By Alyssa Senecal | Photo by Pellerito
The summer series of professional bass fishing tournaments held on picturesque Lake Champlain is returning and isn’t just about catching big fish. It’s a financial powerhouse for the region. The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, dove into the economic Impact data and surfaced with some exciting findings:
These tournaments bring $3.2 million+ in direct and indirect spending to the region every year. That’s a tidal wave of cash flowing through local businesses and communities!
The average length of stay increased by over 15% from the previous study, with visitors now enjoying an average of 4.93 nights in the area. More time spent means more money spent.
These tournaments have created a splash of 41.3 full-time jobs in Clinton County. Talk about making waves in the local employment scene!
A whopping 44% of respondents can’t get enough and make multiple trips to the area each year. They know that this slice of angler’s paradise is worth visiting time and time again.
The state and local tax revenue alone covers the amount spent on host fees for the tournaments each year. These tournaments bring ongoing media exposure and fame with ESPN coverage and popular recreation publications reaching over 100 million households worldwide. Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Coast are becoming household names for world-class fishing – hence why they return year after year.
And let’s not forget each tournament hosted by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and the City of Plattsburgh helps to implement healthy catch and release practices, promotes invasive species prevention measures and supports conservation initiatives with cleanup efforts, habitat projects, as well as research and education programs. Their priority is the long-term health and wellness of our Lake and the amazing creatures that make it their home.
Interested in catching the excitement at one of the tournaments this year? Check out the exciting lineup below: June 22-24: MLF Toyota Series Northern Division June 25: Abu Garcia College Fishing Qualifier July 8: MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Northeast July 15: Northern Bass Open July 29: MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Northeast August 17-20: Bassmaster Elite Series August 26: American Bass Anglers Open Series September 16-17: Thayer’s Marine Tournament
For more details, visit goadirondack.com/bass and prepare to immerse yourself in the ultimate fishing experience!
