The 2026 slate includes nine regular-season events across six states, plus the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn., March 13-15. From grass-laden Southern reservoirs to sprawling Northern smallmouth factories, the season promises drama, big bass and fierce competition from start to finish.
“This is one of the most well-rounded Elite Series schedules we’ve ever built,” said Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We’re hitting iconic fisheries, revisiting challenging venues we haven’t seen in a decade or more and returning to some fan-favorite locations. This lineup will not only push our anglers to their limits but also deliver incredible action for fans both on the water and watching from home.”
The season kicks off February 5-8 on Alabama’s famed Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro. Known for its sprawling grass mats, giant bass and historic tournament moments, Guntersville is a perennial favorite among both fans and anglers. The last time the Elites visited in 2021, Wisconsin’s Caleb Kuphall claimed victory with 85 pounds, 14 ounces, navigating the thick hydrilla and milfoil to perfection.
A week later, the Elite Series heads south to Lake Martin in Alexander City, Ala., February 12-15. Tucked into the foothills of the Appalachians, this deep, clear reservoir offers a contrast in styles with its spotted bass population and finesse-focused tactics. The Elites last visited in 2018, when former Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Takahiro Omori thrilled local fans by winning with 59 pounds, 8 ounces.
March brings bass fishing’s biggest stage back to one of its most electric cities. The Bassmaster Classic returns to Knoxville, Tenn., March 13-15, where the Tennessee River weaves through the heart of downtown. In 2023, Canadian pro Jeff Gustafson mastered the current-driven ledges to capture the Classic title with 42-7, and Knoxville’s passionate crowds made it one of the most attended Classics in history.
After the Classic, the Elites will venture to Columbus, Miss., and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway from March 26-29. A diverse and winding stretch of water, the Tenn-Tom offers tricky navigation, backwater hideaways and a healthy bass population. This will be a brand-new fishery for the Elites to tackle, and we are all excited to see the best anglers on the planet uncover its secrets.
In April, the tour heads to Muskogee, Okla., and the historic Arkansas River, April 16-19. Known for its ever-changing water levels, lock systems and heavy cover, the Arkansas River is a test of adaptability. The last time Bassmaster visited this fishery was in 2011, when Oklahoma pro Tommy Biffle outlasted the field with a winning weight of 45 pounds, 13 ounces.
Come May, the Elites roll into Lake Murray in Columbia, S.C., May 7-10. A blueback herring fishery that rewards those who can keep up with fast-moving bass, Murray has become a hotbed for topwater blowups and schooling fish. In 2024, Patrick Walters captured the win here in his home state with a stout 93-pound, 15-ounce total.
The following week, May 14-17, the circuit stays in South Carolina for a return to the cypress-laden Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County. Famous for producing monster largemouth, Santee Cooper is a bucket-list destination for many anglers. Oklahoma’s Luke Palmer dominated here in 2023, bringing in 96 pounds, 14 ounces to secure victory.
In June, the tour journeys to the historic waters of Elizabeth City, N.C., for a showdown on the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound, June 11-14. A blackwater fishery teeming with cypress trees, lily pads, and tidal influence, the Pasquotank presents a shallow-water playground. In 2025, Alabama pro Kyle Welcher had the most dominating win in Bassmaster history, landing 118 pounds, 12 ounces, beating second place finisher Brandon Lester by more than 45 pounds.
After a midsummer break, the Elites travel north for two marquee events in New York. First up is Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, August 13-16. Straddling the border of New York and Vermont, Champlain is renowned for its dual threat of quality smallmouth and largemouth fishing. In 2024, Virginia’s Ed Loughran III conquered the diverse fishery with 80 pounds, 12 ounces.
The regular season concludes August 27-30 in Clayton, N.Y., on the legendary St. Lawrence River, the gold standard for smallmouth fishing. This deep, clear waterway is home to some of the biggest smallmouth on the planet. In 2024, Canadian pro Cory Johnston joined the exclusive smallmouth Century Club here with a 102-pound total, showcasing just how special the St. Lawrence can be.
The 2026 season blends familiar power-fishing strongholds with tactical finesse fisheries, ensuring a full spectrum of angling styles will be needed to claim victory. Fans can look forward to live coverage of every event on FOX Sports, Bassmaster.com and the all-new Bassmaster FAST Channel on Roku, launched earlier this month.
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