What the FLW College Fishing National Championship is

The FLW College Fishing National Championship is an annual tournament where college fishing teams compete for a national title, scholarships, and prize money. FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) runs the event, and it draws teams from across the United States who have may have access to through regional tournaments during the season. The championship is held on a different lake each year and typically takes place in the spring.

Teams fish in pairs — two anglers per boat — and compete over multiple days of tournament fishing. The format rewards both consistency and big catches: your total weight across all days determines your placement, though many tournaments also award bonuses for the heaviest single catch of the day. If you are on a college fishing team or thinking about joining one, the national championship is the goal most teams work toward all season.

Key Takeaways

  • College teams must fish through FLW's regular-season tournaments and may have access to events to earn a spot at the national championship.
  • The championship rotates to different lakes each year, so the fish species, water conditions, and tactics change annually.
  • Teams fish in two-person boats and compete over multiple days, with final placement based on total weight across all tournament days.
  • Prize money and scholarships go to top finishers, making the championship a significant opportunity for student anglers.
  • You can find the current year's championship location, dates, and rules on the official FLW website.

How teams may have access to for the championship

Most college teams reach the national championship by fishing FLW's regular college circuit during the season. FLW runs multiple college tournaments throughout the year — typically fall, winter, and spring events — and teams accumulate points based on their finishes. The top teams from each region or the highest-ranked teams overall earn invitations to nationals.

Some tournaments offer direct qualification: a win or top finish at a specific qualifier can punch your ticket to the championship. The exact path depends on the region you fish in and which FLW circuit your school competes on. Your team's coach or captain will know which tournaments count toward qualification and what placement you need to make the cut.

If your school does not have a fishing team yet, many colleges are adding them. Contact your school's club sports office or outdoor recreation department to learn whether a team exists and how to join, or whether you could help start one.

What to expect at the championship event

The national championship typically runs for three to four days of competition. Each day, teams launch at a set time, fish for a set number of hours (usually eight hours), and return to weigh in their catch. The fish are weighed, recorded, and released. Your team's daily weight is added to your total, and after all days are complete, the team with the highest combined weight wins.

The host lake changes each year — recent championships have been held on lakes in Tennessee, Alabama, and other states known for good fishing. This means the species you target, the depth of water, and the techniques that work best are different every year. Successful teams spend weeks before the event studying the lake, looking at maps, watching videos, and talking to local anglers to understand what will work.

The championship draws hundreds of college anglers, so the atmosphere is competitive but also social. You will see teams from schools across the country, meet other student anglers, and often find that the fishing community is generous with advice and support — even between competitors.

Preparing your team for nationals

Preparation starts long before you arrive at the championship lake. Your team should fish the regular-season tournaments seriously, treating each one as practice for nationals. Pay attention to what works — what lures, depths, times of day, and weather conditions produce fish. Keep detailed notes about your catches and the conditions when they happened.

Once the championship lake is announced, shift into research mode. Study maps of the lake on Google Earth and FLW's website. Watch YouTube videos of anglers fishing that lake. If possible, visit the lake before the championship and fish it yourself or with your team. Talk to local tackle shops — they know the lake intimately and can tell you which areas are holding fish right now, what the water temperature is, and what techniques are working.

Practice your boat handling and communication with your partner. In a tournament, one angler often fishes while the other operates the boat, and you need to work as a unit. Know who does what, practice your casting and landing technique, and make sure your equipment is in good shape. A broken rod or a reel that jams during the championship costs you fish and places.

Rules and regulations you need to know

FLW tournaments operate under strict rules designed to keep competition fair. All fish must be caught on rod and reel — no nets, traps, or other methods. You can only fish during the official tournament hours; fishing before or after those times disqualifies your catch. Most tournaments have a minimum size for fish (usually 12 inches for bass, but this varies by lake and species), and any fish under that size must be released immediately.

You must weigh in all your fish at the official weigh-in location by the deadline time. Late arrivals are penalized or disqualified. Your boat must have a working kill switch (a lanyard that cuts the engine if the driver falls overboard), a life jacket for each person, and any other safety equipment required by state law and FLW rules. Check the official tournament rules before you arrive — they are posted on the FLW website and cover everything from equipment to conduct.

Sportsmanship matters. Treat other anglers, tournament staff, and the resource with respect. Violating the rules or behaving unsportingly can result in penalties, disqualification, or being banned from future events.

Costs and what to budget

Fishing the national championship involves real expenses. Entry fees for FLW college tournaments vary but typically range from $100 to $300 per team per event. You will also need to pay for fuel, lodging near the championship lake, food, and travel. If you are flying to the event, add airfare and rental car costs.

Many college fishing teams raise money through sponsorships, school funding, or fundraising events to cover these costs. Some schools have larger budgets than others, so talk to your team about how expenses are shared and what support is available. Prize money and scholarships won at the championship can offset costs, but you should not count on that when budgeting.

If cost is a barrier to joining a team or competing, talk to your coach or team captain. Many programs work to make fishing accessible to all students, and there may be options you have not considered.

Finding information about the current championship

The official FLW website (flwfishing.com) is your source for current championship dates, location, entry information, and rules. They post the host lake and dates well in advance, usually several months before the event. The site also has a college fishing section with tournament schedules, standings, and results from past events.

If you are on a team, your coach will have the details and will coordinate registration and logistics. If you are thinking about joining a team, contact your school's club sports office or search for "[your school name] fishing team" online. Many teams have social media pages or websites where they post updates and recruit new members.

FLW also runs a YouTube channel and social media accounts where they post videos and updates about college fishing events. Following these accounts is a good way to stay informed and see what the competition looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a competitive angler to join a college fishing team?

No. Most college fishing teams welcome anglers of all skill levels. You will learn from more experienced teammates and from competing in tournaments. Many successful tournament anglers started as beginners on a college team. If you love fishing and want to compete, that is enough.

What species of fish will we be catching at nationals?

It depends on the lake. Most FLW college championships target largemouth and smallmouth bass, but some lakes also have walleye or other species. Once the championship lake is announced, research what fish live there and what the tournament rules say about which species count toward your weight.

Can I fish the national championship if my school does not have a team?

Not through the regular FLW college circuit. You must be part of a registered college team to compete. However, you can fish FLW tournaments as an individual in other divisions, or you can look for other college fishing organizations that may have different structures.

How much prize money do top teams win?

Prize purses vary by year and by how many teams compete, so there is no fixed amount. Top teams typically win thousands of dollars in prize money and scholarships combined. Check the official FLW website for the current year's prize breakdown once it is announced.

What if I have never fished a tournament before?

Start by fishing the regular-season college tournaments with your team. These teach you how tournaments work, what to expect, and what you need to do to be ready for nationals. Most teams fish several regular-season events before the championship, so you will have time to learn and improve.