The 2023 MLF College Fishing National Championship is headed to Kissimmee, Fla.
MLF, in conjunction with the Kissimmee Sports Commission, announced that Lake Tohopekaliga – commonly referred to as Lake Toho – has been named the location of the 2023 event, to be held Feb. 21-23.
The tournament will showcase the top teams from the 2022 College Fishing season competing for a top prize of $43,500, including a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro boat powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000. The winning team also advances to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros for a shot at winning as much as $235,000. The highest finishing team member at the Toyota Series Championship advances to REDCREST 2024 to compete against the world’s best pros for a top prize of $300,000.
The second-place club National Championship receives a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro boat powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The team also advances to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros. The third-place finishers at the 2023 National Championship receives $4,000, and the team advances to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship as co-anglers for a shot at winning a $33,500 Phoenix boat. Every team in the Top 10 at the 2023 College Fishing National Championship receives at least $1,000.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing our 2023 College Fishing National Championship to Kissimmee and Lake Toho,” said Kevin Hunt, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations, College and High School. “We’ve had great success hosting previous MLF events in Kissimmee, and the phenomenal fishing and local enthusiasm at our previous tournaments has made bringing our National Championship to Lake Toho an obvious choice. We look forward to showcasing the top college anglers from the 2022 season to our fans in Florida and those watching across the country.”
Although Lake Toho has played host to dozens of MLF (and former FLW) tournaments over the years, this event will mark the first time that the MLF College Fishing circuit has ever visited the largest lake in Osceola County. In addition to the College Fishing National Championship, the venue will also play host to the MLF Bass Pro Tour (Feb. 13-18).
Each day of competition at the National Championship will feature weigh-ins livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com. Television coverage of the event will be showcased in the fall of 2023 on the CBS Sports Network.
