BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 2, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the 2025 schedules and rules for the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI and the Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse seasons. Both circuits offer prizes, scholarships and advancement opportunities to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship for qualified teams, and for college anglers, a shot to compete against the world’s best pros for a $300,000 top prize at REDCREST 2026.

“This is always one of the most exciting days of the year for MLF – when we get to roll out our College Fishing and High School Fishing schedules for the coming year,” said Kevin Hunt, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations for College and High School Fishing. “Our 2025 schedule is one of the best we’ve ever offered and we’re really looking forward to making a return to some great, historical fisheries next season. Kentucky-Barkley Lakes, for example: After a successful Tackle Warehouse Invitational event there this year, we’re extremely excited to bring our college and high school fishing teams back to our ‘home’ waters in Kentucky next March.

“These tournaments provide excellent platforms for high school and collegiate anglers to demonstrate their skills and passion for the sport and showcase their talent on a national stage. We’re anticipating a memorable, diverse season and can’t wait to see what our young anglers can do on these fisheries.”

The 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing schedule consists of six qualifying tournaments around the country, culminating in the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship Presented by Lowrance on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama.  The top 15% of teams from each event will advance to the 2026 College Fishing National Championship.

The 2025 MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing circuit will feature teams competing in five Opens, held in conjunction with Abu Garcia College Fishing events to allow students and parents to network with prospective college representatives during the event. Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens are two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12, and open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF)-affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10% of teams in each tournament advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

Starting in 2025, all boats across all MLF circuits will be limited to the use of two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers in any combination. Additionally, no bow-mounted screen may extend vertically more than 18 inches off the surface of the front deck at its highest point when the boat is on plane, and no screen mounted at the console may extend vertically more than 25 inches off the surface of the driver’s seat.

To create a more level playing field for up-and-coming student anglers and reinforce the learning of traditional bass-fishing techniques, use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar will not be allowed in Abu Garcia High School Fishing competition. Its use will not, however, be restricted during practice.

2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Schedule:

Feb. 14                   Lake Seminole                                                                    Bainbridge, Ga.
March 7                Grand Lake                                                                          Grove, Okla.
March 28              Kentucky-Barkley Lake                                                      Gilbertsville, Ky.
April 9-11              NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Wheeler Lake               Decatur, Ala.
Sept. 14                  Potomac River                                                                     Marbury, Md.
Sept. 19                  Lake of the Ozarks                                                              Osage Beach, Mo.
Oct. 24                   Lake Hartwell                                                                      Anderson, S.C.

2025 MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens Presented by Tackle Warehouse Schedule:

Feb. 15                 Lake Seminole                                                                      Bainbridge, Ga.
March 8               Grand Lake                                                                            Grove, Okla.
March 29             Kentucky-Barkley Lake                                                         Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 25-28           NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Grand Lake                    Grove, Okla.
Sept. 20                Lake of the Ozarks                                                                Osage Beach, Mo.
Oct.  25                Lake Hartwell                                                                        Anderson, S.C.

For complete rules and details for the 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI circuit, click here. For complete rules and details for the 2025 Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse circuit, click here.

Entries for both circuits will be accepted starting December 9. Students can enter online at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000.

For regular College and High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube .

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.