Ready to compete at the highest level in KFNW?
Throughout the season, anglers will have several chances to qualify for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic (KBC) — our top event of the year. For full qualification details, be sure to check out the KFNW Rules Standard.

What is the Kayak Bass Classic?
Held each fall, the KBC brings together the top anglers from all over the Pacific Northwest — Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and beyond — for a two-day invitational tournament. The payouts for 2025 are going to be epic..

The tournament location rotates annually between select waters in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, carefully chosen by the KFNW directors to offer a fair and exciting competition.

If you have any questions, please email marvinforte@kayakfishingnorthwest.com

KFNW Kayak Bass Classic Hall of Fame

• 2020 Champion: Lance Lindsey (OR) on Tenmile Lake, OR
• 2021 Champion: Dan Zimmerschied (ID) on CJ Strike Reservoir, ID
• 2022 Champion: Andrew Larsen (WA) on Columbia River (Lake Umatilla), WA
• 2023 Champion: Mason Meredith (OR) on Upper Willamette River, OR
• 2024 Champion: Brandon Hua (OR) on Dworshak Reservoir, ID

October 11-12, 2025 – Potholes Reservoir

The 2025 KFNW Kayak Bass Classic will be on a unique fishery. Potholes Reservoir in central Washington is a top-tier fishing destination. Featuring largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, mountain whitefish, and even steelhead. The reservoir’s distinctive landscape, shaped by ancient glacial floods, is dotted with countless micro-islands and boggy areas, thick with willow trees and cattails. These features create perfect habitats for fish and offer a picturesque setting for anglers to enjoy. In the fall, the islands will play less of a factor due to drawn down water levels but the fish remain!

Anglers qualified for the 2025 KBC:

1. Cruz, Ivan (Otis Orchards, WA) — TE1
2. Eschliman, William (Roseburg, OR) — TE1
3. Hua, Brandon (Hillsboro, OR) — 2024 KBC Champion, TE1
4. Jarvis, Jakob (Yamhill, OR) — TE1
5. Obrien, Elijah (Brownsville, OR) — TE1
6. Osojnicki, Tj (Boise, ID) — TE1
7. Potts, Trey (Waitsburg, WA) — TE1
8. Sherrill (Eric Salem, OR) — TE1

Qualified anglers by home state:

• Washington: 2
• Idaho: 1
• Oregon: 5

2025 KFNW Kayak Bass Classic

October 11-12 | Potholes Reservoir, WA

Tournament Schedule

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

• TBA

Registration Deadline

• Friday, October 3, 2025 – Registration Deadline
• Late registration is available on a limited basis, and is first-come, first-served. There is a $10 service fee for late registration.

Friday – October 10, 2025

• 5:00 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | Location TBA
• 9:00 PM – Identifier Code Released for Saturday, 10/11/2025

Saturday – October 11, 2025

• 5:45 AM to 6:15 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie
  • Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
• 6:10 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
• 6:15 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
• 6:45 AM – Lines In
• 7:10 AM – Sunrise
• 1:15:00 PM – Lines Out
• 2:15:00 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water
  • Cell Service on Water: Spotty
  • Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.

Sunday – October 12, 2025

• 5:45 AM to 6:15 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie
  • Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
• 6:10 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
• 6:15 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
• 6:45 AM – Lines In
• 7:10 AM – Sunrise
• 1:15:00 PM – Lines Out
• 2:15:00 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water
  • Cell Service on Water: Spotty
  • Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.
• 3:15 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | Location TBA
  Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

Thursday, October 10, 2025

5:00 PM – Pre-Event Briefing – Location TBA

9:00 PM – Identifier Code Released for Saturday, 10/11/2025

Saturday, October 11, 2025

5:45-6:00 AM – Virtual Check-In

• Service is unlikely, so all anglers MUST take a selfie photo shortly before launching and save it to their phone, with GPS settings. Winners’ launch photos will be checked. Failure to provide a selfie taken before launch may lead to disqualification from the event.

6:00 AM – Launch – Paddles

6:05 AM – Launch – Pedals

6:10 AM – Launch – Motors

6:30 AM – Lines In

6:59 AM – Sunrise

2:30:00 PM – Lines Out

3:00 PM – Off the Water

3:30 PM – Upload Deadline

6:00 PM – Identifier Code Released for Sunday, 10/13/2024

Pre-Event Briefing

Pre-Event Briefing Location

• Location TBA

Pre-Event Briefing Details

• Before the Pre-Event Briefing, a video will be published to go over specific details for this Tour Event. Certain rules may be discussed, but we will not review all the rules. It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and know all rules as published in the Rules Standard.
• A signed hard copy of the Liability Release is required by all competitors for each Event. You can download the Liability Release in advance and bring the completed form (download below).
• Electric Motor Inspection form is required for all competitors with a motor for the season or whenever a motor is added or equipment changed (download below). Once the form is completed, KFNW staff will determine if an inspection is necessary.
• Certified bump board is required and board check will be performed. Boards should be clean and dry.
• Competitors will have the opportunity to ask any questions before the meeting is adjourned.
• Attendance at the Pre-Event Briefing is mandatory. If you can’t attend the meeting due to work or an unavoidable obligation, another angler can bring your Liability Release and bump board on your behalf. This solely the responsibility of the two competitors and no exceptions will be given.

Downloads

• Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (Adult)
• Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (Minor and Adult)
• Electric Motor Inspection

Location Details TBA

Washington Regulations and Links

• A Washington fishing license is required (temporary or annual) – Visit WDFW
• Motorized watercraft registered in another country, or state (except Oregon or Idaho) must purchase an aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention permit before placing or operating the watercraft in any water body in the state – Visit WDFW

Eligible Water Boundaries

• Main body of lake
• Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
• Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds
• Portaging is not permitted
• Only public waters are allowed

Designated Launch Locations

• Designated Launches TBA

Awards Location

• Location TBA

Safety Notes

• An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.

KFNW Membership

• KFNW Membership is required to participate in this event. You can register at https://kayakfishingnorthwest.com/product/2025-kfnw-member-registration/

Tournament Director

Links