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B.A.S.S.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced two schedule updates for the 2026 Bassmaster Opens, including a venue change for one tournament and a practice period adjustment for another to better accommodate anglers competing across divisions.
The Bassmaster Open at Pickwick Lake, originally scheduled for May 20-22, has been relocated to Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley out of Paris, Tenn., due to a scheduling conflict at the original site. The competition dates will remain the same.
Located along the Tennessee River, Kentucky Lake and its sister reservoir, Lake Barkley, together form one of the largest and most diverse freshwater fishing destinations in the country. Connected by a free-flowing canal, the two lakes offer more than 300,000 acres of water and nearly 3,000 miles of shoreline, creating exceptional opportunities for both shallow-water and offshore ledge fishing.
Paris Landing State Park, which will serve as tournament headquarters, provides world-class facilities and has hosted numerous B.A.S.S. events. The surrounding Kentucky/Barkley Lakes region is rich in bass fishing history and remains a favorite among both professional and recreational anglers for its balance of accessibility, scenic beauty and competitive challenge.
In addition, the Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman (April 30-May 2) will now feature a Monday-Wednesday practice period instead of the previously scheduled Sunday-Tuesday practice with Wednesday off. The competition dates will remain the same. This change ensures competitors traveling from Grand Lake, the previous Division 2 event, have adequate time to safely travel and prepare for competition in Charlotte.
“These adjustments reflect our continued commitment to providing the best possible competitive experience for our anglers,” said B.A.S.S. Executive Director of Tournaments, Hank Weldon. “Moving the Pickwick event to Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley allows us to maintain a top-quality fishery and event infrastructure, while the Lake Norman schedule modification supports safe travel and fair preparation time for everyone in the field.”
2026 Opens Schedule
Division 1
• Jan. 29-31 — Kissimmee Chain (Kissimmee, Fla.) – NO FFS
• Apr. 1-3 — Lake Eufaula (Eufaula, Ala.) - FFS
• Apr. 30-May 2 — Lake Norman (Charlotte, N.C.) – NO FFS
• Aug. 20-22 — Lake Erie (Buffalo, N.Y.) – FFS
Division 2
• Feb. 19-21 — Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Jasper, Texas) - FFS
• Apr. 23-25 — Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (Grove, Okla.) – NO FFS
• May 20-22 — Kentucky Lake (Paris, Tenn.) - FFS
• June 18-20 — Upper Mississippi River (La Crosse, Wis.) – NO FFS
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