Categories: Texas Business NewsTexas LifestyleTexas News

Texas Celebrates Record Lunkers in Fishing Milestone

News Summary

The 2025 Toyota ShareLunker Program successfully concluded another season, celebrating five years of achievements with a total of 14 Legacy Class Lunkers caught across nine public lakes in Texas. Leading the effort, O.H. Ivie Lake accounted for six of the entries, with notable catches including a 14.05-pound bass at Lady Bird Lake. Anglers are encouraged to participate in the program, which not only recognizes significant catches but also supports bass population management, promoting conservation and heritage in Texas fishing.

Texas – The Toyota ShareLunker program has reached a remarkable milestone in 2025, achieving its most successful year yet with a total of 14 Legacy Class Lunkers contributed by anglers from various public lakes across Texas. This achievement marks five consecutive successful seasons, highlighting the ongoing popularity and effectiveness of the program in promoting the state’s prized largemouth bass.

Of the 14 Legacy Class Lunkers caught, notable contributions came from nine public lakes, including O.H. Ivie, Richland-Chambers, Lady Bird Lake, J.B. Thomas, Alan Henry, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Tyler, and Toledo Bend. O.H. Ivie Lake stood out as the top destination, accounting for six of these impressive entries. The first Legacy Class fish of 2025 was caught by Brady Stanford, measuring in at 13.13 pounds at O.H. Ivie Lake.

A significant highlight of this year’s program was the successful introduction of Lake Tawakoni, which increased the total number of public reservoirs housing Legacy Class ShareLunkers to 79. Additionally, Willie Pipkin made notable headlines by setting a new waterbody record with a remarkable 14.05-pound bass at Lady Bird Lake on February 5, showcasing the exceptional fishing opportunities present in Texas waters.

The program saw several seasoned anglers contributing their second Legacy Class Lunkers this season. Notably, Brady Stanford, Ross Gomez, Terry Scott, and Mechelda Criswell all achieved this milestone. Furthermore, Ross Gomez made history by catching the same bass two years apart, an uncommon feat in the angling community.

March 22 proved to be an exciting day for bass fishing, with a simultaneous double-lunker catch reported at Lake Tyler and Sam Rayburn, adding to the excitement and engagement among the angling community.

The ShareLunker program recognizes those anglers who catch and loan bass weighing over 13 pounds for research and breeding purposes. Participants are rewarded with Legacy Class status, various merchandise, VIP access to events, and opportunities to win prizes. There are additional classes for anglers submitting data on bass that weigh over eight pounds or measure at least 24 inches throughout the year. These classes include the Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class (8 lb.+), the Strike King Elite Class (10 lb.+), and the Lew’s Legend Class (13 lb.+).

Anglers are also encouraged to send DNA samples for genetic analysis, assisting the program in managing the bass population effectively. The Toyota ShareLunker program operates in collaboration with various sponsors, including Toyota, AFTCO, and Bass Pro Shops, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the health and size of Texas’s largemouth bass through selective breeding and data collection.

Commencing its 39th season on January 1, 2025, the ShareLunker program has consistently aimed to improve trophy bass sizes in Texas waters. Since its inception in 1986, it has successfully stocked nearly 1.9 million ShareLunker offspring across Texas lakes. The program’s foundation was significantly bolstered by the introduction of Florida bass in 1972, which contributed greatly to improving trophy bass sizes, a primary goal of the project’s mission.

Participating anglers are eligible for various awards and recognitions, including the chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops—a further incentive that encourages ongoing involvement in this important conservation initiative. As the program continues to thrive, it remains a focal point for both competitive anglers and conservation efforts across Texas.