A record 57.9 million aged 6 and older participated in fishing in 2024, representing 19 percent of the U.S. population, according to the 2025 Special Report on Fishing USA, released by the Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
Moreover, today’s fishing competition landscape continues to expand with more livestreaming, increasing prize money and brand sponsorships, as well as more junior and college-level tournaments that are broadening the sport’s base. It’s no wonder that more destinations are scaling up for more action.
Branson, Missouri
This destination offers world-class fishing on three premier lakes: Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lake. All provide diverse fishing opportunities including nationally recognized bass and trout fisheries.
What sets Branson apart is the ability to host tournaments across multiple lakes with different species, combined with convenient access, extensive lodging and a tourism infrastructure built to support large events.
Branson regularly hosts a wide variety of fishing competitions including professional bass tournaments, college and high school fishing events, amateur circuits, youth tournaments and competitions.
Major organizations frequently hold events in the area, including tournaments affiliated with Major League Fishing, YETI, Mr. Crappie, MLF Toyota Series and B.A.S.S., along with numerous regional and collegiate circuits.
“Branson hosts dozens of fishing tournaments each year across its three lakes, ranging from small competitions to major regional and national events,” says Kristina Hagey, director of sports sales and development, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB. “Local partners continue to pursue additional tournaments and are focused on expanding opportunities in youth, high school, collegiate and professional fishing circuits.”
She adds that large-scale tournaments average 3,000-plus participants and about 4,500 spectators annually, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $3 million.
“Branson continues to strengthen partnerships with tournament organizers and conservation groups to promote sustainable fisheries, youth fishing programs and expanded tournament opportunities,” notes Hagey. “The community is also focused on enhancing event experiences through improved weigh-in locations, spectator engagement and partnerships with local resorts and attractions.”
Crawford County, Pennsylvania
It’s easy to get reel in Crawford, which boasts four main fishing venues. Canadohta Lake offers great fishing in all four seasons, and species include northern pike, muskie, bluegill, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, carp and catfish.
Pymatuning State Park provides year-round warm water fishing on a 17,088-acre reservoir, famous for walleye, muskie, crappie and yellow perch. Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania’s largest natural lake (928 acres), has muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike and panfish.
French Creek is a premier warm water fishery with more than 1,200 miles of diverse angling for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie, pike and panfish.
Fishing competitions abound and include the annual Bass Classic Team Tournament on Conneaut Lake, an annual ice fishing competition on Canadohta Lake, the annual Oil Creek Classic fly-fishing competition held in Titusville, Pennsylvania and a wide variety of annual tournaments at Pymatuning State Park.
“Fishing tournaments in Crawford County are part of a larger, significant economic boost to the Pennsylvania tourism economy, which saw a 15 percent increase in tourism in 2024, with boating and fishing activity up 11 percent,” says Stacey George, communications coordinator, Visit Crawford.
“One of Crawford County’s greatest strengths is its ability to welcome and attract a truly diverse audience,” says George. “Events and tournaments — especially those centered around fishing and seasonal traditions — continue to bring together participants from a wide range of backgrounds.”
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie offers anglers access to both open-water Lake Erie fishing and protected bay fishing, just minutes apart.
The primary venue is Presque Isle Bay, one of the oldest natural harbors on the Great Lakes, which can host multiple fishing formats simultaneously, including boat, kayak, shore, youth and ice fishing (the bay is consistently ranked as a top ice fishing destination).
Lake Erie is nationally recognized for walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and steelhead fishing and is well suited for professional-level competition.
The destination hosts a wide range of year-round fishing competitions, and each year the Erie Sports Commission supports multiple fishing tournaments including PA B.A.S.S. Nation, Kayak Anglers, Keystone Bass Buddies, Kings of BASS and BASS Federation.
Erie also attracts elite professional events such as Major League Fishing and Bassmaster-B.A.S.S. Nation tournaments that bring nationally known anglers and large media exposure.
“There is ongoing interest in expanding the scale and reach of existing events by raising participation and exploring opportunities to support new fishing events to further diversify offerings and grow year-round economic impact,” says Sydney Dietz, events and marketing manager, Erie Sports Commission. “The combination of strong fish populations, experienced local organizations and an established tourism ecosystem make Erie well-suited for regional and high-profile fishing competitions.”
Hardin County, Tennessee
It’s easy to get hooked on fishing in Hardin County, and the primary venue is Pickwick Lake, the reservoir created by Pickwick Landing Dam as part of Tennessee Valley Authority.
The lake stretches from Pickwick Landing Dam in Counce, Tennessee, to Wilson Dam in Florence, Alabama, touching Mississippi, so it is one of the few lakes in the U.S. to be located in three states.
The fishing action takes place in the northern zone of the lake at Pickwick Landing State Park in Pickwick, Tennessee, part of the Bill Dance Signature Lake series.
Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife and Resource Agency and local tourism have advanced tournament amenities with two ramps offering eight launching slots and a handicap-accessible tournament shelter with 200-foot tournament docking.
The destination hosts about 10 major tournaments annually, and this past year offered a Fishing Expo at a fall tournament. Plans for 2027 include a festival-style event around a three-day tournament.
Most tournaments average 100-275 boats, and one recent competition saw 243 boats (with two anglers per boat), with 10-day average stays, totaling about $1.2 million in economic impact.
“Hardin County Tourism has invested in fishing tournaments as an economic driver for our community,” says Camila Tato, marketing manager, Explore Pickwick Lake. “We host pro events such as Major League Fishing, Bassmaster, as well as national crappie and catfish tournaments. These upper-level competitions also bring in college and high school youth tournaments.”
Knoxville, Tennessee
Located in the eastern part of the state, Knoxville is surrounded by nine lakes, which make the region a fishing paradise. In fact, Tennessee offers more than 320 species of freshwater fish, with approximately 282 considered native to the state; smallmouth bass is the official state sport fish.
Knoxville is an ideal location for fishing events of all kinds. The city hosted the Bassmaster Classic, known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” in 2019, 2023 and most recently in March 2026.
The Bill Williams Charity Fishing Tournament, also in Knoxville, is one of the oldest annual fishing tournaments in East Tennessee. Kayak enthusiasts also rely on the locale as a homebase, and in 2025 both the Kayak Anglers’ Society of Tennessee State Championship and Tennessee Kayak Anglers’ Tournament Trail River Wars launched from Knoxville.
“The Bassmaster Classic has been here three times within the past seven years, and anglers and fans alike consistently comment on how incredible Knoxville is as a host venue,” says Chad Culver, senior director, Visit Knoxville Sports Commission and Convention Sales. “Knoxville has become such a beloved location for the Classic that it hosted the first- and second-largest attendance records in the 56 years of the event.”
Adds Alyssa Sloan, senior director of marketing, Visit Knoxville, Tennessee, “Knoxville offers the perfect blend of natural resources, a variety of venues and a dedicated team at the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission. Organizers can expect a premier experience for both their anglers and attendees.”
Pierre, South Dakota
Located along the Missouri River, Pierre has two bodies of water available for fishing events: the Oahe Dam that created Lake Oahe, and Lake Sharpe along the Missouri River system.
Lake Oahe stretches for 231 miles into North Dakota, has 2,200 miles of shoreline (more than Florida), and features trophy walleye, bass, catfish, northern pike and salmon. Lake Sharpe, just below the Oahe Dam, has the look of a river system — narrower and winding through Pierre down to the Fort Thompson Dam, about 81 miles.
Pierre has become a destination for many fishing tournaments over the years, and there is a push to host more events in the area. Past competitions have included the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Oahe. Also, the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Sharpe Showdown Walleye Tournament on Lake Sharpe, with the fifth annual iteration slated for April 2027.
Other popular tournaments are the South Dakota Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament on Lake Oahe, with the 52nd annual event scheduled for this July. In April 2025, Pierre hosted the National Walleye Tour on Lake Sharpe, and in July 2025 Pierre hosted the Junior World Championships for bass fishing. Additionally, the annual Winter Fishing Weekend Tournament, held the first weekend in February, is highly attended and open to ice fishing and boat fishing.
“This year in August, we have our first Freshwater Spearfishing Tournament taking place on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe,” says Miranda Panzer, tourism director, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our goal is to get people here to experience the Missouri River. If we have a group come for a tournament, we hope that they enjoy their time and in the future come back with family and friends for a fun vacation.”
Rhea County, Tennessee
Rhea County offers world-class fishing on Lake Chickamauga and Watts Bar Lake, two of the most productive bass fisheries in the country. In Dayton, anglers have access to two exceptional tournament venues. Fish Dayton is a premier launch site and has direct access to Lake Chickamauga’s nationally recognized bass waters.
Recently, local officials partnered with the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to develop Fish Dayton North, expanding capacity for major tournaments. Just up the lake in Spring City, Piney Boat Ramp on Watts Bar Lake was recently renovated and can accommodate large tournaments with improved infrastructure and angler access.
The area hosts a wide variety of fishing competitions, including professional and semi-professional bass tournaments, team trails, college competitions, kayak series, women’s tournaments and youth fishing events. The county typically hosts 18 to 25 organized fishing tournaments each year.
“Local officials and tourism partners continue to collaborate with tournament directors to grow the fishing calendar while maintaining a high-quality angler experience,” says Alex Fine, Rhea County director of tourism. “The goal is to steadily increase the number of events while also attracting larger tournaments and multi-day competitions that generate overnight stays and economic impact for the community.”
Southern Illinois
Two Southern Illinois fishing destinations stand out as tournament magnets in Williamson County, according to Ashlee Spiller, executive director, visitSI. Lake of Egypt is a favorite for tournament circuits such as the U.S. Angler’s Choice, American Bass Trail, ICAST, Crappie USA and others, as well as for charity events.
Similarly, Crab Orchard Lake attracts major events including USA Bassin, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Steel City Bassmasters and benefit tournaments. The region supports a strong population of bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish, attracting both recreational anglers and competitive fishermen year-round.
Earlier this year, the ICAST tournament on Lake of Egypt brought in 100 high school anglers. Larger fishing weekends can attract hundreds of participants and spectators, and these events consistently contribute meaningful economic impact and drive overnight stays.
“Fishing is a year-round activity here with dozens of organized events taking place annually. Bass tournaments alone occur regularly throughout the season and community events like youth derbies are staples on the calendar,” says Spiller. “There’s strong interest in expanding both the number and diversity of events in areas like kayak fishing, collegiate competitions and multi-day tournament formats that encourage overnight stays.” SDM
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