High school anglers statewide prepare for bass tourney

9:10 a.m.


High school anglers statewide prepare for bass tourney

The high bass fishing tourney has become a popular high school sports competition. (NHFG photo)

CONCORD, N.H. - Students from around New Hampshire will soon be competing for top honors in a high school bass fishing tournament. A qualifying tournament with 41 registered schools will take place on Sept. 21, out of Lee's Mills on Lake Winnipesaukee. The top third of the schools from the qualifying round will move on to the state finals on Sept. 30 on Pawtuckaway Lake.
At the final tournament, a State Champion will be honored and individual medals will be awarded for the largest total catch (eight fish maximum) and for the largest largemouth and smallmouth bass caught.
Since the student bass tournament started in New Hampshire in 2013, it has become a popular high school sports competition. Held in the fall of each year, the events are conducted by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA), with assistance from the N.H. Fish and Game Department and N.H. B.A.S.S. Nation.
The tournament includes a strong educational component. Teams have adult mentors who guide them through learning about New Hampshire's aquatic resources and the responsibility that goes along with being anglers. As a part of this process, N.H. Fish and Game recently conducted a High School Bass Fishing Education Seminar for participants.
"It is exciting to see how enthusiastic the students are about fishing. I hope that fishing becomes a lifelong activity for many of them," said Kyle Glencross, who coordinates the Fish and Game Department's Let's Go Fishing Program. Glencross serves on the NHIAA Bass Fishing Committee and provides logistical and volunteer support for the event.
Additional information about the tournament can be found on the NHIAA website at nhiaa.org.