West Milton Angler Reels In Top Honors—Again—as 2026 Great Miami Riverway Smallmouth Bass Fishing Challenge Wraps Up
Kyle Grosvenor of West Milton, a 2021 Challenge winner, landed the tournament's largest fish as 59 anglers logged 456 fish over a month-long, catch-and-release competition
Information and images from the Great Miami Riverway
DAYTON — West Milton angler Kyle Grosvenor has done it again. Grosvenor, who was among the winners of the 2021 Great Miami Riverway Smallmouth Bass Fishing Challenge, took top honors for the largest fish of this year's tournament with a 20.75-inch smallmouth bass that held the lead from opening day through the close of competition.
Grosvenor's win capped a month of chasing bronze backs across one of the Midwest's premier smallmouth fisheries. The 2026 Great Miami Riverway Smallmouth Bass Fishing Challenge brought together anglers from across the region for a month-long, catch-and-release competition celebrating fishing, recreation, and the Great Miami River itself.
The Great Miami River Watershed is one of only 35 National Water Trails in the country and the first one in Ohio. Ohio EPA biological monitoring has documented improving aquatic life use attainment along stretches of the river, and pollution-sensitive species such as the blue sucker have been collected during recent state surveys, an indicator agency biologists associate with improving water quality. Miami Conservancy District partners with federal, state, and local agencies to monitor water quality year-round and to remove aging low-head dams, restoring habitat and reconnecting fish passage throughout the watershed.
“There is no better river for smallmouth bass fishing.” — Donnie Knight, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Largest Smallmouth Bass — Conventional Division
Grosvenor's 20.75-inch smallmouth held off a tight field of challengers all month long.
Top 3 Largest Smallmouth Bass:
1. Kyle Grosvenor – 20.75"
2. Dustin Burns – 19.50"
3. Dillon Browning – 19.25"
Competitive Series — Top 5 Bag
The most competitive category of the tournament came down to inches, with the top anglers assembling five-fish bags that would be the envy of any river angler.
1. Derek Pyles – 91.00" (18.75", 18.50", 18.50", 18.25", 17.00")
2. Jimmy Kaulig – 90.00" (19.00", 18.25", 17.75", 17.50", 17.50")
3. Justin Bridges – 90.00" (18.75", 18.50", 17.75", 17.50", 17.50")
IGFA Bass Grand Slam
One of the tournament's more unique challenges required anglers to log three qualifying bass species within a 24-hour period. Sponsored by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the Grand Slam category again proved that the Great Miami River offers exceptional multi-species fishing opportunities.
1. Dustin Burns – completed June 22
2. Derek Pyles – completed June 26
3. Jimmy Kaulig – completed July 5
4. Robert Watson – completed July 11
Fly Division Winners
Largest Smallmouth Bass: Jake Carter – 18.25"
Competitive Series – Top 5 Bag: Ken Carter – 68.25"
Random Drawing Prize Winners
Slot 1 (12"–13.75"): Derek Pyles, Dustin Burns, Andrew Trimbach
Slot 2 (14"–15.75"): Luke Cetnar, Jesse Freeland, Clifford Stanfield
Slot 3 (16"–17.75"): Kyle Grosvenor, Aaron Bozarth, Dylan Hicks
Slot 4 (18"+): Jimmy Kaulig, Dustin Burns, John Hollingshead
Fly Division Drawing Winners: Pamela Allen, Ken Carter
Thank You to Our Anglers and Sponsors
The Great Miami Riverway extends its thanks to every angler who participated, logged fish, shared photos, and helped showcase the outstanding smallmouth bass fishery found throughout the Riverway communities. The Challenge continues to highlight why the Great Miami River is regarded as one of Ohio's premier destinations for river fishing.
A special thank you to sponsors and partners, including presenting sponsor the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), DLZ, Molson Coors, Hamilton Bait & Tackle, and Mad River Outfitters, for their support of this year's event.
Anglers and community members gathered to celebrate the season at an award ceremony on July 29, 2026, at Crooked Handle Brewing Co. in Piqua, Ohio, meeting fellow anglers and connecting with tournament directors.
Registration for the 2027 Great Miami Riverway Smallmouth Bass Fishing Challenge will open in spring 2027.
About the Great Miami Riverway
The Great Miami Riverway is a coalition of communities and partners working together to promote recreation, tourism, and stewardship along the Great Miami River corridor in Southwest Ohio. The Miami Conservancy District, a regional flood protection and water management agency serving nine counties, helps coordinate the partnership.