The KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) Board of Control conducted its second regularly scheduled meeting of the 2024-25 academic year on Thursday in Lexington, approving a four-year site rotation for the Operation UNITE Bass Fishing State Championships presented by UK HealthCare.

The Bass Fishing State Championships will debut at Lake Cumberland in Russell County in 2025 and 2027 and return to Kentucky Lake in Marshall County - where the event has been held for more than a decade since its inception - in 2026 and 2028.

"We have been blessed with tremendous growth since the bass fishing tournament first began in 2013," said Commissioner Julian Tackett. "The fact that multiple entities are interested in hosting this championship is a testament to the great work of our schools, student-athletes and coaches, as well as our long-time partners at Major League Fishing. We are excited to see that growth continue in the coming years."

 "After many months of efforts and travels to KHSAA, today was the final board meeting where we presented to KHSAA before the decision was made. We are beyond excited to host the KHSAA fishing tournament at Lake Cumberland in 2025 and 2027. For these high school anglers, it’s not just a competition - it’s a chance to explore new waters, challenge themselves, and grow as athletes. Being able to fish in a new environment like Lake Cumberland helps them gain valuable experience while building confidence for future tournaments. We’re thrilled to offer them this opportunity in such a beautiful setting, and it’s a big win for both our local community and the anglers. We can't wait to see what they achieve here in Russell County."  said Director of Tourism, Danielle Wilson