PONCA CITY, OKLA. (2/3/2025) – The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today that the 2025 TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is set for July 30-31, and Aug 1 on Lake Oahe at Pierre, SD.
The 2025 JWC includes a two-person team format and three days of competition for young anglers in the 8th grade or less when they qualified. The event will launch from West Bay ramp on Lake Oahe just north of Pierre, SD.
The TBF Junior program includes anglers from every state and Canada who were in the 8th grade and under at the time they qualified through their home state’s Junior program. Only the top percentile of Junior teams from each state’s sanctioned programs are qualified and invited to attend and compete for their share of well over $12,000 in scholarships and prizes. Registration for qualified teams only will open May 30, 9am CT at www.Bassfederation.com and will close July 7.
Historically, the TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is held in conjunction with the Federation’s Annual State Leadership Conference for 2025. The Annual TBF State Leadership Conference invites 49 TBF affiliated state federations in the US and Canada to send state official(s) to attend meetings on fishing, youth and conservation items, strategic planning, educational sessions, as well as annual elections of TBF National Directors.
“Last year’s JWC event was in South Carolina so we are venturing more to the west this year and look forward to hosting TBF Junior anglers, State Leaders and their families from across North America to the 2025 TBF Junior World Championship in Pierre, SD. You are going to want to schedule a couple extra days in the area, not only is the smallmouth fishing very good, many young anglers have a chance to catch a smallmouth bass of a lifetime. But foremost, Pierre is a welcoming, family friendly place and it lays in the shadows of two famous visitor attractions, Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial monuments are both nearby.” Stated TBF Federation National President Robert Cartlidge.
All events will be held in and from Pierre, SD so it is highly recommended everyone make their lodging plans in Pierre. For those that have never been “out west” the western US states are “vast” and beautiful. Along with that an hour or more drive to get anywhere is common place for many locals.
Many of today’s top pro anglers started in the TBF Junior program. Such as Pro Jacob Wheeler fished the 2006 JWC; Pro Shane Lehew (NC) won the 2007 JWC, and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup winner Justin Atkins (MS) fished it in 2008 JWC and many more. YOU could be the next winner!
About The Bass Federation – The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and headquartered out of Ponca City, Oklahoma. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth, and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations, and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for 56 years. The federation founded the Junior program in 1994 and the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2007 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.
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