MLF Releases 2023 BLF Event Dates

TULSA, Okla. (September 21, 2022) – Major League Fishing announced today the schedule, rules, payouts and entry dates for the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine, the only circuit offering weekend anglers the opportunity to advance to the prestigious All-American, Toyota Series Championship and new in 2023, REDCREST – the Bass Pro Tour Championship – for a shot at winning top boater awards of $120,000, $235,000 and $300,000, respectively, including lucrative Phoenix MLF Bonuses.

The 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be hosted by Visit Oconee South Carolina May 31-June 2 at Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each of six Regional tournaments and the Wild Card will qualify. The highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each Regional and the Wild Card at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus – Beat just five anglers from your regional and advance to a second no-entry-fee championship for a shot at one of the sport’s biggest paydays. The All-American boater champion will also advance to REDCREST 2024 for a shot at winning $300,000.

“For well over a decade, we have enjoyed and prospered from our relationship with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League, and we are looking forward to the All-American on Lake Hartwell,” said Ken Sloan, President and CEO of Visit Oconee South Carolina. “We are exceptionally excited to host this as our first major event on our new mega ramp at Seneca Creek.”

The Phoenix Bass Fishing League is the premier grassroots tournament circuit for weekend anglers, maintaining the best payouts and advancement opportunities for the lowest entry fees available in the sport.

With every tournament featuring live streaming weigh-in coverage, the Phoenix Bass Fishing League allows anglers to fish close to home – creating a clear path to the Toyota Series, the new MLF Invitationals and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour – while placing anglers in front of the sport’s largest fan base, with more than 5 million visitors on MajorLeagueFishing.com and 2.3 million followers on MLF’s social media outlets, as well as coverage in Bass Fishing magazine and in dedicated public relations outreach that generates a potential reach of 5.5 billion impressions annually across all MLF circuits.

“The Phoenix Bass Fishing League has a rich history of providing a competitive outlet for weekend bass anglers and launching professional careers, and we’re excited to continue to provide that opportunity for the lowest cost available in the sport,” said MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations Daniel Fennel. “We are finishing up an amazing 2022 season and our team has put together another fantastic schedule with more than $8.4 million on the line for Bass Fishing League anglers in 2023, including advancement to REDCREST for our All-American champion.”

The Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency award will continue for the 2023 season, enhancing payouts from $500 to $7,000 for registered Phoenix boat owners in every qualifier, super-tournament and regional tournament, an additional $20,000 in the All-American, and $35,000 in the Toyota Series Championship.

Each qualifying tournament will continue to offer a top boater award of up to $13,000, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top Strike King co-angler award of $3,000. Top awards jump up to $16,000 for boaters, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and $4,500 for Strike King co-anglers in super tournaments.

–  The Wild Card will maintain the $13,000 top boater award, including Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top co-angler award of $3,000. Enter all five events in a division, fish at least two and automatically advance to the Wild Card if you are not qualified for a Regional. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each Regional and the Wild Card advance to the All-American.

–  New in 2023, the All-American winner in the boater division advances to REDCREST 2024 to compete against the top pros in the sport for a shot at winning $300,000.

–  The highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each regional and the Wild Card at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship – anglers only need to beat five anglers from their regional to advance to a second no-entry-fee championship for a shot at one of the sport’s biggest paydays.

–  New in 2023, the Toyota Series Championship winner in the pro/boater division advances to REDCREST 2024 to compete against the top pros in the sport for a shot at winning $300,000.

–  The 2023 All-American and Toyota Series Championship will both be nationally televised on CBS Sports, offering Bass Fishing League anglers unmatched media exposure.

The complete 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League schedule, rules and payouts are online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Anglers can register for the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:

Bama Division                                   
Feb. 11                   Lake Martin, Alexander City, Ala.
Mar. 18                  Lake Mitchell, Clanton, Ala.
April 22                 Demopolis Lake, Demopolis, Ala.
June 24                  Neely Henry, Gadsden, Ala.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Alabama River, Prattville, Ala.

Buckeye Division                                              
May 13                   Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
June 24                   Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
July 15                    Indian Lake, Lakeview, Ohio
Aug. 5                    Ohio River, Maysville, Ky.
Sept. 9-10               Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio

Bulldog Division                                                                  
Feb. 18                   Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Ga.
Mar. 4                    West Point Lake, LaGrange, Ga.
April 15                 Lake Oconee, Buckhead, Ga.
May 20                  Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, Ga.
Aug. 26-27            Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Ga.

Choo Choo Division                                         
Jan. 28                    Lewis Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Feb. 25                   Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
Mar. 25                  Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
May 6                    Pickwick Lake, Florence, Ala.
Sept. 23-24            Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.

Cowboy Division                             
Jan. 7                      Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Brookeland, Texas
Feb. 4                     Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La.
Mar. 25                  Toledo Bend Reservoir, Zwolle, La.
April 22                 Lake of the Pines, Jefferson, Texas
Aug. 26-27            Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Brookeland, Texas

Gator Division                                                                       
Jan. 14                    Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.
Feb. 25                   Lake Toho, Kissimmee, Fla.
Mar. 18                  Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
April 15                 Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Sept. 16-17            St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.

Great Lakes Division                                     
April 29                  Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
May 20                   Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
June 17                   Wolf River Chain, Winneconne, Wis.
Aug. 19                   Mississippi River, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Sept. 16-17             Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.

Hoosier Division                                               
April 22                  Lake Monroe, Bloomington, Ind.
May 20                   Patoka Lake, Birdseye, Ind.
June 17                   Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
July 8                      Ohio River-Rocky Point, Cannelton, Ind.
Aug. 26-27             Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Illini Division                   
May 13                  Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, Ill.
June 10                  Rend Lake -, Sesser, Ill.
July 15                   Lake Shelbyville -, Shelbyville, Ill.
Aug. 12                  Ohio River, Paducah, Ky.
Sept. 23-24            Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Calvert City, Ky.

LBL Division                                       
Mar. 4                    Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
Mar. 25                  Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
April 15                 Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
May 6                    Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Buchanan, Tenn.

Michigan Division                          
July 8                     Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
July 22                   Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Aug. 12                  Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Aug. 26                  Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Sept. 23-24            Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.

Mississippi Division                                       
Mar. 4                    Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon, Miss.
April 1                   Pickwick Lake, Iuka, Miss.
April 29                 Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon, Miss.
May 20                  Columbus Pool, Columbus, Miss.
Sept. 9-10              Pickwick Lake, Iuka, Miss.

Mountain Division                                                             
Mar. 18                  Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 1                   Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
May 13                  Lake Cumberland, Monticello, Ky.
June 10                  Barren River, Scottsville, Ky.
Sept. 9-10              Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.

Music City Division                                         
Mar. 11                  Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 2*                 Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 29                 Center Hill Lake, Sparta, Tenn.
June 17                  Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, Tenn.
Sept. 16-17            Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, Tenn.

North Carolina Division                                                
Feb. 25                   Lake Norman, Mooresville, N.C.
Mar. 25                  High Rock Lake, Lexington, N.C.
May 6                    Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
June 24                  High Rock Lake, Lexington, N.C.
Sept. 23-24            Lake Norman, Mooresville, N.C.
                 
Northeast Division                                          
April 29                 Chesapeake Bay, Northeast, Md.
July 8                     Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
July 29                   Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Aug. 19                  Cayuga Lake, Union Springs, N.Y.
Sept. 9-10              St. Lawrence River, Massena, N.Y.

Okie Division                                     
Mar. 4                    Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
April 1                   Arkansas River , Muskogee, Okla.
April 29                 Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.
June 10                  Fort Gibson Lake, Wagoner, Okla.
Sept. 9-10              Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.

Ozark Division                                  
Feb. 25                  Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
Mar. 25                  Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.
April 15                 Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
May 6                    Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
Sept. 16-17            Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.

Piedmont Division                                          
Mar. 4                    Smith Mountain Lake, Huddleston, Va.
May 13                  Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
June 17                  High Rock Lake, Salisbury, N.C.
July 22                   James River, Henrico, Va.
Sept. 9-10              Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.

Savannah River Division                                              
Jan. 28                   Lake Keowee, Seneca, S.C.
Feb. 25                   Lake Hartwell, Lavonia, Ga.
Mar. 18                  Lake Hartwell, Seneca, S.C.
April 29                 Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.
Sept. 16-17            Lake Keowee, Seneca, S.C.

Shenandoah Division                  
Mar. 18                  Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
April 15                 Smith Mountain Lake, Huddleston, Va.
May 6                    Potomac River, Marbury, Md.
June 24                  James River, Henrico, Va.
Sept. 16-17            Potomac River, Marbury, Md.

South Carolina Division                                                                  
Feb. 11                    Lake Murray, Prosperity, S.C.
Mar. 4                     Santee Cooper, Summerton, S.C.
April 1                    Lake Hartwell, Lavonia , Ga.
May 13                   Lake Murray, Prosperity, S.C.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1       Lake Hartwell, Lavonia , Ga.

Volunteer Division                                          
Feb. 11                   Lake Chickamauga, Dayton, Tenn.
April 15                 Norris Lake, Andersonville, Tenn.
May 20                  South Holston Lake, Bristol, Tenn.
June 24                  Watts Bar, Spring City, Tenn.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Cherokee Lake, Jefferson City, Tenn.

* Sunday

2023 Regional Tournaments:
Oct. 5-7                 Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.                    
                                    Divisions: Arkie, Cowboy, Mississippi and Ozark
                                    Hosted by Eufaula Conservation and Fishing Association

Oct 5-7                  Potomac River, Marbury, Md.                                  
                                    Divisions: Buckeye, North Carolina, Northeast and Piedmont  
                                    Hosted by Charles County Board of Commissioners

Oct 12-14             Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.                                  
                                    Divisions: Bama, Illini, Michigan and Volunteer
                                    Hosted by Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce

Oct 12-14            Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.                       
                                    Divisions: Choo Choo, Gator, Music City and Savannah River
                                    Hosted by Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce

Oct 19-21            Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.                                 
                                    Divisions: Great Lakes, Hoosier, LBL and Okie
                                    Hosted by Tri-County Lodging Association

Oct 19-21            Lake Norman, Huntersville, N.C.                           
                                    Divisions: Bulldog, Mountain, Shenandoah and South Carolina
                                    Hosted by Visit Lake Norman, Visit Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation                    

Nov 10-11          Wild Card: TBA

2023 All-American:
May 31 –              Lake Hartwell, Seneca, S.C.
June 2                   Hosted by Visit Oconee South Carolina

For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, 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, the Discovery Channel, the Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, the World Fishing Network, and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with offices 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 13 countries. In 2019, MLF expanded its portfolio of catch, weigh, and immediately release events to include the sport’s strongest five-biggest-fish format tournament circuits. 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.

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