Major League Fishing released its 2026 Bass Pro Tour schedule, setting the scene for 51 pros to fish diverse fisheries nationwide and compete for record-setting payouts. The entire field will battle for Fishing Clash Angler of the Year honors and qualification into REDCREST 2027 and the MLF Heavy Hitters all-star event.
2026 MLF Bass Pro Tour Schedule
- Jan. 15-18, Stage 1 at Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala.
- Feb. 19-22, Stage 2 at Lake Hartwell, Oconee County, S.C.
- March 5-8, Stage 3 at Lake Whitney (Days 1-2) & Lake Waco (Days 3-4), Waco, Texas
- March 26-29, Stage 4 at O.H. Ivie Lake (Days 1-2) & Lake Brownwood (Days 3-4), Early, Texas
- April 16-19, REDCREST 2026 TBA
- April 30 – May 3, Stage 5 at Beaver Lake, Northwest Ark.
- May 16-21, MLF Heavy Hitters at Orange Lake, Ocala, Fla.
- June 18-21, Stage 6 at Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
- Aug. 6-9, Stage 7 at Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
The upcoming season is slated to start on January 15 at Alabama’s Lake Guntersville. The schedule then progresses through different fishing locations across the U.S., including South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Ohio, incorporating fresh tournament sites and “back-to-back dual-lake events” to thoroughly challenge every participant’s fish-abilities.
Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President & General Manager, commented, “Our 2026 schedule truly highlights all the aspects we appreciate about the Bass Pro Tour – demanding new environments, intense rivalry, and a lineup of the sport’s most skilled anglers.” She added, “We’re particularly enthusiastic about several new destinations on the Tour next season and are actively developing some thrilling plans for REDCREST 2026, which will be revealed shortly. It’s an unparalleled era to be an enthusiast of professional bass fishing.”
A significant change for the 2026 season centers on the Bass Pro Tour’s shift to a 51-angler roster, representing a final step in a deliberate two-year overhaul of the league’s competitive structure. This latest phase aims to establish a more efficient and enduring framework that boosts the prominence of each angler, improves storytelling for both fans and sponsors, and optimizes the league’s evolving digital approach.
Similar to the 2025 season, every Bass Pro Tour stop 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’s signature catch-weigh-release format ensures immediate fish care and maximum fan excitement, with every fish scored and streamed live on MLFNOW! via the MLF app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), Rumble, and MajorLeagueFishing.com.
