BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The national championship location and dates for the 2017 Bassmaster College Series 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 Bassmaster Classic. 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.