Registration is open for the 2008 Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza, the country's largest amateur big bass tournament, which will be held on the Arkansas River for the ninth consecutive year, with this year's dates June 27-29.

Fishermen can register online at www.arkansasbigbass.com.

The angler who lands the largest fish in the three-day tournament will take home $100,000, with other cash prizes available throughout the weekend. Approximately 3,000 fishermen are expected to compete in the event. Total prize money will be determined by the total number of registrants in the tournament. After several false starts due to high water in 2007, tournament officials distributed more than $214,000 in total prizes to last year's winners.

The tournament begins at 6 a.m. on all three days, with the first hourly weigh-in at 8 a.m. and subsequent weigh-ins at the top of each hour until the final 1 p.m. weigh-in. Cash prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish in each pool each hour.

Big Bass Bonanza is sponsored by the Arkansas Hospitality Association and the contest spans 300 miles of eligible fishing from Fort Smith to Dumas -- the entire length of the Arkansas River within the state's borders.