B.A.S.S. released the 2026 schedule for the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft. It includes six major tournaments nationwide and a championship event in Knoxville, Tennessee, which will run alongside the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
“The 2026 schedule highlights some of the best and most diverse kayak fisheries in the nation,” said Steve Owens, Bassmaster Kayak Series tournament director. “From Florida vegetation to California clear water and everything in between, this trail reflects how kayak fishing continues to thrive nationwide. We’re also thrilled to once again tie our championship to the biggest stage in bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.”
2026 B.A.S.S. Kayak Schedule
- Feb. 7-8 — Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla.
- April 18-19 — Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau, Shreveport, La.
- May 30-31 — Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
- June 6-7 — Clear Lake, Lake County, Calif.
- Aug. 1-2 — Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, Pa.
- Aug. 22-23 — Wolf and Fox Rivers, Appleton, Wis.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in February
The season kicks off February 7 to 8 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Kissimmee, one of Florida’s most famous bass fisheries known for its vast vegetation, winding canals and potential for giant largemouth. The four major lakes include Tohopekaliga (Toho), Cypress, Hatchineha and Kissimmee.
March Madness in Tennessee
In March, qualifying anglers from the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series season head to Chickamauga and Nickajack lakes in Chattanooga from March 11 to 13 to compete in the Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship, which will be held alongside the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. While the entire Tennessee River and its reservoirs are known for excellent fishing, the stretch anglers are fishing is famous for trophy-sized bass and a vibrant springtime bite.
Caddo Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana in April
The series kicks off spring — from April 18 to 19 — by heading to the mossy, challenging waters of Caddo Lake and Lake Bistineau near Shreveport, Louisiana. Forget deep-water structure; here, you’re fishing a flooded forest. These cypress-filled bayous are beautiful, but they demand a power game: Think flipping and pitching heavy jigs and plastics into the dense, dark cover to pull out a bite.
Santee Cooper Lakes in South Carolina in May
The trail shifts east on May 30 and 31 to the historic big-bass mecca of the Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Comprised of lakes Marion and Moultrie, this system is famous for its shallow flats, vast areas of flooded timber, and an unbelievable potential for true trophy largemouth. This is where you go if you want a shot at catching a fish of a lifetime.
Head West to Clear Lake California in June
The series makes the long haul west to California’s largest natural freshwater body, Clear Lake, in Lake County, on June 6 and 7. This lake consistently produces both incredible numbers of bass and giant size, largely thanks to its exceptionally rich forage base. Competitors will need to figure out the complex underwater structure to win on this nationally ranked fishery.
August Brings Anglers to the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania
After the early summer stops, the schedule jumps to the Northeast for smallmouth action on the Susquehanna River near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, from August 1 to 2. This is a shallow, rocky river that is widely regarded as a premier smallmouth destination. Success here is all about managing your boat, reading the current breaks, and using precise positioning to present baits to river smallmouths.
The Season Ends in August at Wisconsin’s Winnebago
The 2026 season concludes on August 22 and 23 in Appleton, Wisconsin, by fishing the plentiful Wolf and Fox rivers. Flowing into Lake Winnebago, these waterways offer a highly dynamic, current-based fishery. It’s a great way to end the season, as the bite offers opportunities to catch both solid largemouth and smallmouth bass.
“The growth of the Bassmaster Kayak Series has been incredible,” said GL Compton, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager. “This lineup showcases the variety of fisheries that make kayak competition so exciting, including shallow river systems, deep clear lakes and everything in between. Each stop provides anglers with unique challenges and opportunities to demonstrate their skill and adaptability.”
