Dale Hollow Lake

By: Matt Foster

In March 2021, I was invited by the Brushpile Fishing crew to attend a media camp on Dale Hollow Lake at Cedar Hill Marina. I was unsure of what to expect as this was the first media camp I had ever been invited to. After driving for approximately six hours, I slowly pulled down the hill at Cedar Hill Marina and observed the beautiful blue waters of Dale Hollow Lake.

I was greeted by the owner, Dennis Wilbert, aka Dale Hollow Denny. He told us if we needed anything during our stay to please let him know. I asked Denny when he started his marinas at Dale Hollow Lake. Denny said, “It goes all the way back to 1964 when my parents brought me here for the first time and we fell in love with the place.” Denny informed me that his family vacationed at Dale Hollow Lake multiple weekends for several years. As life went on, Denny explained that he brought his children to Dale Hollow Lake to camp. After visiting on numerous occasions, Denny said that his entire family grew very fond of the lake. Denny said in 2010, he moved his family to Dale Hollow Lake and in 2012 purchased Dale Hollow Marina. After purchasing Dale Hollow Marina they did a total rebuild of the docks. However, he still had dreams of purchasing Cedar Hill Marina. Denny explained that when he was twelve years old he told his mother that he was going to buy Cedar Hill Marina for her one day. In 2019, Denny was able to make his dream a reality and purchased Cedar Hill Marina.

Denny informed me that Dale Hollow Marina has 200 boat slips and there are 200 boat slips at Cedar Hill Marina. They are building another sixty boat slips this year and their end goal is to have a total of 400 boat slips at Cedar Hill Marina. I inquired about rental boats and Denny said they have twelve rental houseboats, ten rental pontoons, three Tracker fishing boats, and one Tracker walleye boat.

While staying at Cedar Hill Marina, the cabin I stayed in had a beautiful view of the lake and the marina with all the amenities. I asked Denny about the cabins he had available for rent. He informed me they had twenty-five cabins, ten motel rooms, floating cabins, and they are currently building a next-generation floating cabin for the fishermen. It will be an open concept with two beds, a bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and its own boat slip with electric hook-up available. Denny explained that he is currently building one right now for his best friend and preacher, who has been very instrumental in his life. Denny said he is able to accommodate large groups as well. One of their floating cabins is two-story with four bedrooms and houseboats that have six bedrooms. The houseboats can be put side-by-side so the whole group is together.

The crappie we caught during my week’s stay was big black crappie. Denny also informed me that even though Dale Hollow is known for its smallmouth bass, it has a healthy population of walleye and trout in the lake as well. If interested in making a reservation contact Denny at (931) 243-2211 or (931)- 243- 3201.