July 1, 2020 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the premiere of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour on the Discovery Channel, debuting Saturday, July 4, 7 to 9 a.m. ET and PT.

This competitive bass fishing circuit brings together 80 of the most accomplished professional anglers including Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, and Ott DeFoe, currently ranked the top three anglers in the world by industry media outlet, BassFan, alongside Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, and reigning 2019 Bass Pro Tour Points Champion Edwin Evers.

“Major League Fishing is overwhelmingly the number one rated show or series in the fishing category across all networks, and the 2020 Bass Pro Tour on Discovery Channel is a critical piece of that schedule,” said Jim Wilburn, Major League Fishing President and CEO. “In 2019 MLF was the highest rated series to ever air in the Discovery outdoor block. We look forward to bringing new fans to the sport with our return to Discovery Channel on July 4^th.”

Fans can follow the 2020 Bass Pro Tour season every Saturday morning from 7 to 9 a.m. ET/PT through October 4, 2020. The 15-week, 14-episode show schedule is as follows:

Air Date	2020 Bass Pro Tour Season Episode Listing
July 4	B&W Hitches Stage One presented by Power-Pole on Lake Eufaula, Ala. – Knockout Round
July 11	B&W Hitches Stage One presented by Power-Pole on Lake Eufaula (Ala.) – Championship Round
July 18	Favorite Fishing Stage Two presented by Bass Cat on Lake Okeechobee (Fla.) – Knockout Round
July 25	Favorite Fishing Stage Two presented by Bass Cat on Lake Okeechobee (Fla.) – Championship Round
August 1	General Tire Stage Three presented by TrueTimber on Lake Fork (Texas) – Knockout Round
August 8	General Tire Stage Three presented by TrueTimber on Lake Fork (Texas) – Championship Round
August 15	–       No MLF episode due to Shark Week –
August 22	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Qualifying Round Group A, Day One
August 29	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Qualifying Round Group B, Day One
September 5	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Qualifying Round Group A, Day Two
September 12	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Qualifying Round Group B, Day Two
September 19	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Knockout Round
September 26	Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on Kissimmee Chain (Fla.) – Championship Round
October 3	Stage Five presented by Covercraft hosted by Sturgeon Bay (Wisc.) – Knockout Round
October 4 (Sunday)	Stage Five presented by Covercraft hosted by Sturgeon Bay (Wisc.) – Championship Round

About the 2020 Bass Pro Tour
Following a mid-season interruption to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the 2020 Bass Pro Tour includes five Stages. Each stage features six days of competition: four days of Qualifying Rounds featuring the full field of 80; a one-day Knockout Round, culminating into the final 10 competing in the Championship Round. To meet preexisting production timelines, MLF on Discovery Channel brings fans the drama of the Knockout and Championship Rounds from Stages One, Two, Three, and Five, and all six days of the Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo.
Using SCORETRACKER®, fans and anglers alike keep track of the changing field as each fish shifts the standings in real time until time runs out at the end of Period Three. Each episode culminates into the Championship Round of Stage Five. Standings after Stage Five determine the 2020 Season Points Champion as well as qualifiers for the 2021 Heavy Hitters, and the Bass Pro Tour Championship: REDCREST, scheduled for February 21-29, 2021 in Tulsa, Okla.