2026 KFNW Kayak Bass Classic

October 3-4 | Lake Bonneville (Columbia River), Hood River, OR

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Lake Bonneville (also known as the Bonneville Pool) is the lowermost impoundment on the Columbia River, formed by Bonneville Dam and extending upstream to The Dalles Dam through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Held between the two dams, the pool behaves much like a lake, though current here can run swift, especially through the Gorge — a real adjustment for anglers more accustomed to still water.

The pool has built a nationwide reputation as a premium smallmouth bass fishery, and it’s almost exclusively a smallmouth game in this section of the river. Smallmouth relate heavily to the rock (riprap banks, basalt ledges, boulder fields, and rocky points) that lines much of the Gorge on both the Oregon and Washington sides. Largemouth bass are present but rare here, occasionally turning up in the calmer backwaters and sloughs off the main channel.

Beyond bass, the pool holds walleye, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish, resident white sturgeon (landlocked above Bonneville Dam), and salmon and steelhead passing through on their upstream migrations, along with a run of American shad.

Boundaries for this event stretch from The Dalles Bridge (upstream) to the Bridge of the Gods (downstream), covering approximately [X] acres of water and [X] miles of shoreline.

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Qualified Anglers

Throughout the KFNW season, there will be several opportunities to qualify for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic (KBC). To learn more about qualifications, please visit the KFNW Rules Standard.

What is the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic? The Kayak Bass Classic (KBC) is an event that occurs every fall, where the top-ranked anglers from all KFNW Tour Events are invited to compete.The KBC is a two-day tournament on a body of water that will be chosen by KFNW directors. The location generally rotates between locations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Starting in 2026, the top 10% of each KFNW Tour Event qualify for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic.

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, Oregon
• 2021 Champion: Dan Zimmerschied (ID) on CJ Strike Reservoir, Idaho
• 2022 Champion: Andrew Larsen (WA) on Columbia River (Lake Umatilla), Washington
• 2023 Champion: Mason Meredith (OR) on Upper Willamette River, Oregon
• 2024 Champion: Brandon Hua (OR) on Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
• 2025 Champion: Dan Walker (WA) on Potholes Reservoir, Washington

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Anglers qualified for the 2026 KBC:

1. Kevin Amaral (Seattle, WA)
2. Jordan Dugger (Ephrata, WA)
3. Hayden Dowson (Osoyoos, BC)
4. Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR)
5. Andrew Larson (Donald, OR)
6. Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA)
7. Kyle Mallett (Moscow, ID)
8. Jason McClure (Eugene, OR)
9. Michael Mumford (Nampa, ID)
10. Brian Oles (Kennewick, WA)
11. Will Raymond (Bellingham, WA)
12. JR Rowlands (Winlock, WA)
13. Dan Walker (Seattle, WA)
14. Chris Williams (Olympia, WA)

Qualified anglers by home state

• Washington: 7
• Oregon: 3
• Idaho: 2
• British Columbia: 1

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How They Qualified:

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Tournament Schedule

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

• Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM through Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Registration Deadline

• Friday, September 25, 2026 – 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.

Official Practice Period

• Saturday, September 26, 2026 through Friday, October 2, 2026
• 6:30 AM – Practice Launch / Lines In
• 2:30 PM – Practice Lines Out / Off the Water

Friday – October 2, 2026

• 5:00 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | TBA
• 10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released

Saturday – October 3, 2026

• 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
• 7:07 AM – Sunrise
• 2:45:00 PM – Lines Out
• 3:45 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 4, 2026

• 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
• 7:08 AM – Sunrise
• 1:45:00 PM – Lines Out
• 2:45 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.
• 3:45 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | TBA
  Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

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Pre-Event Briefing

Pre-Event Briefing 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 any competitor with a DIY or non-standard motor setup. If you have a non-standard setup, contact the Tournament Director to see 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

Eligible Water Boundaries

• Dalles Bridges (upstream).
• Bridge of the Gods (downstream)
• 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

• Google Maps Link >
• TBA
• No other launches are allowed

Awards 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/

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Tournament Director

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Links

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Tourism and Lodging

Camping and RV Parks

Please check availability and make sure they will be open during the event.

Hotels, Motels and Inns