| MACOMB COUNTRY, Mich. — Southeast Michigan will be reeling in an economic windfall when the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship rolls into Lake St. Clair Sept. 28-Oct. 1, bringing professional anglers, fans and national media coverage. “Macomb County is excited to welcome the Bassmaster Angler of the Year tournament —and its $1 million prize purse — to Lake St. Clair,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “This event will have a huge economic impact for our county. We are thankful to our partners with B.A.S.S. and hope tournament participants enjoy Lake St. Clair, the best bass fishing lake on the planet.” It will mark the seventh time B.A.S.S. has brought a major event to St. Clair since 1994, and the last three — in 2014, 2015 and 2017 — were all won with better than 20-pound daily averages. An Elite Series tournament has already been announced for 2020.According to data and estimates gathered from previous Bassmaster Elite event host cities, a typical Elite Series tournament drives in excess of $1.1 million in direct economic impact during the week of the tournament. Coupled with long-term coverage of events across media outlets ranging from ESPN2, ESPN Classic and The Pursuit Channel to local outdoor columns, and Elite Series destinations see an average of $17.9 million in tourism revenue over two years. A separate study by the nonprofit Michigan United Conservation Clubs found that in a typical year, some 1.1 million anglers contribute $2.3 billion to Michigan’s economy through purchases of gear and clothing, booking hotel rooms, buying meals and more. This year, Elite Series events have drawn an average of 12,200 fans, who come to enjoy a variety of free, family friendly activities surrounding the tournament. From watching the first boats take off at 7:10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 29 from Lake St. Clair Metropark, and the final weigh-in on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., to participating in the family-friendly Bass, Brews & BBQ Festival and Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo, all activities are free and open to the public. As part of B.A.S.S.’s “Year of the Fan” festivities, Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day. Fishing enthusiasts can meet Elite pros for photos and autographs as well as learn tips and techniques during Bassmaster Academy. Additionally, the festival and expo include kids’ activities, local vendors, demo boat rides and a Sunday show from local musician Josh Ross as part of the Mercury Concert Series.Volunteers will spread throughout Lake St. Clair Metropark on Sunday to pick up trash from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. as part of the B.A.S.S. Nation Clean-Up Challenge.About B.A.S.S. B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic. |
