It’s looking like another stellar season in 2026 for the Becker Bass Team, as registration is currently open for students in grades 8-12 who are interested in joining.  There is an information session scheduled for Tues., Feb 10, 7-8 p.m. in the High School small auditorium and the registration links and more information can be found at beckerbass.com.

Registration closes February 14.

A year ago, 76 student anglers participated, with many of the participants taking advantage of the two nights per week that the team hits the water.

“We meet up on Tuesday nights at Big Lake and fish it all season, which gives the team a chance to learn how patterns can change over time and to try new techniques in a familiar place,” Keeler explains.  “On Thursday nights, we meet at the high school and head out to random lakes, chosen by the anglers or boat captains, sometimes to try new places, or where there might be a known hot bite”

The team has about 12-15 dedicated boat captains that show up each week and take the kids fishing.

“We couldn’t pull this off without their support of time and resources, as many teams do not get the volunteer boat numbers we see and we truly appreciate how much this means to the team,” Keeler adds.  

Last year’s accolades included Brant Rusin and Owen Zahler winning the SATT Mississippi River event, as well as seven Becker teams qualifying for the SATT State Championship on Pokegama Lake.

Becker also won the SATT State Team Tournament on Lake Vermillion, and there were four teams that competed in the MN JrBASS Nation High School Series (two of those teams were eligible for the conference state qualifier tournament). 

“Becker was strongly represented as usual in the Lund Virtual Tournament Series, and we gave away a lot of great prizes at the four local team tournaments we held,” Keeler says.

The team was also able to award over $11,000 in scholarships to team anglers thanks to the team’s sponsors.

“Our sponsors have a belief in the work we do to provide not only fishing opportunities, but lifelong lessons to the youth anglers we mentor through the season,” Keeler adds.  “Helping to fund goals and dreams is the most rewarding part of coaching this team.”

Education is also important to the team, as they hosted a Watercraft Operator’s Safety Course for over 40 participants in partnership with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol. 

“This is a community service we will once again provide on April 11, 2026 so we can get everyone certified in accordance with a MN law that was passed requiring anyone born after July 1, 1987 that is operating a powerboat to have certification,” Keeler says.