Lunker Bass Program

You can see photos of the anglers and their lunkers by going to the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass Program on Facebook. A list of the lunkers is posted under the program year below.

​TOLEDO BEND LAKE ASSOCIATION'S LUNKER BASS PROGRAM

The "Lunker Bass" program is the signature conservation program among the many projects sponsored by the Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) as the association strives to deliver on its mission “to improve the quality of Toledo Bend Lake and the amenities surrounding it.” The goal of the program is to encourage the return of trophy fish to the lake by rewarding anglers a replica bass for catching and releasing their lunker back to the lake. Released lunkers will continue to spawn, producing more potential lunkers. Also released lunkers continue to grow and can potentially be caught a second time. A lunker caught on March 6, 2024 by Vincent John Lalena weighed 12.37 pounds. This fish had also been caught on February 27, 2023 when it weighed 10.37 pounds.

This program was initiated by the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana in 1992 and was continued by Toledo Town & Tackle in 1998. Sponsorship was transferred to the Toledo Bend Lake Association in 2005. Between 1992 and March 2023, over 1100 lunkers have been caught and released back into the "Bend. Congratulations to all the anglers who have earned lunker replicas since the program began in 1992 . . . let’s keep the Nation’s #1 bass fishing lake, as designated by Bassmaster’s Magazine, booming with lunkers for next year’s awards! You can see photos of the anglers and their lunkers by going to the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass Program on Facebook.

To qualify for a replica, a bass 10 pound or larger bass must be weighed, registered, and released alive by the TBLA or one of their representatives. The TBLA will provides the angler a free fiberglass replica provided the following rules are met:

  • The bass must be caught in Toledo Bend Lake and weigh a minimum of 10.00 lbs.
  • Fish must be caught by sporting means, i.e. a fishing pole, rod, reel and line, or other form of sport fishing tackle. Fish caught by hand, hand lines, set lines, trot lines, net, trap, seine, or snagging are not eligible.
  • Fish must be weighed on an ASGS approved scale at a TBLA Official Weigh Station or an approved tournament scale.
  • At weigh-in, the angler must agree to the rules, present a valid fishing license (or approved exemption), complete, and sign the TBLA official registration form.
  • A designated witness at the weigh station must attest to the weight and sign the registration form.
  • Angler must release the live fish to a weigh station employee.
  • A weigh station employee or TBLA representative must witness the live release of the fish into Toledo Bend Lake and attest to such by signing the registration form.
  • If the fish dies prior to release, the angler will be notified, it will be returned to him/her, and TBLA will not award a replica.

Handling Tips

  • Keeping your lunker alive is critical. Handle it carefully and go to a weigh station ASAP.
  • Always wet your hands before handling and transferring the fish.
  • Avoid holding the fish vertically by the lower lip. Use one hand to firmly grasp the lower jaw and the other to support the weight just behind the belly. Or, use a knotless, fine mesh, soft net or plastic weigh bag to transfer the fish.
  • Try not to hold the fish out of water longer than 30 seconds.
  • Transfer the fish to a well-aerated live well or aerated cooler, out of direct sunlight.
  • Go immediately to a TBLA Weigh Station.​

TBLA Lunker Bass Program Weigh Stations

Louisiana side:
  • Buckeye Landing, South Lake- 268 Buckeye Lane, Many, LA
    24Hr# (318) 586-4757 or (318) 508-2971
  • Living the Dream, Mid-Lake 13552 Texas Highway, Many, LA
    (318) 256-8991, 24 Hr# (318) 228-5870 or (318) 990-9191
Texas side:
  • Fin & Feather Resort, South Lake- 245 Fin & Feather Drive., Hemphill, TX.
    (409) 579-2056
  • Fairmount General Store, South Lake- 2419 Fairdale Rd., Hemphill, TX.
    (409) 579-9080
  • Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle, Mid Lake- 6302 State Hwy 21 E, Hemphill, TX.
    (409) 625-0181
  • Holly Park Mid-lake, 3000 E Carter’s Ferry Rd, Milam, TX.
    (409) 625-4424, 24Hr# (936) 596-5343
  • Huxley Bay Marina, North Lake, 13200 FM Rd 2694, Shelbyville, TX.
    (866) 733-8193