The 29th season of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Toyota ShareLunker program will begin Oct. 1.
Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or heavier largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between Oct. 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the ShareLunker program. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.
ShareLunker entries that genetic testing shows are pure Florida-strain largemouth bass are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Offspring from ShareLunkers that spawn are stocked into each water body that produces an entry during the season. Some offspring may be used for research, while others may be retained by the hatchery system for use as future brooders.
Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a G. Loomis rod, Shimano reel and PowerPro line combination. If the Angler of the Year is a Texas resident, that person also receives a lifetime Texas fishing license.
ShareLunker catches can be reported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the season by calling (903) 681-0550. For complete information and rules of the program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, click here.
