NATCHITOCHES, LA- Two Northwestern State University (NSU) Bass Fishing teams have secured their spots in the 2025 Major League Fishing (MLF) College Fishing National Championship. Evan Howe of Keatchie and Noah Trant of Bossier City, along with Stone Smith of Shreveport and Drake Wadsworth of Grand Cane, clinched their spots after impressive performances at Table Rock Lake in Missouri, finishing 23rd and 26th, respectively.
Qualifying for the MLF college fishing national championship is no easy feat. Teams must first compete in qualifying tournaments, where they vie for a chance to advance to the national stage. At these events, teams accumulate points based on their finishes, with the top teams earning invitations to the prestigious national championship. The Northwestern State University Bass Fishing Team competes against highly regarded universities across the nation including Tennessee, Auburn, ULM, LA Tech, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Oklahoma State.
Currently ranked 6th in the country in MLF, NSU’s Bass Fishing Team’s success is a testament to their dedication and skill in the sport. The Demons have consistently demonstrated their prowess on the water. The recent qualifications for the national championship by Howe/Trant and Smith/Wadsworth have further solidified NSU’s status as a force in collegiate bass fishing.
For Howe and Trant, the journey to qualifying for the 2025 championship follows their participation in the 2024 MLF National Championship at Lake Toho in Florida where they finished 28th, showcasing their growth and determination in the sport. In addition to his participation in collegiate team fishing events, Howe has also ventured into professional tournaments competing in the MLF Toyota Series and finishing 29th.
NSU’s success in MLF has bolstered the Demon Bass Fishing Team’s standings in the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) School of the Year program. The program recognizes points earned from various collegiate bass fishing tournaments, including those sanctioned by MLF and B.A.S.S. The Demons are currently ranked 32nd overall in the ACA out of hundreds of schools across the nation reflecting their consistent performance and competitive edge in collegiate fishing.
Looking ahead, the Demons will be back on the water again next week with two teams representing the university at the ACA National Championship at Pickwick Lake on the Alabama/Tennessee border. As they continue to make their mark in the college fishing world, fans eagerly anticipate their future achievements and successes.
For more information on the NSU Bass Fishing Team, email owensd@nsula.edu.
