The Richland-Chambers Reservoir in Texas is back on the Toyota Sharelunker Legacy Class boards for the first time in 17 years thanks to a 13.64-pound bass caught on Jan. 26 by up-and-coming youth angler Dylan Sorrells of Dallas.
Sorrells’ ShareLunker 671 is the fifth Legacy Class fish caught on the waterbody in total and the second in the 2025 collection season, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which administers the program.
His catch is only the second Legacy ShareLunker caught so far in the 2025 season — the other was ShareLunker 670 caught on O.H. Ivie by Brady Stanford on Jan. 2 and weighed in at 13.13 pounds.
There are four classes of ShareLunker bass — anglers who catch, submit, and donate a bass 13 pounds or heavier to the ShareLunker program during the spawning months from January through March earn Legacy Class status, the top class, which comes with prizes and entries into drawings with cash prizes and shopping sprees as awards.
Sorrells is a senior of Highland Park High School, a few months from graduation. He’s the president of the school’s Bass Club and has fished 13 Major League Fishing events so far. And he’s already made the catch of a lifetime for a Texas bass angler.
When he hooked into his ShareLunker, Sorrells was actually fishing Richland-Chambers in preparation for an upcoming Texas High School Bass Association tournament. He went back on a Sunday for one last look at the lake.
“I wanted to check a few things so I went to this main lake flat and was looking for brush piles or anything that could be around it,” Sorrells said. “I was trolling around on scope and just saw the fish sitting out there. There were some other big fish that should have been bass, but I saw this one and just threw at it.
“Initially, I didn’t think it was a bass but maybe a catfish,” he added. “It stripped a bunch of drag, but when it came to the surface, I was like oh my, this is not a catfish this is a giant bass.”
Sorrells was fishing with a friend and immediately told him to get the net. When he pulled it aboard, Sorrells knew the fish was over 12 pounds.
“When I put the fish on the scales and realized it was a ShareLunker, I called the program to let them know about the catch,” Sorrells said. “They were great, they let me know they were going to get the truck ready and within a couple of hours they were there. They did a great job and were super helpful as well.”
The ShareLunker is Sorrells’ personal best by quite a bit — his next biggest fish was a 9-pound, 8-ounce bass he caught on Lake Fork when he was just 8.
“It’s incredible to see Richland-Chambers back in the Legacy Class spotlight after more than 15 years,” said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program coordinator. “Sorrells’ remarkable catch not only showcases the reservoir’s lunker bass potential but also highlights the impact of dedicated fisheries management and the commitment of anglers who contribute to the program.”
“When I learned it was the first Legacy Class fish caught from Richland-Chambers since 2008, that’s what I thought was super cool,” Sorrells said. “I not only caught a ShareLunker, but I caught one out of a lake that hasn’t had a fish like that in a long time and that not many people would expect.”
The angler reporting aspect Toyota ShareLunker program, operated in conjunction with the TPWD, provides vital data to fisheries biologists, helping them continue to create bigger, better bass in Texas.
Anglers who reel in a 13-plus pound bass from Jan. 1 – March 31 can loan it to TPWD for the ShareLunker selective breeding and stocking program and report their catch via the ShareLunker 24/7 hotline at (903) 681-0550. Once certified, the catch earns Legacy Class status.
First, the fish must be weighed on a certified scale (a list of official weight stations can be found here). Anglers must also enter the catch data on the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app – available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play – or at TexasSharelunker.com.
In addition to providing basic catch information, anglers have the option to send a DNA scale sample from their lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis. Anglers who contribute a sample to the program will receive additional prizes, including a Lew’s baitcast reel.
Legacy Class anglers receive a catch kit filled with merchandise, a “13lb+ Legacy” decal for their vehicle or boat, VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event, a high-quality replica mount of their fish from Lake Fork Taxidermy, ShareLunker branded apparel provided by AFTCO, and Bass University will provide a swag pack and annual subscription.
They also receive entries into two separate drawings – a Legacy Class Drawing and the year-end Grand Prize Drawing. Both drawings will award the winner a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.
During the entire year-long ShareLunker program there are three other levels of participation for catching bass over 8 pounds or 24 inches in length in Texas public waters. Anglers who qualify for those classes also receive prize packs and drawing entries.
