Periodically, Dale Hollow Lake can have good numbers of ducks present. Mostly, this means mallards and black ducks, especially early in the season. As the year progresses, hunters often will see scaup, buffleheads and even ringnecks.

Canada geese can be a hit-or-miss proposition, but they are there. Not a lot of geese are seen on the Kentucky side of the reservoir, but there are resident geese in the area. It's possible to encounter them moving around from time to time. Typically, many more geese are found on the Tennessee side of the lake.

Hunters need to remember that the lake does not have a reciprocal agreement for hunting as it does for fishing. Hunters must be licensed for the proper state, based on where on the lake they are hunting. Waterfowlers should always keep a lake map close at hand to know the boundaries.

Hunters also have the option of purchasing licenses for both states so they can hunt the entire reservoir. This tactic can come in particularly useful when birds are moving around a lot and hard to locate.

The lake is dotted with various islands. Some of the shallow flats around these islands can be real magnates for waterfowl.

Another tip is to key on vegetation. Dale Hollow has some submergent vegetation, which is usually still present until sometime in December. The ducks feed significantly on this vegetation early in the fall before it disappears. If hunters can locate this vegetation, they can usually score well on ducks.

Dale Hollow Lake gets a fair amount of hunting pressure, according to biologist Pritchert. It is a large lake, however, and he says it has more potential than what gets used.

Most hunting on the lake is done by boat. However, some shallow-water shoreline areas attract a good many birds. However, hunters should familiarize themselves with the lake regulations to know which areas they may legally hunt.

Obviously, information for the Kentucky side of the lake can be obtained from the usual KDFWR contacts. Hunters may also call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (931) 243-3136.

You can also learn more by visiting www.state.tn.us/twra, the state's Web site, or at www.tnwildlife.org.

GRAYSON LAKE
This 20-mile-long lake near the town of Grayson amounts to some 1,510 acres of water.

Another 7,991 acres make up the Grayson Lake WMA. Waterfowlers can really do well here, depending on the season's conditions.

Grayson Lake gets a pretty good amount of early hunting pressure, as there are usually decent numbers resident Canada geese in the area.

Hunters may encounter these geese later on into the season as well, but after being shot at early, they become much smarter. Scouting is an absolute necessity.

Ducks like the Grayson area, too, and good numbers of birds can be found there at times. The dominant species encountered at the lake are mallards and black ducks. They tend to prefer the coves and backwater areas of the lake. But as with the geese, hunters must scout and do their homework to score.

Most waterfowl hunters like to target the shallow-water areas in the upper ends of these embayments or along the shoreline areas nearby.

Another popular hunting location is Rosedale Point. Hunters should be aware that the lake is closed to waterfowl hunting within 3/4 mile of the dam. The Deer Creek Branch of Grayson Lake is also closed to waterfowl hunting.

Waterfowl may be found at Grayson Lake most anytime, but the birds use the lake primarily as a loafing or roosting area. Hunting conditions typically get better later in the year, especially during severe cold spells. Grayson Lake is deep and one of the last water bodies in the area to freeze. It can quickly turn into a real "hotspot" when other areas lock up.