It was an especially bad day to be a Lake Sinclair fish, as the Georgia High School Association hosted its 2026 Bass Fishing State Championship over the weekend.
Little River Park, located on the Baldwin County side of the lake, originally was chosen as the home base for the tournament, although operations ultimately were moved to the Dennis Station Boat Ramp off of Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County.
Regardless, it was a banner day for Visit Milledgeville, previously known as the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Milledgeville was a partner in the event and the group that brought the tournament to Lake Sinclair.
The tournament brought more than 500 people to the lake and added up to 150 hotel rooms booked, according to Executive Director Rebekah Snider.
“It was a great day out on the water and a significant boost for our local economy, with more than 150 hotel rooms sold and over 500 visitors frequenting our restaurants and retail areas,” she said. “We estimate the total economic impact of this single weekend event to be more than $70,000 for our community.”
A total of 113 teams qualified for the event, with two competitors per team and one “adult captain” per boat. Morgan County High School was the only Lake Country high school to compete. Jacob Janning and Ben Wilson of Jefferson High took home the state championship and was the only team to average over four pounds per fish. Each team turned in their five biggest largemouth or spotted bass.
Saturday marked the fifth GHSA Bass Fishing State Championship, and the first not held on either Lake Lanier or Clarks Hill Lake.