Craig Lamb (left) and Randy Hopper pose with their plaques after being inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame on Sept. 25, 2025 in Springfield, Mo. The nomination window for the Class of 2026 is now open until Jan. 15, 2026.
November 20, 2025
By Staff Report
Fresh off an induction ceremony that celebrated three influential members of the bass fishing community, the Board of Directors of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has opened the nomination process for the next class of inductees.
Starting immediately, any interested person may nominate deserving individuals to be considered for induction. Nominees should have made a major impact on the world of bass fishing and brought honor and credit to the sport. Properly submitted nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, but in order to be considered for the Class of 2026, they must be completed in full by January 15, 2026. The initial list of nominees will be narrowed to an official ballot to be evaluated by the Hall's Selection Panel, which includes 30 members of the industry plus all living Hall of Famers.
More information about the process can be found on the “Road to Induction ” page of the Hall’s website.
A nomination form is also available on the Hall’s website and may be returned electronically or by mail. While the length or depth of the submitted materials does not determine whether a nominee advances in the process, a thorough description of the candidate’s achievements allows selectors to make well-informed evaluations.
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“We continue to be impressed by the passion and care that the bass fishing community puts into these nominations each year,” said Craig Lamb, Chair of the Board’s Nominations Committee. “The voters always face tough choices, and we are confident that the Selection Panel will again do an outstanding job.”
The most recent class of inductees — the Class of 2025 — included Lamb, innovative boat manufacturer Randy Hopper, and influential tackle pioneer William Shakespeare Jr.
“As we head toward the next era of growth for the Hall, we will continue recognizing both the modern leaders of our sport and the foundational figures whose innovations shaped bass fishing,” said Board President-elect Bruce Stanton. “Each successful banquet and nomination cycle strengthens our ability to support projects that protect, preserve, and promote the future of bass fishing.”
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Proceeds from the induction ceremony’s auction support the Hall of Fame’s core mission of celebrating, preserving, and promoting the sport of bass fishing. Funding grants for fisheries conservation, scholarships for fisheries science students, and youth fishing initiatives are among the many programs supported through these efforts.
