The anticipation is building up as professional anglers prepare to return to Lake St. Clair for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series, a highly anticipated event that promises to bring together more than 100 competitors and thousands of spectators to the waterfront park in Chesterfield Township. The event, which is expected to attract a large number of visitors, will coincide with the Cheers to Chesterfield festival, which will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including live music, food trucks, and beer service. The festival will take place in Brandenburg Park, which will be transformed into a lively event space with the aim of creating an enjoyable experience for both the spectators and the anglers. “While they’re out on the lake and into the evening, Brandenburg Park will be filled with music, live animals, food trucks, evening concerts and beer service. Friday features an adult cornhole tournament and hopefully a fireworks display. Saturday, kids will have their chance at fishing fun with a pier fishing tournament,” said Michele Vannerson, Parks and Recreation Director at a July 22 township board meeting. The Bassmaster Elite Series, which was founded in 2006, is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. The event brings together the best anglers in the country, who compete all season for the opportunity to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. To qualify for the series, anglers must go through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens or the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation, and those who are already on the Elite Series must requalify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season. Lake St. Clair, which covers an area of 430 square miles, is a relatively small and shallow lake with an average depth of 11 feet. It is located in the U.S. and Canada, and anglers can fish in various parts of the lake, including Anchor Bay, as well as in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. The 2023 event on Lake St. Clair was a huge success, with nearly 13,000 visitors attending the tournament. The event also saw increased sales at local restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. In 2023, the winning angler, Joey Cifuentes III, from Clinton, Arkansas, caught a four-day total of 91 pounds, 8 ounces, which made him the champion of the event. The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series will be a thrilling event, with professional anglers competing in the tournament for the chance to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. Here is a detailed schedule of the event:
| Day | Event Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Aug. 7 | 7 a.m.: Bassmaster Elite Series tournament takeoff | Anglers will launch onto Lake St. Clair for the four-day tournament. |
| Thursday, Aug. 7 | 3 p.m.: Bassmaster weigh-in | Anglers will weigh in their catch after each day’s fishing. |
| Thursday, Aug. 7 | 3 p.m.: Vendor booths, food trucks and bounce houses | Spectators can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, as well as bounce houses and other activities. |
| Thursday, Aug. 7 | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Live music from The Gobies | Live music will be performed by The Gobies in the evening. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 7 a.m.: Bassmaster Elite Series tournament takeoff | Anglers will launch onto Lake St. Clair for the second day of the tournament. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | Noon: Raising Reptiles, AJ Lynn Music, Bubbles R Fun | Live music and entertainment will be available for spectators. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | Noon: Vendor booths, food trucks and beer service | Spectators can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, as well as browse the vendor booths. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 3 p.m.: Bassmaster weigh-in | Anglers will weigh in their catch after each day’s fishing. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 5 p.m.: Klutch cornhole tournament | Competitors will compete in a cornhole tournament. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Live music from Interstate 90’s | Live music will be performed by Interstate 90’s in the evening. |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 10 p.m.: Fireworks | Fireworks will be displayed in the evening. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | 7 a.m.: Bassmaster Elite Series tournament takeoff | Anglers will launch onto Lake St. Clair for the third day of the tournament. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | Noon: Kids fishing tournament | Kids will have the opportunity to participate in a pier fishing tournament. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | Noon: Vendor booths, food trucks and beer service | Spectators can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, as well as browse the vendor booths. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | Noon: Petting zoo and AJ Lynn Music | A petting zoo will be available for kids, and live music will be performed by AJ Lynn Music. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | 3 p.m.: Bassmaster weigh-in | Anglers will weigh in their catch after each day’s fishing. |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Live music from Joey B | Live music will be performed by Joey B in the evening. |
| Sunday, Aug. 10 | 7 a.m.: Bassmaster Elite Series tournament takeoff | Anglers will launch onto Lake St. Clair for the final day of the tournament. |
| Sunday, Aug. 10 | Noon: Vendor booths, food trucks and beer service | Spectators can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, as well as browse the vendor booths. |
| Sunday, Aug. 10 | Noon: Face painting, bubbles, character visits, music and crafts | Face painting, bubbles, character visits, and other activities will be available for kids. |
| Sunday, Aug. 10 | 3 p.m.: Bassmaster weigh-in | Anglers will weigh in their catch after each day’s fishing. |
As the event approaches, excitement is building among the community, and preparations are underway to ensure a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series is expected to bring together some of the best anglers in the country, who will compete for the chance to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. The event will also feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including live music, food trucks, and beer service. The festival will take place in Brandenburg Park, which will be transformed into a lively event space with the aim of creating an enjoyable experience for both the spectators and the anglers. Some of the highlights of the event include:
- Live music performances by The Gobies, Interstate 90’s, and Joey B
- Fireworks display on Friday evening
- Kids fishing tournament on Saturday
- Petting zoo and face painting for kids on Sunday
The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series will be a thrilling event, with professional anglers competing in the tournament for the chance to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. Lake St. Clair, which covers an area of 430 square miles, is a relatively small and shallow lake with an average depth of 11 feet. It is located in the U.S. and Canada, and anglers can fish in various parts of the lake, including Anchor Bay, as well as in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. The 2023 event on Lake St. Clair was a huge success, with nearly 13,000 visitors attending the tournament. The event also saw increased sales at local restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. In 2023, the winning angler, Joey Cifuentes III, from Clinton, Arkansas, caught a four-day total of 91 pounds, 8 ounces, which made him the champion of the event. The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series will be a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy some exciting fishing and entertainment. With its diverse range of activities, including live music, food trucks, and beer service, the event is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.
