Winona to host Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament of Champions 2025

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Winona’s Levee Park will welcome more than 200 competitive fishing participants and their families for the 2025 Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament of Champions August 5-8, in Mississippi River Pools 5a, 6, 7.

Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation (MNBN) is a member the B.A.S.S. Nation, a global network of locally-organized clubs whose members participate in and support a range of activities, including tournaments, conservation initiatives and youth programs. Three competitors, who qualify through a rigorous series of local and regional tournaments and then the national championship, advance to bass fishing’s biggest stage, The Bassmaster Classic.

The statewide Tournament of Champions partners with a local nonprofit each year to support and raise funds, with the annual donation ranging from $2,000 – $4,300. Winona’s charity of choice for this year’s competition will be the Friendship Fish ‘N Float. On Friday, August 8, members of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation will lead a community service project involving youth fishing instruction:

  • Fish and Float pontoon trips will leave from the Winona Marina and last one and a half hours. The first trip will be from 8:30-10 a.m. with six youth fisherpersons (ages 5-16), two Fish and Float adult crew members, and two experienced fisherpersons from Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation. The second trip will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with six youth fisherpersons (ages 5-16), two Fish and Float adult crew members, and two experienced fisherpersons from Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation.
  • In addition, experienced Minnesota B.A.S.S. NATION fisherpersons will be at the Levee from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to teach and help youth to fish. No fishing license is necessary for youth age 16 or younger. 
  • To sign up for the pontoon trips, contact Dave Rowekamp, chair, Friendship Fish and Float Program, at rowefam@hbci.com. They can take the first 12 to sign up.
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