Major League Fishing and FLW have suspended public gatherings at upcoming bass tournaments through April 12 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

MLF officials announced the decision Thursday. It said public gatherings "include all fan meet-n-greets associated with the Bass Pro Tour, and the attendance of fans and non-essential staff at all FLW tournaments, including weigh-ins."

Tournaments will continue for anglers and essential staff. MLF will make any future decisions based on guidance of medical and public health professionals.

“We’re taking these proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of our anglers, volunteers, fans and staff,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “As a unique outdoor sport where competitors have limited interaction, we feel that we can continue to host tournaments under an abundance of caution. Should circumstances change around a particular event, we will alert those competitors and volunteers directly involved with as much notice as possible.”

Public appearances of the MLF pros associated with Stages Three and Four of the Bass Pro Tour will not take place. Fans are encouraged to remain home and watch their favorite anglers on MLF NOW! rather than gathering in person.

Events cancelled include the following:

• Friday, Mar. 13, 2020, MLF All Access – Angler Appearances at Neon Moon, Yantis, Texas
• Saturday, Mar. 14, 2020, MLF All Access – Student Angler Clinic at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens, Texas
• Sunday, Mar. 15, 2020, MLF All Access – Crawfish Boil, Neon Moon, Yantis, Texas
• Friday, Apr. 3 – Sunday, Apr. 5, 2020, MLF Midway, Garner, North Carolina.

Attendance at all FLW weigh-ins will be limited to essential staff and immediate family. Events affected by this weigh-in attendance restriction include:

• Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Lake Martin in Alabama, March 19-22
• Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Cherokee Lake in Tennessee, April 2-5
• Toyota Series Southern Division at Lake Okeechobee in Florida, March 12-14
• Toyota Series Western Division at Lake Havasu in Arizona, March 12-14
• Toyota Series Plains Division at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, March 26-28
• Toyota Series Southeastern Division at Wheeler Lake in Decatur, March 26-28
• Toyota Series Southwestern Division at Fort Gibson Lake in Oklahoma, April 8-10

All weigh-ins associated with Phoenix Bass Fishing League, Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI, and FLW High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments held between March 12 and April 12 will also be affected by limited attendance. Only essential staff and immediate family will be able to attend.

“We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our anglers, sponsors, and fans,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We realize that fan attendance at these weigh-ins is a highlight of our events, however based on the current understanding of how the COVID-19 is progressing in the United States, we feel everyone’s health and safety must outweigh the inevitable disappointment.”

MLF officials will continue to monitor the fluid situation and notify anglers, school officials and confirmed volunteers as needed.