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 has witnessed a remarkable achievement in the 2025 Toyota ShareLunker program, which recorded a successful collection season featuring 14 Legacy Class lunkers contributed by anglers from across the state. This accomplishment marks five consecutive years of success for the program, emphasizing its effectiveness in promoting fishing and healthy bass populations.
Anglers contributed these impressive catches from nine different public lakes throughout Texas, with O.H. Ivie Lake standing out by dominating the leaderboard with six of the total 14 Legacy Class entries. Other notable lakes included Richland-Chambers, Lady Bird Lake, J.B. Thomas, Alan Henry, Lake Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Lake Tyler, and Toledo Bend. The first fish of the season, caught by angler Brady Stanford at O.H. Ivie Lake, weighed 13.13 pounds, setting the tone for what would be a record year.
Lake Tawakoni also made a significant impact this season, increasing the total number of public reservoirs that have yielded Legacy Class ShareLunkers to 79. Willie Pipkin set a new waterbody record at Lady Bird Lake with a catch weighing 14.05 pounds on February 5. Notably, four anglers, including Stanford, Ross Gomez, Terry Scott, and Mechelda Criswell, achieved the feat of catching their second Legacy Class lunker, indicating their continued success in the program.
In a unique twist, Ross Gomez made history by catching the same bass two years apart, reflecting the program’s ongoing engagement and the potential for repeat catches from Texas waters. March 22 proved to be a standout day, with anglers catching Legacy Class lunkers simultaneously at both Lake Tyler and Sam Rayburn.
The 2025 Toyota ShareLunker program recognizes the contributions of anglers who loan bass over 13 pounds, providing them with Legacy Class status, merchandise, VIP access to events, and opportunities to win valuable prizes. Participants can submit data for bass over eight pounds or 24 inches year-round, with entry classes including the Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class (8 lb.+), Strike King Elite Class (10 lb.+), and Lew’s Legend Class (13 lb.+).
Moreover, anglers are encouraged to send DNA samples for genetic analysis, which assists in the effective management of bass populations across Texas lakes. The Toyota ShareLunker program benefits from collaboration with multiple sponsors, including Toyota, AFTCO, and Bass Pro Shops, which further enhances its sustainability and reach.
This year marks the commencement of the 39th ShareLunker season, officially kicking off on January 1, 2025. The main aim of the program is to enhance the health and size of Texas’s largemouth bass through strategic selective breeding and comprehensive data gathering practices. Since its inception in 1986, the program has successfully stocked nearly 1.9 million ShareLunker offspring in Texas waters, demonstrating its long-term commitment to ecological sustainability.
The introduction of Florida bass to Texas waters in 1972 has significantly contributed to improving trophy bass sizes. Anglers participating in the program are also eligible for numerous awards and recognitions, including a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops, thereby incentivizing participation in this exemplary conservation initiative.
The 2025 season’s achievements reflect not only the program’s effectiveness but also the dedication of Texas anglers towards promoting sustainable fishing practices and enhancing the state’s rich aquatic resources.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Beaumont Enterprise
- Wikipedia: Fishing
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: Texas ShareLunker Program
- Outdoor Life
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bass Fishing
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: Texas fishing news
