BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is continuing to build the wildly popular Bassmaster Kayak Series and has announced the schedule for the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft. The schedule features six stops across six states and presents some of the best fishing opportunities in the country for tournament kayak anglers.
“In 2024 we saw the anglers’ continued commitment to the series, and for 2025 we wanted to add some fisheries that had never hosted a national-level kayak event or maybe hadn’t held one in several years,” said Bassmaster Kayak Series Tournament Director Steve Owens. “And we made our best effort to align those events with prime fishing times.”
“The participation in the Bassmaster Kayak Series has exploded since its inception, and the 2025 schedule should be a treat for anglers and fans alike,” said GL Compton, tournament manager for the B.A.S.S. Nation, who oversees the Bassmaster Kayak Series.
The 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series schedule will begin the season Jan. 18-19 at Lake Havasu in Havasu City, Ariz., a first for the series. Lake Havasu is formed by Parker Dam on the Colorado River on the border between San Bernardino County, Calif., and Mohave County, Ariz. Lake Havasu City sits on the Arizona side of the lake, and Havasu Lake is the California counterpart. Havasu features a healthy smallmouth and largemouth bass population in a desert setting.
Kayak Series anglers will then cross the country for another first-time series stop at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Feb. 1-2 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Kissimmee Chain is no stranger to B.A.S.S. competition — three of the Top 10 heaviest bass in B.A.S.S. competition have come from its waters. The Kissimmee Chain also holds a Bassmaster Classic record for heaviest bass caught during Classic competition, an 11-10 heavyweight caught by Preston Clark in 2006.
“We are excited to bring the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series to Kissimmee,” said Tyler Weyant, director of sports development for the Kissimmee Sports Commission. “Our community takes great pride in hosting premier fishing tournaments, and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is a favorite among anglers. We want to offer anglers, families, and spectators an unforgettable experience in the heart of Florida and invite everyone to explore our local restaurants, attractions, and shops while enjoying the tournament.”
After the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX at Lake Fork in Yantis, Texas, held March 19-20 in conjunction with the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour March 21-23 at Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas, anglers head to another first-time destination, Dale Hollow Reservoir in Byrdstown, Tenn., April 26-27. After Dale Hollow comes Lake Tenkiller in Cookson, Okla., May 31-June 1. Tenkiller was the site of the 2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship, where Drew Gregory, a 44-year-old resident of Kent, Ohio, clinched the championship with a total of 10 bass measuring 180.5 inches.
Anglers will then head north to Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y., July 26-27. Champlain is a storied smallmouth fishery familiar to other B.A.S.S. tournament series but will be a first for Kayak Series anglers. Champlain checked in at No. 6 in the Northeastern Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes list for 2024 and supports a strong population of both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
The Kayak Series season ends with yet another first-time Kayak Series event at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Hemphill, Texas, Sept. 27-28. Toledo Bend placed sixth in the Central Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s 2024 100 Best Bass Lakes list, and for good reason — Kyoya Fujita broke into the Century Club at the 2024 Elite Series event on Toledo Bend with a 100-13 winning total.
“We are excited to have the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series coming to Toledo Bend,” said Sabine County Judge Daryl Melton. “Participants will experience a memorable fishing adventure and will enjoy the emphasis that has been placed on kayaking with the development of four paddling trails on the lake. We hope this event will be the catalyst for many more events in the future since Sabinetown Park, a world-class tournament facility, is slated for completion in 2026.”
2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft
Jan. 18-19, Lake Havasu, Havasu City, Ariz.
Feb. 1-2, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla.
April 26-27, Dale Hollow Reservoir, Byrdstown, Tenn.
May 31-June 1, Lake Tenkiller, Cookson, Okla.
July 26-27, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Sept. 27-28, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Hemphill, Texas
The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft is scored by TourneyX.
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium
