Chris Johnston is Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) again. The Otonabee pro angler finished 19th in the season-ending Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River on Saturday, Aug. 23, giving him a total of 776 points during the nine-tournament season and the $100,000 top prize.
As in 2024, Johnson edged Trey McKinney of Illinois, who had 768 points. This is such a relief,” he told BASS. “I feel like someone lifted a bus off my chest. It is unbelievable the amount of pressure that comes with that trophy. The closer you get to winning it, the more stress there is.”
Johnston, the first Canadian to win the title, is the fourth angler ever to win the Angler of the Year title in consecutive years, joining Kevin VanDam, Roland Martin, and the late Guido Hibdon.
“To be mentioned among those anglers is unreal,” Johnston stated. “I never even thought it would be possible for a kid from Canada to come down here, compete, and make a living fishing. Kevin VanDam is someone I’ve always looked up to and to even come close to one of his records is unbelievable.”
Johnson won the title without making the final day cut, unlike the 2024 season when he notched four top 10s. He opened the season by placing 15th at the St. Johns River before finishing 33rd at Lake Okeechobee, 21st at the Pasquotank River, 31st at Lake Hartwell, 15th at Lake Fork, 13th at Sabine River, and back-to-back 11th place finishes at Lake Tenkiller and Lake St. Clair.
Johnston’s brother Cory finished 11th in the AOY standings with 630 points, while fellow Canadians Cooper Gallant of Bowmanville, Evan Kung of Pickering, and Jeff Gustafson of Keewatin finished 15th, 48th, and 84th in the AOY rankings with 603, 488, and 354 points, respectively. The top 40 qualify for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic on the Tennessee River in Knoxville from March 13 to 15, 2026.
For more info, visit: www.bassmaster.com
Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Ontario Out Of Doors
