Bass Fishing Tournaments Across the U.S.
From the Bassmaster Classic to weekend amateur events, here's how pro bass fishing works and where the big events are in 2027.
The big events of 2027
Bassmaster Classic
March 19–21, 2027
Lake Hartwell, hosted by Greenville and Anderson, SC. It's the fifth Classic on Hartwell, and the week includes the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo.
REDCREST 2027
April 16–18, 2027
Logan Martin Lake, near Birmingham, AL. The Bass Pro Tour's championship, with a $300,000 top prize.
Toyota Series Championship
Nov. 4–6, 2027
Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, TN. The winning pro earns a spot in REDCREST 2028.
How tournament bass fishing works
Bassmaster (B.A.S.S.)
The oldest bass-fishing organization. Its top pros fish the Elite Series, and the best qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. Anglers bring their five heaviest bass to the scales each day.
Major League Fishing (MLF)
Runs the Bass Pro Tour, where pros weigh every bass over the minimum size on the spot and release it, plus the Toyota Series and other trails for up-and-coming anglers.
Start local
Most anglers begin with a local bass club or weeknight "jackpot" tournaments at their nearest lake. Many events let non-boaters fish from the back of a boat as co-anglers. Check B.A.S.S. Nation and MLF's websites for events near you.
2027 Bassmaster Elite Series
| Dates | Lake | Host |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 11–14 | Lake Okeechobee | Okeechobee, FL |
| Feb. 18–21 | Kissimmee Chain of Lakes | Kissimmee, FL |
| Apr. 8–11 | Sabine River | Orange, TX |
| Apr. 22–25 | Lake Fork | Yantis, TX |
| May 6–9 | Lake Seminole | Bainbridge, GA |
| May 20–23 | Santee Cooper Lakes | Clarendon County, SC |
| June 17–20 | Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway | Columbus, MS |
| Aug. 5–8 | Lake St. Clair | Macomb County, MI |
| Aug. 19–22 | Mississippi River | La Crosse, WI |
2027 MLF Bass Pro Tour
| Dates | Event | Lake | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14–17 | Stage 1 | St. Johns River | Palatka, FL |
| Feb. 25–28 | Stage 2 | Caddo Lake & Cross Lake | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA |
| Mar. 11–14 | Stage 3 | Norris Lake | Campbell County, TN |
| Apr. 1–4 | Stage 4 | Toledo Bend Reservoir | Hemphill, TX |
| Apr. 16–18 | REDCREST (championship) | Logan Martin Lake | near Birmingham, AL |
| Apr. 29–May 2 | Stage 5 | Lake Champlain | Plattsburgh, NY |
| May 22–27 | Heavy Hitters (all-star) | Kentucky & Barkley Lakes | Calvert City, KY |
| June 24–27 | Stage 6 | Pickwick Lake | Counce, TN |
| Aug. 5–8 | Stage 7 | Pasquotank River | Elizabeth City, NC |
2027 MLF Toyota Series
Five regional divisions with lower entry fees, a great step up from local club tournaments.
| Dates | Division | Lake | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 11–13 | Southern | Lake Okeechobee | Clewiston, FL |
| Feb. 25–27 | Central | Lake Guntersville | Scottsboro, AL |
| Mar. 11–13 | Plains | Beaver Lake | Rogers, AR |
| Mar. 16–18 | Southwestern | Grand Lake | Grove, OK |
| Mar. 23–25 | Southern | Harris Chain of Lakes | Leesburg, FL |
| Apr. 1–3 | Plains | Kentucky Lake | Buchanan, TN |
| Apr. 22–24 | Central | Pickwick Lake | Florence, AL |
| Apr. 29–May 1 | Southern | Lake Eufaula | Eufaula, AL |
| May 12–14 | Southwestern | Lake Ray Roberts | Denton, TX |
| June 17–19 | Southwestern | Lake Dardanelle | Russellville, AR |
| June 24–26 | Northern | Potomac River | Marbury, MD |
| July 29–31 | Northern | Lake Champlain | Plattsburgh, NY |
| Sept. 16–18 | Northern | Lake Erie | Marblehead, OH |
| Sept. 23–25 | Plains | Lake of the Ozarks | Osage Beach, MO |
| Sept. 30–Oct. 2 | Central | Lake Guntersville | Guntersville, AL |
| Nov. 4–6 | Championship | Dale Hollow Lake | Byrdstown, TN |
Schedules as announced by B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing in 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm on Bassmaster.com and MajorLeagueFishing.com. Sources: Elite Series, Classic, Bass Pro Tour, Toyota Series.