The 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance is coming to Wisconsin’s Upper Mississippi River, October 22nd through 25th — and no one’s more excited than Eleva native and Bassmaster Elite pro Pat Schlapper.
Schlapper, who won the 2020 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and now fishes full-time on the Elite Series, says it’s a thrill to see the event come to his home waters near La Crosse. He’s not fishing this year, but he’ll serve as guest speaker for the tournament banquet.
Around 250 boaters and 230 nonboaters from 48 states and seven countries will compete for a $223,000 purse, with the top three earning spots in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee. The overall winner also secures a berth in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Schlapper warns that fall conditions on the Mississippi are far different from summer — the fish are fatter, hungrier, and concentrated, but hard to find. He predicts a 19-pound daily average will be needed to win and expects smallmouth bass to play a big role.
Competition runs October 22nd through 25th, with daily takeoffs at 7:20 a.m. and weigh-ins at 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Freedom Park in La Crosse. The top 40 in each division advance after two days, with final-day champions crowned Saturday.
Fans can follow full coverage at Bassmaster.com. The event is hosted by Explore La Crosse and sponsored by Mercury, Lowrance, and a lineup of top fishing brands.
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