The Champions Tour Returns to Grand Rapids, MN to Conclude 2020 Season
For vacation destinations around the world it has been an interesting year to say the least. Covid-19 has changed everything for travelers, resorts, hotels, and any business that relies on an influx of vacationers to their area. Despite all the challenges the pandemic has presented, it has motivated people to get outside and enjoy things like fishing, hiking, biking and several other activities that allow people to practice safe social distancing while out and about. The fishing industry has seen a huge spike in license sales, while fishing and hunting retailers have also experienced a great stretch of business. In many ways, people are enjoying the outdoors more than ever. If you find yourself in search of a safe destination to enjoy the outdoors, we have the location for you.
Since the inaugural season of the Champions Tour in 2017, we have visited the Grand Rapids, MN area, specifically Lake Pokegama. Visit Grand Rapids has welcomed the tour with open arms and provided the facilities and resources to host first class events. The Champions Tour focuses on competitive tournament bass fishing, but the Grand Rapids area has so much more to offer. It is a family friendly region with 1,400 lakes and 3,000 miles of hiking and biking trails. A perfect driving distance from the Twin Cities, Grand Rapids offers a diversity of activities whether you are a fisherman, a hiker, or a small-town explorer.
Throughout 2020 the town of Grand Rapids has taken extra precautions to keep residents and visitors safe during the pandemic. Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate is of course being followed in an extremely strict manner, while businesses are going above and beyond to sanitize, disinfect and follow social distancing guidelines. Visit Grand Rapids wants people to know that they can feel safe and enjoy the beauty of northern Minnesota without hesitation. Like an individual juggling the current challenges of travel and vacationing, the Champions Tour was faced with difficult decisions and obstacles while building the 2020 schedule. Events have been a complicated task this summer but once again Visit Grand Rapids made the tour’s decision an easy one thanks to safe accommodations, event sites and much more.
Another focus of the country and Grand Rapids area is the prevention of invasive species spread in local and state bodies of water. During the Lake Pokegama tournament Itasca County AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) will be providing free inspections and boat washes to Champions Tour anglers to help prevent the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels.
For the Champions Tour, Grand Rapids will once again host our anglers on September 3rd and 4th for what will undoubtedly be the biggest event the tour has put together. The last regular season tournament will take place on Thursday, September 3rd on Lake Pokegama. This is the final opportunity for anglers to qualify themselves for the 2020 Championship which will occur the very next day on a Grand Rapids area lake that will be announced the night before the event. It will be two days of action-packed fishing that will culminate in the crowning of the 2020 champion who will travel home with a new Skeeter boat in tow.
Fishing in September can be a wild card. Bass are transitioning into their fall mode and of course the weather is very unpredictable. Bass may be sporadic in the types of locations and structure they are setup on but when anglers find them, they will be quick to eat whatever bait is presented to them. One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of bass caught throughout this two-day Champions Tour event on the fantastic lakes that are available to us in the Grand Rapids area.
If you’re in Grand Rapids or are interested in how the season plays out, visit www.classicbass.com to follow live standings via the Champions Tour Reel LiveWell App or watch the Champions Tour live video coverage from the water.
We guarantee that Grand Rapids will find it’s way onto your list of places to visit!
