By BassFan Staff
Major League Fishing announced today the 2026 Bass Pro Tour schedule, ushering in a new chapter for the organization’s top circuit as it transitions to a smaller field size.
The 2026 season will consist of seven events, or stages, as well as the Heavy Hitters event and the REDCREST championship. The schedule kicks off in mid-January at Lake Guntersville and concludes in early August on the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. It features a pair of dual-lake tournaments in Texas and also includes stops at popular tournament venues Lake Hartwell and Grand Lake.
When the 2026 season begins, the Bass Pro Tour field will consist of 51 anglers as part of the league’s two-year restructuring plan to enhance the competitive format.
“Our 2026 schedule showcases everything we love about the Bass Pro Tour – challenging new waters, high-stakes competition and a roster of the most accomplished anglers in the sport,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President & General Manager. “We’re especially excited about several new stops on the Tour next season, and working on some exciting developments for REDCREST 2026, which we’ll be announcing soon. There’s never been a better time to be a fan of the sport of professional bass fishing.”
As in 2025, each Bass Pro Tour event next year will feature the full field of anglers competing in the Qualifying Round on Days 1 and 2, followed by the Knockout Round on Day 3 and then the Championship Round on Day 4. The league will continue to employ its signature catch-weigh-release format.
2026 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Schedule
> Jan. 15-18: Lake Guntersville (Guntersville, Ala.)
> Feb. 19-22: Lake Hartwell (Oconee, S.C.)
> March 5-8: Lake Whitney/Lake Waco (Waco, Texas)
> March 26-29: O.H. Ivie Lake/Lake Brownwood (Early, Texas)
> April 16-19: REDCREST (location TBA)
> April 30-May 3: Beaver Lake (Northwest Arkansas)
> May 16-21: Heavy Hitters – Orange Lake (Ocala, Fla.)
> June 18-21: Grand Lake (Grove, Okla.)
> Aug. 6-9: Lake Erie (Sandusky, Ohio)
