A major fishing tournament that is expected to be the largest tournament ever held on Lake Cumberland is set to come to Russell County next year.
Tourism Director Danielle Wilson announced today the 17th annual High School Fishing World Finals & National Championship will be coming to Lake Cumberland in June 2026.
This is the first time the event has been held in Kentucky. The event is expected to bring more than 450 boats and more than 4,000 spectators from 48 states and 2 countries.
Wilson said she expects the event to have a multi-million dollar economic impact. Officials in Hartwell, South Carolina, where the tournament has previously been hosted, estimated a $2.5 million economic impact from the event.
The tourism office received a $35,000 grant in 2023 through funds from the American Rescue Plan that helped make hosting the tournament possible.
“This is a game-changer for tourism in Russell County and the state,” said Danielle Wilson, Executive Director of Tourism at the Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission. “We are beyond excited to showcase our incredible lake and community to visitors from across the country. Events like these highlight the power of tourism and what we can achieve when we work together.”
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
To ensure the success of this historic event, we are actively seeking local and regional business sponsors. Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to thousands of attendees while directly supporting the economic growth of our community. If your business is interested in being part of this incredible event, please contact:
Danielle Wilson Executive Director of Tourism Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission O: 270.866.4333 | C: 270.566.1672 director@lakecumberlandvacation.com
