OKEECHOBEE -- Bass Pro Shops and Johnny Morris will host the U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships at the C. Scott Driver Recreation Area in April. At their Feb. 10 meeting, the Okeechobee County Commission approved a request to waive the county fees for use of the facility for this event.

The tournament is a returning event that was first held in March 2021. The fishing tournament and family fun day will include music, food and family activities. The date for the event has not yet been chosen, but it is expected to be either April 2 or April 9. Both dates are tentatively reserved by the promoter.

In a related matter, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is nearing completion on the process required to release the easement in order for the Okee-Tantie project to go forward. Cedar Lodge, the resort arm of Bass Pro Shops, plans to develop the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area into a world class fishing resort.

County Attorney Wade Vose said he has been on calls with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the surveyor and the county engineer. All of the conversations have been very positive, he added. “Everything seems to be going fine on that front.”

“Our anticipated time of completion has slipped slightly to the end of March,” Vose explained. The corps had previously hoped to have all of the paperwork completed this month.