September 6, 2023 - Bassmaster Magazine says ‘The Bend is Back!’. Toledo Bend, the #1 Bass Fishing Lake in the Nation as designated by Bassmaster Magazine for two years in a row, recently earned its ranking in the Top 10 Best Bass Lakes List again after the success of the Bassmaster Open Series Tournament last April.
The tournament winner, Ben Milliken, caught 77 pounds, 14 ounces over the course of three days, which was the third largest total in a three-day Open in B.A.S.S. history. A total of 5,053 pounds was caught over the course of the three-day tournament, one of the highest totals in recent memory, trailing our own record of 6,275 pounds over three days back in 2022. Because of this hammering reminder that Toledo Bend is one of the biggest, most productive bass lakes in the country, the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, along with Sabine River Authority, Desoto Parish Tourism Commission and Louisiana Office of Tourism, are excited to announce that the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament will be back on Toledo Bend Lake in February 2024!
According to Bassmaster.com, the Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. Competitors qualify for the series through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, which was held on Toledo Bend in April 2023, or the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation. Anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season. Each season, the pro anglers compete to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. The last time the Elite Series Tournament Trail made a stop at Toledo Bend was back in 2017, but that is about to change.
Toledo Bend Lake Country will host these elite bass fishing pros February 22-25, 2024 at Cypress Bend Park. The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, along with its partners and co- sponsors, will host a festival, live music, and fireworks display in conjunction with the Elite Series Expo during the tournament. There will be more information to come, so be sure to follow Toledo Bend Lake Country on Facebook and check their website, ToledoBendLakeCountry.com, to stay updated.
