Tennessee Bass Nation State Junior Championship is Coming to Carroll County!

March 29, 2021 – Huntington, Tenn. - The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that on May 8, 2021, the Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake will host the Tennessee Bass Nation State Junior Championship.

The tournament, which is the State Championship for juniors, is expected to bring 80 or more three-person teams from across Tennessee to Carroll County. Teams will be in town on May 7 to register for the event. Fishermen are also likely to visit during March and April to practice on the Lake.

“We are excited to be hosting the Tennessee Junior State Bass Championship,” said Brad Hurley, President of the Carroll County Chamber. “Fishing tournaments bring people to our county and, while they are here, they spend money with our local businesses.”

Carroll County has been fortunate to have been the only home for Bassmaster Junior National Championship since the Chamber hosted the first Bassmaster tournament in 2013.  The leadership of TN Bass Nation has witnessed firsthand the hospitality of the residents and businesses in Carroll County. 

“I have volunteered at the high school and junior nationals for BASS for several years now and have seen first-hand the outstanding work of Carroll County to ensure the junior nationals were top notch each year. While BASS has a great crew it takes a lot of work from the local community for events to run well. I know we can trust Carroll County to help our TN Bass Nation Junior State Championship to be the best it has ever been” said David Lowrie, TN Bass Nation High School and Youth State Director.

“Young Anglers and their families have faced a variety of challenges in the past few months, and we are thrilled to have them in Carroll County and at our premiere Thousand Acre Recreational Lake,” said Joseph Butler, Carroll County Mayor. “It seems fitting to host the Junior Championship here as Carroll County is home to the top collegiate bass fishing team in the country, our own Bethel University Bass Cats.”

Tourism is a key component of the Tennessee and Carroll County economy. Without such an outstanding venue for them to fish, these tournaments would not be happening in Carroll County.

“The Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake is a beautiful lake and provides our fishermen with exciting experience”, said Dale Kelley, Secretary/Treasurer of the Carroll County Watershed Authority (CCWSA) and Mayor of the Town of Huntingdon. “The Town of Huntingdon is excited to be hosting the weigh-in at Billy Cary Park and having parents and families in our town and county,” stated Kelley.

“The Carroll County Chamber is pleased to be a part of this tourism initiative that brings visitors and dollars to Carroll County,” said Hurley. “The economic activity generated by the tournament will impact convenience stores, hotels, eating establishments, automotive stores, etc. This tournament creates a positive impact across Carroll County.”

This will be the 8th major Fishing Tournament to be held at the Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake since it opened in 2013.

Tourist Activity in Carroll County generates tax dollars. According to the State of Tennessee, tourism generated $813,350 in Local Tax Revenue and $1,280,000 in State Tax Revenue. If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Carroll County household would pay $189.68 more in taxes.

If you would like additional information, please contact the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at 731-986-4664