LAKE COUNTY – Lake County has become an increasingly popular site for a growing number of fishing tournaments, derbies and contests – from fun, themed derbies for the whole family to major tournaments where professionals from all over the world compete for points, prizes, and money.

The 2009 schedule of Lake County tournaments features bass tournaments each month and promises an action-packed year of fishing for amateurs and pros alike.

Lake County is home to Clear Lake, California’s largest natural freshwater lake with 68 square miles of surface area and 100 miles of shoreline, and it is truly an angler’s paradise. Clear Lake has earned
a reputation for being home to “monster bass” – the lake record for largemouth bass is 17.52 pounds – and it is often referred to as the “Bass Capital of the West.”

The average tournament-winning weight for largemouth bass can exceed five pounds, a weight unmatched by any other lake in the nation. Clear Lake also boasts a large population of crappie, as well as huge catfish – with a record 33.25 pounds, and 20-pounders not at all uncommon.

Beyond Clear Lake, several other lakes in the area provide opportunities for a wide range of fishing experiences, including the clear waters of spring-fed Upper Blue Lake where several lakeside
campgrounds and resorts dot the shoreline; Lake Pillsbury; located in the expansive Mendocino National Forest; and for those seeking solitude, remote Indian Valley Reservoir.

Two of the most popular tournaments include:

March 14-15, Holder Ford / Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Team Tournament
Considered by some sportsmen to be the most popular event on the lake, the laid-back atmosphere draws pro and amateur teams alike for the past 22 years. A barbecue dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Entry fees are $100 per team, plus $50 for the Big Fish Option or add $50 for the Big Bag Option. The teams especially appreciate the 100 percent payback in prizes on the entry fees for the event. The host lodging facility is Skylark Shores Resort, and the teams put in at Library Park, Lakeport. (707) 263-5603, www.lakeportchamber.com.

May 15-17, 25th Annual Catfish Derby, Clearlake Oaks / Glenhaven Business Association
“The largest catfish derby west of the Mississippi” and a benefit for community projects, the 26th-annual Catfish Derby features both an Adult Derby, with a grand prize of a new boat, motor, and trailer, and a Kids Derby for those 16 years old and younger, with a grand prize of a new quad ATV. Sponsored by the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association. Held from noon Friday through noon Sunday. Early registration from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday,  for $40. Registration also will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday for $45. No registrations accepted after 11 p.m. Friday. Registration is $10 for kids. Barbecues, which are included with registration, will be held Saturday and Sunday. 12655 East Highway 20.  (888) CL DERBY, (707) 998-1006, www.clearlakeoaks.org.

The following tournaments will take place on Clear Lake or nearby lakes in Lake County in 2009. Some tournaments are for members only; please contact the organizers for registration information.

FEBRUARY

February 7, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

February 15, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

February 21, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

February 22, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

February 28-March 1, West Coast Bass, (916) 410-0749, www.westcoastbass.net

MARCH

March 5-7, Stren Series, FLW Outdoors, (270) 252-1000, www.flwoutdoors.com

March 7, National Guard College Fishing, FLW Outdoors, (270) 252-1593, www.flwoutdoors.com

March 7, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

March 14-15, Holder Ford / Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Team Tournament

March 14, Redwood Empire Bass Club, www.rebc.net

March 15, California Bass Federation - Region 3, (408) 316-6692, www.californiabass.org

March 21, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

March 22, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

March 28, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

March 29, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

APRIL

April 4-5, California Bass Federation, Triton Boats, (408) 316-6692, www.californiabass.org

April 11, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

April 11, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

April 18, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

April 19, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

April 25, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

April 25-26, El Dorado Bass, (530) 676-3173, www.westernbass.com/shared/club/eldoradobass.html

April 26, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

MAY

May 2, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

May 2, Wine Region Bass Tournament, 100% Bass, (209) 543-6260, www.100percentbass.com

May 2, Northern Region Bass Tournament, 100% Bass, (469) 398-8502, www.100percentbass.com

May 2-3, Tri-Valley Bassmasters, (925) 680-4734, www.westernbass.com/shared/club/trivalleybm.html

May 8-9, Modesto Castmasters, www.modestocastmasters.com

May 9, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

May 9, Future Pro Tour. (916)768-0938, www.futureprotour.net

May 15-17, 25th Annual Catfish Derby, Clearlake Oaks / Glenhaven Business Association

May 16-17, Bass Classics of Santa Clara Valley, (408) 353-9400, www.freewebs.com/bassclassics

May 16-17, Fresno Bass Club, www.fresnobass.org

May 17, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

May 23, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

May 23, Manteca Bassin’ Buddies, (209) 495-7078

May 30, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

May 31, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

JUNE

June 6-7, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro-Am Tournament, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

June 6, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

June 13-14, Northern Pro/AAA, WON Bass, (949) 366-0030, ext. 38, www.wonbass.com

June 20, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

June 20-21, Diablo Valley Hawg Hunter, www.westernbass.com/shared/club/diablo.html

June 21, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

June 27, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

June 28, Clear Lake Summer Series, WON Bass, (916) 967-7059, www.wonbass.com

JULY

July 11-12, Northern Region Bass Tournament, 100% Bass, (469) 398-8502, www.100percentbass.com

July 11-12, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

July 11-12, Redwood Empire Bass Club, www.rebc.net

July 11-12, Bass Tournament, CA Deaf Bassmasters, www.deafbass.org

July 18, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

July 19, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

July 26, California Bass Federation - Region 3, (408) 316-6692, www.californiabass.org

AUGUST

August 1, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

August 8, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

August 9, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

August 15, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

August 15, Clear Lake Summer Series, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

August 22-23, Bass Classics of Santa Clara Valley, (408) 353-9400, www.freewebs.com/bassclassics

August 22-23, Sacramento Valley Angling & Camping Club for the Deaf, www.svaccd.org

August 31-September 2, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

SEPTEMBER

September 5, Clear Lake Summer Series, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

September 5, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

September 17-19, Tri-States Team Championship North, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

September 19, Redwood Empire Bass Club, www.rebc.net

OCTOBER

October 10, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

October 3-4, El Dorado Bass, (530) 676-3173, www.westernbass.com/shared/club/eldoradobass.html

October 10-11, California BASS Federation Nation/Triton Boats, www.calbfn.com

October 17-18, Sonoma County Belly Boat Bass Club, www.scbbbc.com

October 21-24, National Guard Western, FLW Outdoors, (270) 252-1000, www.flwoutdoors.com

October 25, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

NOVEMBER

November 6-7, Northern Division Bass Tournament, ABA, (707) 228-6597, www.americanbass.com

November 7, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

November 8, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Semi-Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

November 14, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

November 15, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

DECEMBER

December 5, Clearlake Bassmasters, (707) 272-2868

December 5, U.S. Angler’s Choice, Pro Team, (707) 262-5852, www.usanglerschoice.net

December 12, Vineyard Region Bass Tournament, WON Bass, (209) 642-0181, www.wonbass.com

For visitor information, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743 or www.lakecounty.com.

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