The Suzuki Marine Stage 7 Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches begins on August 6, 2026 at Lake Erie out of Sandusky, Ohio, bringing the 2026 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour season to its conclusion with 51 pros in the field and a $125,000 top prize on the line.
It is the kind of event that keeps the pressure high from the first cast. Over four days, the field will chase not only the winner’s check, but also crucial Fishing Clash Angler of the Year points and qualification implications for REDCREST 2027 and the Kubota Heavy Hitters all-star event.
A four-day format with no margin for error
The schedule is straightforward, but the demands are not. Thursday and Friday, August 6-7, feature the full 51-angler Qualifying Round. By Saturday, August 8, only those finishing 2nd through 25th move on to the Knockout Round, where weights are zeroed and the race resets.
That structure means every phase matters. A strong start is important, but a poor opening round can end hopes quickly, while even those who advance must begin again once the weights are cleared.
Sunday brings the final test
The Championship Round is set for Sunday, August 9, when the final 10 anglers return to Lake Erie to settle the event. With the competition running from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET each day, the battle will unfold live and in full view across the entire weekend.
Chad McKee will be part of the MLFNOW! broadcast team breaking down the action live all four days, with MyOutdoorTV carrying the live streams and other Major League Fishing content. That means fans will be able to follow the event closely as the final Bass Pro Tour stage of the season plays out in Ohio.
For the anglers, the storyline is bigger than one tournament win. Stage 7 is the final chance to shape the season’s standings, secure momentum, and strengthen paths into the sport’s biggest remaining events. At Lake Erie, the stakes are immediate, but the consequences will carry well beyond the weekend.
