APPLETON, Wis. — For the final event of the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft regular season, anglers will tackle the extensive Wolf and Fox Rivers around Appleton, Wis., where both smallmouth and largemouth have a chance to shine.
Tournament days are slated for Aug. 22-23. This is a catch-photo-release event, and competitors may launch from any approved public launch. Legal waters include Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne and Little Lake Butte des Morts.
This is the final opportunity to earn Pro-Guide Batteries Angler of the Year points and qualify for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft at Lake Murray Oct. 14-16.
This connected system of lakes and rivers has been showcased in B.A.S.S. events before, most recently in 2023, when the B.A.S.S. Nation visited Lake Winnebago. Though Lake Winnebago is off limits for the Kayak Series event, many Nation anglers in that Winnebago tournament ran to the rivers and found success. Top anglers averaged 11 to 14 pounds per day.
The system has milfoil, eelgrass and duckweed as well as docks. There will be plenty of opportunities to flip, frog and throw moving baits such as a bladed jig and a swim jig around those grassy areas for largemouth.
Rock, current breaks with wood, cut banks and even docks will be key features for smallmouth fishing.
Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting the event.
