Big Bass Bash Celebrates 20 Years At Lake Of The Ozarks With $200,000 Prize Package

Lake of the Ozarks is home to the $100,000 bass — but for the 20th anniversary of the Big Bass Bash, there's even more on the line.

The Big Bass Bash, one of the nation's largest amateur fishing tournaments, returns Oct. 3-4, 2026, with more than $460,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes up for grabs.

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The biggest bass of the weekend will earn its angler a $200,000 grand prize package, including $100,000 cash and a 2027 Phoenix 21 LXE.

The tournament runs from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. both days, with weigh-in stations available across the Lake at Alhonna Resort, Grand Glaize State Park (PB2), Ivy Bend Resort, Point Randall Resort, and Red Oak Resort.

How To Enter

Entry fees are $150 for one day or $200 for both days. Anglers 17 and younger pay half the adult entry fee.

Registration can be completed online in advance or in person Friday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Grand Glaize State Park in Osage Beach. Friday's registration will also include tackle and sponsor vendors, Big Bass Bash merchandise, and 20th anniversary Bonus T-Shirts.

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Anglers can also register the morning of the tournament from 6-8 a.m. at any of the five weigh-in stations.

Sign up today.

The Payouts

More than $460,000 in guaranteed cash and prizes will be awarded during the 20th anniversary tournament.

Along with the $200,000 grand prize package, second place overall earns $20,000, followed by $10,000 for third, and $5,000 for fourth.

Another $148,000 will be paid out during the tournament's bi-hourly time slots. Each of the four daily slots pays 45 places, with first place in each slot earning $2,000.

There are plenty of other ways to win, too. Exact-weight bass can earn additional cash and prizes, while the top three female anglers will receive bonus payouts of $2,000, $1,000, and $500. A separate kids division is available for anglers 12 and younger.

Every paid entry, excluding the kids division, also comes with a chance to win a 2027 Phoenix 818 Pro with a Mercury 150 Pro XS, valued at $45,000. The boat will be given away during Sunday's awards ceremony, and the winner does not have to be present.

A 20th Anniversary Bonus

There's even a payout for just missing the money this year.

Anglers who purchase a 20th Anniversary Big Bass Bash Bonus T-Shirt can win $200 if their bass finishes 46th in a time slot — one spot outside the normal payout.

The $15 shirts will be available during Friday's registration at Grand Glaize State Park, with a limited quantity also available at Fitz Fishing Tackle & Supplies leading up to the event.

Awards Ceremony

The weekend wraps up Sunday with the awards ceremony beginning around 4:15 p.m. at Grand Glaize State Park.

The Concord Village Lions Club will provide free barbecue and beverages for anglers, with donations welcome. Anglers can pick up their time-slot checks, watch the trophy presentations, and see the tournament's champion crowned.

The ceremony will also include the drawing for the Phoenix 818 Pro and a $2,500 drawing benefiting Hope House.

For every four non-perishable food items donated, participants receive one drawing ticket. Cash donations will also be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at Grand Glaize State Park Friday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. or Sunday, Oct. 4, from noon-5 p.m.