One bass fisherman will emerge from the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket Tournament presented by Bass Pro Shops at Milford Lake to advance to the prestigious Bassmaster Classic championships.

The top four finishing teams from the College Series National Championship in July will advance to the tournament August 14-16 at Milford Lake. Those eight fishermen will then fish for one berth in the national Bassmaster Classic.

The Youth Director for Kansas Bass Nation, Richard Heflin, explained the tournament at Milford Reservoir could be a big draw. “I would guess for that bracket series event you could draw a couple of thousand spectators pretty easy.”

The Director of the Geary County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Michelle Stimatze,said local officials have been working on this project for about a year. “We’re really, really excited about what’s coming to our community.” Stimatze noted the benefits for the local community from this event. “It’s an economic impact for our community. people will stay overnight. They’ll buy gasoline, food and other things.”

Stimatze explained officials want to have a trade show at Acorn’s Resort during the tournament and those attending the event can watch a live stream of the tournament at that site. In addition a stage where the weigh-in’s will be conducted will be set up in the State Park.

Stimatze stated, “Very, very excited. I love hosting these type of things.”

In addition on April 8, Milford Lake will be the site of the first ever BASS College State Championship. College anglers will be able to qualify for the College National Championship by winning the state title or by fishing and placing in a 2018 Carhartt BASSMASTER College Series Event. The winner there advances to the National Championship at Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. From there the top four teams, or eight anglers, will come to Milford Lake to compete August 14-16.