The national championship location and dates for the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops have been decided and released, B.A.S.S. announced today.
The championship will be held on Minnesota’s famed Lake Bemidji, and connected fisheries in Bemidji, Minn., Aug. 10-12. The event is hosted by Bemidji State University (BSU) and Visit Bemidji.
“Visit Bemidji is excited to partner with B.A.S.S. and BSU in development of the 2017 Bassmaster College Series National Championship,” said Susan Goudge, executive director for Visit Bemidji. “The event will be second-to-none with our university campus being located on the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji.”
Goudge said the scenic lakes and local amenities provide an ideal venue for the nation’s top college anglers.
“Lake Bemidji and area lakes are naturally connected to multiple waterways that include the Mississippi River,” she said. “Bemidji, First City on the Mississippi, looks forward to welcoming the fishing teams, families and B.A.S.S. staff to our beautiful community. And, we’d like to wish the best of luck to all the young anglers.”
“Bemidji State University is proud to join with regional and industry partners as host of this high-caliber competition,” said Mike Mulry, director of engagement marketing at BSU. “We will seize the opportunity to showcase our lakeside campus as an ideal destination for competitive fishermen and all students who love the outdoors.”
To qualify for the national championship, College anglers compete in one of five regionals, and in a Wild Card qualifier for a second chance to reach the championship.
B.A.S.S. also announced that the Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops will be held June 8-10 on Lay Lake in Shelby County, Ala.
After three days of championship competition in Minnesota, the best team will be crowned College Series national champions.
From there, the Top 4 teams will advance to the College Bracket, at a location to be later announced, Aug. 14-16. At that point, individual anglers will then vie for a single berth to the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Classic will be held March 16-18 in Greenville, S.C., with fishing competition taking place on Lake Hartwell out of Anderson, S.C.
For more information, please visit Bassmaster.com/college-bass-fishing.
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Shell Rotella, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Huk, Skeeter Boats, Humminbird
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: ABU Garcia, Advance Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Livingston Lures, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Costa, Shimano, St. Croix Rods
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines), Bassmaster website , television show (The Bassmasters), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
By: JamieDay Matthews