17APR
Kickapoo SRA
Long Lake / designated tournament water
Central Illinois Kayak Bass Series
Local water.
Serious fishing.
A grassroots kayak tournament series built for competitive anglers, good camps, and honest days on the water.
- 06
- Saturday events
- 12”
- Minimum bass
- 05
- Best fish count
Catch · Photo · Release
Next season2027
Six lakes.
One championship.
Proposed tournament schedule
Six waters.
One season.
All events are within about 1.5 hours of Normal, Illinois. Dates and venues remain subject to permit and site approval.
On-site camping
15MAY
Evergreen Lake
COMLARA Park - Hudson, IL
19JUN
Prairie Lake - JEPC
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA
17JUL
Dawson Lake
Moraine View State Recreation Area
21AUG
Sangchris Lake
Sangchris Lake State Park
18SEP
Banner Marsh
Championship - Banner Marsh SFWA
Season championshipThe competition
Simple format.
Clean catches.
Fish hard, document the catch, and release it healthy. CIKBS uses a straightforward format that keeps the focus on angling skill and sportsmanship.
Catch
Land a legal largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass using artificial lures.
Photo
Measure the fish on an approved board and capture the required identifier in-frame.
Release
Return every fish to the water. Your five longest accepted bass make up your score.
Rules preview
The proposed 2027 rulebook now covers watercraft, PFD requirements, timing, measurement, photo standards, fish handling, boundaries, weather, protests, sportsmanship, penalties, ties, and championship qualification.
Read full rules →Proposed fees
Built to fish.
Priced to join.
These launch-planning figures are transparent placeholders and can be finalized after permits, insurance, payment fees, and payout targets are known.
Annual membership
$40/ season- Season points eligibility
- Member event pricing
- Championship qualification
- Member profile and results
Member event entry
$60/ event- Big bass pot included
- Secure online registration
- Live scoring access
- Published results
Guest event entry
$75/ event- Try one open event
- Big bass pot included
- No season points
- Subject to capacity
Proposed pricing only. Final entry fees, payout schedule, refund policy, and transaction fees will be published before registration opens.
Membership
Create your
CIKBS account.
New members can create an account, complete their safety profile, add the test membership, and register for events. Returning members use the same secure sign-in.
Safe test mode
The portal records simulated payments only—no card or bank information is collected. Secure online checkout will be added before paid membership opens.
01Do I need to be an experienced tournament angler?+
No. CIKBS is designed to welcome first-time competitors and seasoned anglers alike. A pre-event briefing will cover scoring, boundaries, safety, and check-in.
02What kind of kayak can I use?+
Any human- or electric-powered kayak that meets the final safety rules. Motors must follow venue regulations. Every competitor must wear an approved PFD while on the water.
03How are fish scored?+
Events use catch-photo-release scoring. Your best five legal bass are measured by length on an approved board, photographed, and submitted through the selected tournament app.
04Can I fish one event without joining the series?+
The proposed structure includes a per-event option for guests. Members receive reduced entry fees and are eligible for season-long points and championship qualification.
05Are dates and launch sites final?+
Not yet. The 2027 schedule is proposed and remains subject to permits, water conditions, and site approval. Final launch details will be posted before registration opens.
Be there from the beginning
Let’s build the series.
Follow the 2027 launch, get permit and registration updates, and help shape Central Illinois’ next kayak bass community.
Get launch updates