WADDINGTON -- Nearly 500 collegiate anglers will be in the North Country next week to take to the St. Lawrence River from June 19 to 21 to compete in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Northeast Regional.

Up to 250 two-person teams from across the United States will begin practice rounds on Sunday, June 16. Anglers will launch from Whittaker Park at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 for the first day of competition, hosted by Clarkson University.

The public is invited to Clarkson’s campus Friday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. for the final weigh-ins of the tournament. The top 12 teams will showcase their final day’s catch on the lawn in front of the Student Center.

“We are excited to be hosting this event at Clarkson and on the St. Lawrence River, which is one of the best bass fishing spots in the country,” said Ben Seaman, president and founder of the Clarkson University Bass Fishing Club. “Having the opportunity to show off what the north country has to offer for fishing and also show off Clarkson is special. We can’t wait to have all of our fellow college anglers here.”

More than 30 states will be represented at the tournament, with teams from as far away as Colorado. Hank Weldon, senior manager for B.A.S.S. is looking forward to what he thinks could be a record-setting tournament.

“This area is known for setting records from fishing to crowd attendance. We could easily break all of those the College Series has set leading up to this point," Weldon said.

For more information about the tournament, visit www.clarkson.edu/bassmaster.