Feb. 21, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After confirming a tournament scheduling conflict with the Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Pickwick Lake Oct. 2-4, B.A.S.S. tournament officials have announced the event will relocate to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala. Tournament dates will remain the same.

The Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Wheeler Lake will be hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism.

“Moving a tournament is never easy,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “Ultimately, we needed to keep our anglers in mind as well as anglers who are planning on fishing the other events. We are thankful for our friends in Tennessee and Pickwick Landing State Park for understanding as well as Decatur Morgan County Tourism committing to host the second stop of the EQs.  Wheeler fishes great in October. It will be exciting to see the EQs start to take shape at this second stop.”

The first EQ event is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The series will then head to Wheeler Lake Oct. 2-4 before heading to the third and final EQ stop of the season Nov. 13-15 at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla.

In addition to the 100 anglers qualifying from both divisions of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, all current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will be eligible to compete in the Elite Qualifiers, as well as the second- and third-place finishers from the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

B.A.S.S. remains committed to the “win and you’re in” concept for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. Anglers who fish every event in a division of the Opens will receive a berth to the Classic if they win an event. The same applies to the three-event EQ series, taking the total to 11 berths to the Classic, which is an increase of two berths from years past.

Also new for 2025, the number of anglers who will qualify for the Elite Series has been increased to 10 (nine qualified in each of the past two years). Additionally, the EQ series rules will mirror those of the Elite Series, meaning the “no-info rule” is currently in effect and soliciting information for these bodies of waters is now prohibited.

EQ entry fees will be $3,500 per event. For full details please visit Bassmaster.com.

2025 Elite Qualifiers

Sept. 18-20, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Oct 2-4, Wheeler Lake, Decatur, Ala.

Nov. 13-15, Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.