The Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch Tours, put on by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were successfully conducted on January 17 and February 14, 2026, at Dale Hollow Lake, which supports the second largest wintering bald eagle population in Tennessee and Kentucky. These tours provided the public with a unique opportunity to observe bald eagles and other wildlife in their natural habitat during the peak overwintering season. The program is a long-standing public outreach and wildlife education initiative that has been offered annually since the 1990s.
Eagle Watch tours were held on the third and fourth Saturdays of January and offered free of charge with advance reservations required due to limited capacity. Participants were transported via open-air barge to view wintering bald eagles along Dale Hollow Lake. Each tour accommodated up to 50 participants, with a limit of five reservations per individual.
Tours were conducted using an open-air barge supplied and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Morning tours included departures from Lillydale Campground on the Tennessee side, (9:30 a.m. CST), with additional pickup at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park on the Kentucky side, (10:00 a.m. CST). Afternoon tours depart from Lillydale Campground at 12:30 p.m. CST. Tours lasted up to three hours, and participants were advised to dress warmly.
Participants were required to arrive 10–15 minutes early for check-in. Safety requirements were clearly communicated, including mandatory life jackets; participants were encouraged to bring their own due to limited availability. Portable and permanent restroom facilities were available at launch sites and on the barge. No safety incidents have been reported during any of the tours. Overall logistics were well managed, contributing to smooth operations and positive visitor feedback.
Attendance was strong, with tour spaces filling quickly for both dates. Despite cold winter conditions, tours were conducted as scheduled, participants enthusiastically attended and actively engaged in eagle viewing, wildlife observation, photography, and educational discussion about eagle behavior and habitat. Several bald eagles and other water birds were successfully observed during the tours, contributing to a positive and memorable experience for attendees.
Melissa Briggs with The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery along with The Friends of Dale Hollow Lake, the lake’s non-profit cooperating association, provided valuable support by offering complimentary hot drinks and snacks, including coffee, hot cocoa, donuts, and sausage biscuits. Their presence enhanced visitor comfort and reinforced community engagement and conservation outreach efforts. The organization also offered merchandise for sale, with proceeds supporting conservation and lake improvement projects.
The Eagle Watch Tours continue to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mission by promoting environmental stewardship, wildlife education, and off-season recreation. The winter timing of the program aligns with optimal eagle viewing conditions due to overwintering behavior, abundant food sources, and increased visibility from leaf-off vegetation.
The program also highlights the successful restoration of bald eagles at Dale Hollow Lake following reintroduction efforts between 1987 and 1991, during which 44 eagles were transplanted and released using the hacking technique. Today, Dale Hollow Lake supports nesting pairs of bald eagles and year-round eagle activity.
The 2025 Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch Tours were highly successful, offering meaningful wildlife viewing experiences, promoting conservation awareness, and encouraging public enjoyment of Dale Hollow Lake during the winter season. This continues to be an effective tool for wildlife education, conservation outreach, and public use during the winter season. The strong attendance, positive participant feedback, and effective collaboration with the Friends of Dale Hollow Lake and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery demonstrate the continued value and success of this long-standing program.
