Classic Bass Champions Tour Announces Hayward, Wisconsin's Lac Courte Oreilles as Host of the 2026 Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM

The Classic Bass Champions Tour, presented by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha, is proud to announce that the 2026 Champions Tour Championship will be held on famed Lac Courte Oreilles in the Hayward Lakes Area of northwest Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 18th.

Spanning more than 5,000 acres, Lac Courte Oreilles is widely regarded as one of Hayward, Wisconsin's premier fisheries. Known for its abundant smallmouth bass population and healthy largemouth bass fishery, the lake is expected to provide a dynamic and exciting challenge for the 25 anglers who qualify for the season-ending Championship.

As has been tradition for more than a decade, the winner of the no-entry-fee Championship will take home a fully rigged Skeeter ZX200 powered by a Yamaha SHO. In addition to cash payouts, long-time Champions Tour partners Humminbird and Minn Kota will once again contribute premium prizes, including Xplore units, MEGA Live 2 systems, trolling motors, and more.

The 2026 Championship marks the Champions Tour's first event held entirely within inland Wisconsin. While the organization has previously visited border fisheries such as the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, this will be the Tour's first venture into the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods.

The Champions Tour will partner with the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau to host the event.

"Up to this point, we have been known as a trophy musky area," said Mindy Simons, Executive Director of the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau. "Being we are up north, there's plenty of people coming to fish walleyes, and families come up to focus on panfishing as well.

"However, our largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has exploded over the past several seasons, and we want to promote that."

Since taking ownership of the Champions Tour in 2025, Dane Vocelka has emphasized showcasing premier fisheries throughout the Upper Midwest while introducing anglers and fans to destinations that have received less tournament exposure.

While visiting trophy fisheries remains a cornerstone of the Tour, Vocelka has also prioritized expanding into new venues that offer a level playing field and challenge anglers to adapt quickly. The Championship format, which narrows the field to just 25 boats, provides an ideal opportunity to introduce competitors to new waters while highlighting the quality of emerging bass destinations.

"I want to see our group of anglers show how incredible these bodies of water are in a respectful manner through our Catch, Weigh, Release format," Vocelka said.

For the Champions Tour, Hayward represents an exciting opportunity to connect with a new audience in a region rich with fishing history. Located just a few hours from the Twin Cities, the Hayward area has long been recognized as one of the Midwest's premier fishing destinations and is home to one of the sport's most iconic attractions.

"We are honored to be the home of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. It's one of our most visited destinations each year," Simons added.

The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame has been a cornerstone of the Hayward community for more than 60 years and remains one of the most celebrated fishing museums in North America, showcasing the history, innovations, and legends that have shaped the sport.

"Having the Tourism Bureau as excited to have us there is another cherry on top," Vocelka said. "Having a community that wants to be involved is a great recipe for a successful event."

The 2026 Classic Bass Champions Tour Championship will take place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on Lac Courte Oreilles. Fans can follow all of the action through the Champions Tour social media channels and the Reel LiveWell App.

Championship festivities will begin the evening prior with a banquet for all qualifiers and their families at Summit Lake Grille. The Champions Tour looks forward to celebrating the season alongside a community that embodies the passion, tradition, and heritage of freshwater fishing.