Trip to best bass lake top prize in sweeps

Ever dream of visiting America's top bass lake? Vote in the My Favorite Bass Lake Facebook sweepstakes, and you could do just that.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Not everyone gets the opportunity to fish in America’s best bass lake on a guided trip, but one lucky person and a guest will have that chance in the My Favorite Bass Lake sweepstakes, now on B.A.S.S.’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/BASS.

To enter, fans can visit B.A.S.S.’s Facebook page through Feb. 29 and vote for their favorite lake in any state, regardless of where they live. It’s their opportunity to give a shout-out to their personal top fishery. The best bass lakes in all states, as determined by fans’ votes, will be printed in the May 2012 issue of Bassmaster Magazine. Plus, a daily state leaderboard can be viewed after each fan votes.

And where is America’s best bass lake — that is, the fishery the sweepstakes winner will get to test out? All fans will find out when they receive the May issue of Bassmaster, in the upcoming feature “Top 100 Bass Lakes.”

“We’ve contacted the Department of Natural Resources of every state to narrow down the field of the country’s best bass lakes,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster. “Based on each state’s survey processes, from electroshocking to catch-rate data to lake reputation, the state DNRs have told us what they believe are the Top 5 lakes in the state.

“We’ll funnel that list down to a blue-ribbon panel of professional anglers, outdoor writers and conservation leaders,” continued Hall. “We’ll measure it against tournament successes that we’ve seen throughout the Bassmaster trails, and take regional factors such as stocking programs and severe weather into consideration.”

The lake that’s selected by the magazine will host the winner of the sweepstakes, along with a guest, for three days and two nights. The winner will get a round-trip flight to the destination, hotel accommodations and a rental car, plus a guided fishing experience on the body of water.

The My Favorite Bass Lake sweepstakes is open to new and existing B.A.S.S. Facebook fans, age 18 or older, who reside in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. The B.A.S.S. Facebook page is a haven for fans of the sport: Every day, bass anglers upload photos of their best catches, get breaking news, and share how-to tips and tricks.

No purchase is necessary to enter or to win. Void outside the United States and wherever else prohibited by law. Fans can enter once per day, and they can earn bonus daily entries for each friend they refer who also enters the sweepstakes.

To enter or to read the complete rules, visit Facebook.com/BASS.