The IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals will be contested at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville beginning in 2025. The host bid was prepared and supported by Shelbyville High School, the city of Shelbyville, Lake Shelbyville, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who oversee Lake Shelbyville, and several local community chambers of commerce. The five-year hosting commitment will encompass the State Finals in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
“We are excited to start a new chapter as the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals transition to Lake Shelbyville in 2025,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We enjoyed our 15 years at Carlyle Lake and appreciate all that the Carlyle Lake staff and surrounding communities did to support the tourney and help it thrive. Lake Shelbyville is an equally worthy lake and we look forward to providing a first-class experience to our anglers there. We also need to thank the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers, who oversee both Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake, as their efforts to prepare and keep our students safe make them vital to the state tournament experience.”
The IHSA became the first high school state association in the country to hold a high school bass fishing state championship when the inaugural IHSA State Finals were held in 2009 at Lake Carlyle.
“We are thrilled that Lake Shelbyville has been selected as the future host of the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals,” said Shelbyville Mayor Jeff Johnson. “Bass fishing is such a wonderful activity for our high school youth and an honor for all the participants. We look forward to working together to make it an exciting event for everyone.”
