BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA -- The tournaments may be done for the years but fishing in Massena will be on many folks' calendars, literally this time.

Don Meissner, who works as the town of Massena's fishing promotion director, said Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to feature Massena in print magazines and on calendars as part of a promotion to highlight places where tournaments have been held.

Meissner said planning for tournaments next year is already well under way, with the "orchestration for them" ongoing nationally.

Massena in particular has been working with MLF as the organization undergoes a number of changes. Amongst the changes, MLF has changed their overall marketing approach, Meissner said.

As part of that promotion, Massena will be featured in the month of August for the calendar.

Meissner said the town has been able to promote tournaments further in the future with grant funding through the Market NY program.

"The Market NY staff felt that this was a good utilization of grant dollars because they approved the use of grant funding to help support the cost of the ad that will feature Massena during the month of August 2024,” he said.

Meissner said grant funding was already in place for "publication pieces but the calendar highlights the communities that host these events."

According to Meissner, those promotional pieces will be seen worldwide as MLF sends calendars to fisherman who are on MLF's list, from professional anglers to amateurs who are passionate about the sport.

“A great many people will see the ad from Massena, including municipal leaders, anglers from around the United States and Canada, as well as throughout Europe and Asia where the sport of fishing has gained in popularity and support. The home of the St. Lawrence River now can have their identity spread around the globe," he said.

The promotional efforts all tie into efforts for next year's tournament after MLF announced they would once again be coming back to Massena in August.

Stage Seven at the St. Lawrence River in the 2024 tour will be hosted by the town of Massena Aug. 6-11, 2024.

“We are proud to roll out a schedule with seven destinations that are world-class fisheries,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President & General Manager. “Our MLF tournaments create exciting and compelling content for our fans and sponsors. This schedule shines a light on some locations that haven’t hosted a major bass-fishing tournament in some time, while also returning to some favorite regular stops. The stage is set for a very exciting 2024 season.”

Each stage of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour features six days of competition using the catch, weigh, immediate-release format, broadcast live on MLFNOW! and streamed to the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app, and at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.