National pro fishing tournament coming to Lake Hartwell in Anderson

A national fishing tournament will descend on Lake Hartwell next week.

The second Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitational event of 2025 is set to launch on Lake Hartwell next week, March 14-16 —the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 2 Presented by Suzuki Marine.

The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Anderson, will feature a field of pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000, according to a news release. Anglers will take to the water to catch their five biggest bass each day, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total.

“We’re very excited to have the Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitational at Green Pond Landing, Lake Hartwell, and Anderson County,” said  Neil Paul, executive director of Visit Anderson, in the release. “The leadership of Anderson County has given us a world-class facility in Green Pond Landing and the resources to host championship level events such as the Major League Fishing platform.

“The Invitational represents another first-time event in our community, and we are looking forward to sharing our brand of hospitality to the anglers, their families, sponsors, the staff and the fishing fans that will enjoy this event in our community.”

Lake Hartwell and Green Pond Landing is a familiar tournament destination for competing anglers — the fishery has host hosted numerous major events over the years — including the 2020 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American — and the world-class facilities offer a scenic showcase with the amphitheater-style weigh-in seating and the scenic backdrop of the lake, the release stated. This event marks the first time since 2016 that a professional-level MLF event with the five-fish weigh-in format will be held at Green Pond Landing.

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“Based on the extreme weather patterns I’ve seen, with lows in the 30s and highs hitting the 70s, I suspect this will likely be a pre-spawn tournament,” said Invitationals pro Kyle Cortiana, who has 14 career top-10 finishes in MLF competition, in the release. “The fish will be plump and heavy, staging in typical areas like brush piles, laydowns, and docks to warm up and feed. This event is going to be all about figuring out where they’re setting up and capitalizing on those opportunities.”

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. each day from Green Pond Landing, located at 470 Green Pond Road in Anderson. Weigh-ins will be held at the landing and will begin at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events.

The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals feature a field of professional anglers competing across six invitational tournaments around the country, for a total purse of $4.3 million and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year points to qualify for the Invitationals Championship, set for Sept. 5-7 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse.