Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs will host the 42nd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship for the sixth time, making the city and the lake the most visited destinations in the event’s history. It will be the seventh time for the tournament to be hosted in Hot Springs. Major League Fishing announced that the three-day tournament, scheduled for May 29-31, 2025, will showcase the nation’s best grassroots weekend anglers and offer a top prize of up to $120,000 cash to the winner.
With no entry fee, the tournament will be hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The championship was previously held at Lake Hamilton in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2022, and at DeGray Lake in 2010.
“We’re thrilled to announce our return to Hot Springs and Lake Hamilton in 2025 for the biggest grassroots bass-fishing championship in the world,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF executive vice president and general manager. “We’ve held numerous major events in Hot Springs, and it’s an ideal location for us. From the fishery to our partners at Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to the incredible fan support that we always receive there – we’re so excited and can’t wait to see everyone again in 2025.”
The 2024 Phoenix BFL, presented by T-H Marine, is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers and features 128 events throughout the season and five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments, competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
“Hot Springs is pleased beyond words to bring the Phoenix BFL All-American Championship back to our city for the seventh time,” said Steve Arrison, Visit Hot Springs CEO. “The last Championship we hosted was in 2022, and we can’t wait to welcome these world-class weekend bass anglers back to Hot Springs. Our city knows how to show competitors a great time on Lake Hamilton and a great time in their off-the-lake hours, too.”
Dating back to 1983, the Phoenix Bass Fishing League, presented by T-H Marine circuit, is considered by many to be a launch pad for other premiere fishing competitions like the Toyota Series, the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and the Bass Pro Tour. Several former champions are currently competing in the Bass Pro Tour and the Tackle Warehouse Invitations, such as Shaw Grigsby (1984), Stephen Browning (1996), Jacob Wheeler (2011), Jeremy Lawyer (2016), Nick LeBrun (2018) and Connor Cunningham (2022).
“Our thanks go out to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for their assistance in bringing the All-American back to Hot Springs,” Arrison said. “The Championship will focus national attention on the unrivaled outdoor recreation we enjoy here in Hot Springs and The Natural State. We’re already starting to get ready, and we’re excited to welcome them in May 2025.”
The complete schedule and rules for the 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine season is set to be announced this fall.
Sponsors of the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League, presented by T-H Marine, include 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For more information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. Updates, photos, tournament news and more can be found on MLF5’s social media outlets on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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