Wolf and Fox rivers host the final test of the 2026 Kayak Series season
APPLETON, Wis. — For the final event of the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft regular season, anglers will tackle the extensive Wolf and Fox Rivers around Appleton, Wis., where both smallmouth and largemouth have a chance to shine.
Tournament days are slated for Aug. 22-23. This is a catch-photo-release event, and competitors may launch from any approved public launch. Legal waters include Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne and Little Lake Butte des Morts.
This is the final opportunity to earn Pro-Guide Batteries Angler of the Year points and qualify for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft at Lake Murray Oct. 14-16.
This connected system of lakes and rivers has been showcased in B.A.S.S. events before, most recently in 2023, when the B.A.S.S. Nation visited Lake Winnebago. Though Lake Winnebago is off limits for the Kayak Series event, many Nation anglers in that Winnebago tournament ran to the rivers and found success. Top anglers averaged 11 to 14 pounds per day.
The system has milfoil, eelgrass and duckweed as well as docks. There will be plenty of opportunities to flip, frog and throw moving baits such as a bladed jig and a swim jig around those grassy areas for largemouth.
Rock, current breaks with wood, cut banks and even docks will be key features for smallmouth fishing.
Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting the event.
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Pro-Guide Batteries
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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.
