Lake Hartwell out of Anderson, S.C., will host the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance Nov. 18-21.
Photo by Craig Lamb/B.A.S.S.
Feb. 17, 2026
Lake Hartwell selected to host 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. announced today that Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C., will serve as the host site for the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance which will be held November 18-21, bringing one of the organization’s most prestigious grass-roots events back to a proven championship venue.
Competition will launch from Green Pond Landing, one of the Southeast’s premier tournament facilities, as top anglers from across the country compete for a national title and the opportunity to advance to bass fishing’s highest levels.
The stakes at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship are significant. The overall champion will secure an invitation to compete on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, joining the sport’s most accomplished anglers on bass fishing’s biggest professional stage. In addition, the Top 3 finishers will qualify for the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, fulfilling lifelong dreams for grass-roots competitors chasing a berth in the sport’s most iconic event.
“Lake Hartwell has repeatedly proven itself as a world-class championship fishery, and Green Pond Landing provides an outstanding experience for our anglers and fans,” said Phillip Johnson, B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer. “The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship represents the heart and soul of our organization — the dedicated club anglers who compete at the grass-roots level with dreams of reaching the Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic. We are excited to return to Anderson and once again showcase these talented competitors on a national stage.”
Straddling the border of South Carolina and Georgia, Lake Hartwell is a 56,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Savannah River. Known for its healthy populations of both largemouth and spotted bass, Hartwell offers a diverse playing field of deep timber, rocky points, docks and expansive creek arms. The fishery has hosted numerous major Bassmaster events, including Bassmaster Classics and Elite Series tournaments, and is widely regarded for producing competitive weights and dramatic finishes.
For Anderson County and the city of Anderson, the championship represents both a celebration of grass-roots competition and a significant economic impact for the region.
“We’re very excited to be able to announce the return of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to Anderson County, Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell,” said Neil Paul, executive director of Visit Anderson. “The leadership of Anderson County continues the development of Green Pond Landing and provides us the resources to bring Championship events to our community. This marks the fourth time that the B.A.S.S. Nation has been decided in our community. The B.A.S.S. Nation represents the grass-roots competitors chasing the dream of fishing the Classic or qualifying for the Elites. We’ve enjoyed tremendous success in our community when hosting the B.A.S.S. Nation competitors, their families, sponsors, media and staff and we look forward to extending our best efforts and hospitality to the B.A.S.S. Nation and Anderson County later this year.”
The Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance features qualifiers from B.A.S.S. Nation events across the United States and internationally, showcasing the strength and depth of competition at the club level. For many anglers, the championship represents the culmination of years of dedication and the opportunity to turn lifelong dreams into reality.
Additional event details, including competition dates, daily takeoff and weigh-in times, will be announced at a later date on Bassmaster.com.
With a berth in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and three coveted spots in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour on the line, the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship promises high drama and unforgettable moments on the waters of Lake Hartwell.
Visit Anderson will host this event.
