The 2013 Bassmaster Classic will be held at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in the Tulsa metro region of Oklahoma. At Elite Series events held on Grand Lake in 2006 and 2007, the tournaments received enthusiastic community support.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Grand Lake features a variety of cover and structure to hold bass — the upper end with willows, boat docks and bridges and the lower end with rocky points, creek channels and bluffs.
Photo: Steve Bowman
An armada of bass boats approaches the Highway 59 Bridge, which crosses over Grand Lake on the northern end near Grove, Okla. Anglers in the 2006 Elite Series event spent a lot of time on the lower end of the lake.
Photo: James Overstreet
Spectators were present in big groups as evidenced by dozens of boats surrounding Jeff Kriet in 2007.
Photo: James Overstreet
Grand Lake lays out like a swollen river, forcing boats into the main river channel to get around,; this group of boats was following Mike McClelland in the main channel in 2006.
Photo: James Overstreet
Located in the foothills of the Ozarks, Grand Lake sunrises are always spectacular.
Photo: James Overstreet
Timmy Horton fishes laydowns on Grand Lake in extremely shallow water. The lake offers a variety of cover and structure opportunities, and anglers can expect to find fish at all depths.
Photo: James Overstreet
Mike McClelland is surrounded by a golden sunrise on the final day of the Sooner Run on Grand Lake in 2006.
Photo: James Overstreet
Mike McClelland receives a kiss from his wife, Stacy, as his son Justin looks on moments after winning the 2006 Elite Series event.
Photo: James Overstreet
Rick Clunn and his Elite Series competitors wait for the Day Three launch of the 2007 Sooner Run on Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Kevin VanDam used his favored Strike King crankbaits to gain an edge on the field in 2007.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers had plenty of fan support in his home state during the 2007 Elite Series stop at Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Even in a crowd, the lake lays out where an angler can still win. Kevin VanDam won in 2007 with a throng of spectators following his every move.
Photo: James Overstreet
Elite Series rookie Marty Robinson scored his first Top 12 finish on Grand Lake in 2007, finishing 7th with 69 pounds.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Local favorite Jeff Kriet idles away from the launch dock on the final day of the 2007 Sooner Run.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Anglers launch on Day Three of the 2007 Sooner Run on Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Kevin VanDam was culling early on the final day of fishing on Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Jeff Kriet’s co-angler reaches to lip a bass on the final day of fishing on Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Kelly Jordon finished 5th in 2007 with 70 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Kevin VanDam gives an interview before the final day of fishing during the 2007 event on Grand Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
There was ample local and industry media attention during the 2007 Sooner Run, but the entire bass fishing world will be focused on Grand Lake as the Bassmaster Classic goes to Oklahoma in 2013.
Photo: Steve Bowman
After winning the 2006 Elite Series event on Grand Lake, Mike McClelland backed it up with an 11th place finish in 2007.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Oklahoma’s Jeff Kriet made a strong bid for a win during the 2007 Elite Series event on Grand Lake, but would finish 2nd to Kevin VanDam.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Kriet pulls another Grand Lake bass into the boat from a flooded willow point.
Photo: Steve Bowman
2007 Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett finished 8th on Grand Lake in 2001, with a four-day total of 67 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Oklahoma bass fans showed their enthusiasm by enduring the final weigh-in in a driving rain.
Photo: Steve Bowman
VanDam wins in 2007 on Grand Lake, displaying a celebratory fist-pump that would become all too familiar to his Elite Series competitors. VanDam also won in 2007 on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Steve Bowman
VanDam becomes the first three-time winner during the second year of the Elite Series.
Photo: Steve Bowman
