Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, has officially announced that Waco, Texas will host Stage 3 of the 2026 Bass Pro Tour. The event, scheduled for March 5–8, 2026, will take place on Lake Whitney and Lake Waco and will be hosted in partnership with the Greater Waco Sports Commission, the City of Waco, and the Waco Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID).
Stage 3 will feature 51 of the world’s top professional bass anglers competing for one of the sport’s largest purses—including a top prize of $150,000 and valuable points toward the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race and REDCREST 2027 qualification.
Anglers will compete on Lake Whitney for Days 1–2 (Qualifying Round), and the competition will shift to Lake Waco for Days 3–4 (Knockout and Championship Rounds). This will mark the first time the Bass Pro Tour has hosted a stop at either lake.
“Waco is thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing and showcase our incredible outdoor resources,” said Mike Vogelaar, Executive Director & President of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. “With support from the City of Waco and the Waco TPID, hosting an event of this caliber highlights our growing reputation as a premier destination for both competitive and recreational fishing.”
“Our 2026 schedule showcases everything we love about the Bass Pro Tour – challenging new waters, high-stakes competition, and a roster of the most accomplished anglers in the sport,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President & General Manager. “We’re excited about several new stops next season, including Lake Whitney and Lake Waco. There’s never been a better time to be a fan of professional bass fishing.”
The 2026 season marks a strategic evolution in the Bass Pro Tour format with a streamlined 51-angler field, part of a two-year restructuring to improve fan engagement, elevate storytelling, and enhance digital broadcast capabilities.
As in 2025, each Bass Pro Tour event will include:
- Qualifying Rounds (Days 1–2): Full field competes.
- Knockout Round (Day 3): Top 20 advance.
- Championship Round (Day 4): Top 10 compete for the title.
MLF’s signature catch-weigh-release format ensures the highest standards in fish care and real-time fan engagement, with every catch streamed live on MLFNOW! via the MLF app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), Rumble, and MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The economic impact of the event is expected to be significant, drawing visitors, hotel nights, and national media attention to the Greater Waco area.
2026 MLF Bass Pro Tour – Stage 3 Overview
- Dates: March 5–8, 2026
- Locations: Days 1–2: Lake Whitney
- Days 3–4: Lake Waco
- Host Organizations: Greater Waco Sports Commission
- City of Waco
- Waco TPID
- Top Prize: $150,000
- Broadcast: MLFNOW! via the MLF app, MOTV, Rumble, and MajorLeagueFishing.com
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