Texas bass fishing history turns another page on New Year’s Day 2026 as the Toyota ShareLunker Program launches its 40th anniversary season. What began in 1986 has grown into one of the most successful largemouth bass selective breeding and stocking programs in the country.
For four decades, anglers have hit Texas waters dreaming of landing a Legacy Class largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more. Those fish don’t just make memories; they help build better bass fisheries statewide.
How the Toyota ShareLunker Program Works
From January 1 through March 31, anglers who catch a 13+ pound largemouth bass can choose to loan their fish to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Legacy Class fish are transported to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens for spawning. Their offspring are then raised and stocked into public lakes across Texas, helping ensure bigger, better bass for future generations.
According to its administrators, the program plays a major role in maintaining Texas’ reputation as a world-class bass fishing destination. For many anglers, there’s no better way to start the new year than making a cast that could connect them with the fish of a lifetime.
“For 40 years, the Toyota ShareLunker Program has partnered with anglers to grow bigger, better bass and elevate Texas into a world-class fishing destination,” said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker Program Coordinator. “Every Legacy Class fish shared with TPWD advances selective breeding and stocking efforts that benefit bass fisheries statewide.”
Highlights from the 2025 ShareLunker Season
The 2025 season was one for the record books. Highlights included:
- Nine public lakes produced Legacy Class lunkers: O.H. Ivie, Richland-Chambers, Lady Bird, J.B. Thomas, Alan Henry, Tawakoni, Sam Rayburn, Tyler, and Toledo Bend.
- Lake Tawakoni’s entry brought the total number of public lakes producing Legacy Class fish to 79.
- Lake O.H. Ivie led the way again with six Legacy Class entries.
- Angler Willie Pipkin set a new Lady Bird Lake record with a 14.05-pound bass on February 5.
- Four anglers landed their second Legacy Class fish: Brady Stanford, Ross Gomez, Terry Scott, and Mechelda Criswell.
- Ross Gomez made history by catching the same Legacy Class bass twice, two years apart.
- Lakes Tyler and Sam Rayburn each produced a Legacy Class fish on the same day, March 22.
You can read Wired2fish’s full recap of the 2025 ShareLunker season for more details.
Reporting a Legacy Class Fish
Anglers who catch a qualifying bass during the Legacy Class window should call the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550, available 24/7 through March 31, 2026.
Legacy Class Rewards
Anglers who loan a 13+ pound bass earn Legacy Class status and receive:
- A sponsor-filled catch kit
- A 13lb+ Legacy decal for their boat or vehicle
- VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event
- A high-quality replica mount from Lake Fork Taxidermy
- ShareLunker apparel from AFTCO
- A Bass University swag pack and annual subscription
- Entries into both the Legacy Class Drawing and the Grand Prize Drawing, each awarding a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree
Year-Round Ways to Participate
The Toyota ShareLunker Program runs all year and offers three additional entry levels for bass caught in Texas public waters:
- Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class: 8+ pounds
- Strike King Elite Class: 10+ pounds
- Lew’s Legend Class: 13+ pounds
Submitting catch data helps TPWD biologists track growth, genetics, and lake performance across the state.
Anglers who enter any bass over 8 pounds or 24 inches receive:
- A catch kit and decal
- A one-month Bass University subscription
- An entry into the $5,000 year-end Grand Prize Drawing
Easy Entry and Bonus DNA Program
Once a qualifying fish is caught, anglers can submit their catch using the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app (available on Apple and Google stores) or at TexasShareLunker.com.
Anglers can also submit a DNA scale sample to support genetic research. Those who contribute a sample receive:
- A Lew’s reel (while supplies last, one per angler)
- A three-month Bass University subscription
Instructions for DNA submission are available on the ShareLunker website.
AFTCO Guide of the Year Returns
TPWD and ShareLunker will again partner with AFTCO to present the AFTCO Guide of the Year Award during the 2026 season, honoring guides who support bass conservation and fishery enhancement in Texas.
Stay Tuned
If last year was any indication, 2026 will bring plenty of lunkers for Texas anglers. Keep checking Wired2fish for all the big fish action.
