes can get. There are some big boats cuttin' big wakes on 'em. And like AD said, it gets busy quick. So be prepared for the water to be a little "bouncy."

I think tow boat has a base on Dale Hollow, not sure (I haven't been in a few years). But you may want to see, and consider having a tow package while there. It's a lot of lake and if something goes wrong, it could be tough to paddle back in.

thanks for the tips! I did think of the gps, thought about a handheld gps but most my other boating friends all said the Navionics app is better for boating anyways. So I already have it downloaded and the Dale Hollow maps. I plan on having a few tools onboard for minor things, and purchased a solar charger that I’m installing as well. I do have dual batteries and isolate the cabin things from the motor & bilge but figured most likely scenario I’ll have is a dead battery. LOL I saw someone replied that there is no tow service but I will make sure to “make some friends” while camping and boating just in case something like that is needed.

 

[alldodge]

Channel to note,
14 Sulphur Creek
16 Hendricks Creek
74 Willow Grove