2026 AC National Championship

THE LODGE AT PICKWICK LANDING | (731) 689-3135

• Mention you are a US Angler's Choice Member when calling. 
• Special rate for AC Teams on all rooms/cabins week of tournament!

We highly encourage anglers to book stays at Pickwick Landing State Park or in the Hardin County, TN area. They are rolling out the red carpet trying to support our tournament, so let's support them! 

• Pickwick lake will be Off Limits to competitors February 12th through February 18th.
• Practice period will begin February 19th.
• February 12th is the entry refund deadline. ($20 Fee)
• The use of lake guides are prohibited via verbal information or on the water. SEE RULE 14
• During practice only your team member, another competitor or a member of your immediate family is allowed in the boat. You may not fish other events during practice with anyone other than the listed. SEE RULE 20
• Effective October 1, 2024: Nonresidents may operate a vessel upon the waters of Alabama only after obtaining a valid boater safety certification or vessel operator's certification issued in his or her home state or country.
• Prize Packages: (3) Three BassCat Boats rigged with Mercury Motors, sponsor equipment packages, and more!

Due to recent events in tournament fishing earlier this year, it will now be mandatory for AC Championship participants to posess a valid Boater Safety Certification that is acceptable on tournament waters, valid boat owners liability insurance coverage for vessel in use (no tournament exclusion, having a minimum limit of $300,000 per occurrence), and a valid fishing license for tournament waters. All 3 will be checked for each team at registration.

This is a mandatory change taking place at all large scale bass tournaments around the nation. It will be an important step in the right direction to ensure the success and continued growth of this event for years to come.

If you haven't completed the boater safety certification last year, use the link below to complete. (You do not have to do it again if done previously! Just bring certification card with you to registration!

New for 2026: Entry will be a FLAT Fee of $350 per Team. This will include additional payouts back into the field and BASS Team Championship entry's for everyone qualified into the AC championship.

*If you paid BASS Team Membership's during 2025 when signing up for a membership, you will have a Championship entry of $330. Once all qualifiers are finalized, we will post a list of participants who have already paid BASS Team. If your team name is highlighted in red on the qualfiers list, your entry for the championship is $330.

There will be a mandatory entry registration deadline for the Championship, all entries and or registrations must be received by January 26th 2025. Last chance entry deadline February 2nd ($20 late fee). If your entry and or registration is not received by this date your position may be awarded to the next available qualifier and you will lose your opportunity to fish.

Entry forms can be printed/mailed in with a check like they traditionally have OR there will be an online entry portal through the website anticipated to go live beginning of January.

Tournament Waters, Pickwick Lake (No Locking) - Anywhere posted No Fishing or No Trespassing is off limits. Standard AC rules apply. The marina at Pickwick Landing State Park will be off limits point to point.

Fishing Licenses - An Alabama fishing license will sufficiently cover majority of the lake. IT IS reciprocal with Tennessee. If you are fishing Mississippi water, you will need a Mississippi fishing license.

5 Fish, 15", Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass Permitted

Thursday Feb 19th: Start of practice for Angler's Choice teams. Pickwick Lake is open to practice for Anglers Choice teams starting at safe light on Februray 19th.

Wednesday Feb 25th: Final day of practice, all boats must be off water by 4pm. Mandatory registration from 2pm - 4pm at the conference center inside The Lodge at Pickwick Landing. New for 2026, there will be a mandatory rules meeting following registration. Please arrive to check-in as early as possible!

Thursday Feb 26th: First day of competition. Take off will be 6am or safe light and first flight will weigh-in at 2pm. (Pickwick Landing State Park)

Friday Feb 27th: Second day of competition, Take off will be 6am or safe light and first flight will weigh-in at 2pm with award ceremony immediately after.

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

 
The 2026 US Anglers Choice National Championship will be held at Pickwick Lake, launching from Pickwick Landing State Park in Hardin County, Tennessee. This marks a new venue for the esteemed two-day event, scheduled for February 26-27, 2026. The tournament will once again provide anglers with substantial prizes, including three Bass Cat Boats powered by Mercury motors and nearly $100,000 in cash back!

Renowned for its trophy smallmouth and largemouth bass, Pickwick Lake presents an exceptional opportunity for anglers to catch a substantial quantity of fish. Regular tournaments weigh in at over 30 pounds during this period. The lake has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments in the past, and we eagerly anticipate adding our name to the list.

“Explore Pickwick TN is delighted to welcome the US Anglers Choice to Pickwick Landing State Park,” stated Beth Pippin, Hardin County Tourism Director. “Pickwick Lake in West Tennessee is part of the Bill Dance Signature Lake trial, offering world-class fishing in the confluence of three states. We welcome the anglers, staff, sponsors, and fans to showcase our side of this beautiful lake, thereby generating a substantial economic impact. For further information, please visit our website at www.explorepick-wicktn.com or follow us on Facebook at Tour Hardin County.”

Following extensive feedback from US Anglers Choice Members, we are pleased to announce the resumption of the pre-meeting, which will be held at Pickwick Landing State Park Lodge on February 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

The Lodge at Pickwick Landing State Park is offering a discounted rate to our anglers through the following link. Click Here for lodging link.

Discounts are available for rooms and cabins from February 21st to March 1st, 2026. Please contact the Lodge directly if you require dates beyond this period.

We strongly encourage any anglers making reservations to consider lodging in the Hardin County area, as they are supporting the tournament and we would like to reciprocate their support.

“We are delighted to bring US Anglers Choice to the renowned Pickwick Lake for our annual premier event,” stated Anthony Fazio, Owner of US Anglers Choice. “Randy and I believed it was imperative to secure a new venue that would challenge our anglers and provide them with the opportunity to catch a fish and bag of a lifetime. We extend our gratitude to all our sponsors who make this event possible and would welcome their presence at our opening meeting and the daily weigh-ins.”

Best regards,

Randy Miller

randy@usanglerschoice.com

Cell: 815-584-7840

Anthony Fazio

anthony@usanglerschoice.com

Cell: 815-302-3499