Bassmaster Classic XXXI was held August 2–4, 2001 in the Louisiana Delta surrounding New Orleans. Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, won his first of four classics with a three-day total weight of 32 pounds, 5 ounces. He won $100,000 in prize money. The 2001 Classic was the first covered by ESPN. It broadcast daily updates of the competition as well as part of the final weigh-in from the Louisiana Superdome.