MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 30, 2013) – FLW has announced its 2014 FLW College Fishing schedule, which for the first time features stand-alone tournaments on some of the country’s best fisheries and no off-limits period in advance of qualifiers and invitationals. One of the fastest-growing college sports, FLW College Fishing has grown to more than 600 registered clubs located all over the country and offers students a chance to fish for cash and prizes for their club while ultimately advancing to the Forrest Wood Cup for the chance to win $500,000.
The season is highlighted by the internationally televised FLW College Fishing National Championship, which features qualifiers from the 2013 calendar year. The championship tournament will be held March 6-8 at Lake Keowee in Seneca, S.C. The national championship is hosted by the Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and will utilize South Cove County Park. The Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitor’s Bureau serves Oconee County in the northwestern-most corner of South Carolina. The region is known as the "Mountain Lakes Region" because of its climate, scenic lakes and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
FLW College Fishing teams compete in three qualifying events in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top 15 teams from each regular-season tournament qualify for one of five conference invitational tournaments. The top 10 teams from each conference invitational tournament advance to the 2015 FLW College Fishing National Championship. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.
College Fishing is free to enter, and each team receives a travel allowance at invitationals and the national championship. Participants may enter online at CollegeFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. Entries will be accepted beginning Dec. 16, 2013, for clubs represented in the 2013 FLW College Fishing National Championship. All other clubs may enter teams beginning Dec 17, 2013. Qualifying events are capped at 50 teams. Each team must supply its own boat. Visit CollegeFishing.com for rules and award details.
2014 FLW College Fishing Schedule
• Central Conference
March 22 Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
April 26 Carlyle Lake, Carlyle, Ill.
May 31 Mississippi River, Fort Madison, Iowa
(Invitational)
Sept. 13-14 Kentucky Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
• Northern Conference
May 3 Smith Mountain Lake, Huddleston, Va.
July 12 Chesapeake Bay, North East, Md.
Aug. 23 Chautauqua Lake, Bermus Point, N.Y.
(Invitational)
Oct. 11-12 Potomac River, Marbury, Md.
• Southeastern Conference
Feb. 1 Lake Seminole, Bainbridge, Ga.
March 1 Clarks Hill Lake, Appling, Ga.
May 17 Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala.
(Invitational)
Oct. 18-19 Lake Chickamauga, Hixson, Tenn.
• Southern Conference
Feb. 15 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Zwolle, La.
June 21 Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
July 26 Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Ark.
(Invitational)
Oct. 25-26 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jasper, Texas
• Western Conference
Feb. 1 Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
May 17 California Delta, Bethel Island, Calif.
Sept. 6 New Melones Lake, Angels Camp, Calif.
(Invitational)
Oct. 11-12 Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif.
• FLW College Fishing National Championship
March 6-8 Lake Keowee, Seneca, S.C.
Host: Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitor’s Bureau