NACOGDOCHES — Benjamin Milliken, a well-known Bassmaster Elite Series angler and popular YouTuber, was arrested Thursday in Nacogdoches County on charges of freshwater fishing tournament fraud. Milliken, 35, is accused of cheating in Texas’ prestigious ShareLunker bass program.
Milliken, who resides in New Caney, voluntarily surrendered to authorities and was quickly released from the Nacogdoches County Jail after being charged with a misdemeanor.
The accusations stem from an incident in February when Milliken caught a Legacy Class ShareLunker largemouth bass at Lake Naconiche. According to Texas Parks & Wildlife officials, Milliken submitted a falsified contest entry form as part of the program.
Allegations of License Violation and False Claims
“During the due diligence process this fall, prior to distributing program prizes at the Toyota ShareLunker Banquet, it was discovered that Milliken did not have a valid fishing license at the time the fish was caught and knowingly falsified the contest/tournament entry form,” said Maggie Berger, a spokesperson for Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Milliken was subsequently disqualified from the ShareLunker program and cited for fishing without a valid license, Berger confirmed.
Legacy Class ShareLunkers are bass weighing over 13 pounds caught between January and March, during their spawning season. Anglers participating in the program can loan these fish to Texas Parks & Wildlife for use in the state’s breeding initiatives. Eligible participants can win prizes exceeding $10,000.
Milliken Responds to Charges
In a statement shared on social media, Milliken described his arrest as a “complete misunderstanding,” emphasizing that the incident was unrelated to any Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.
“The incident arose while I was recreationally fishing, and not in a tournament at all,” Milliken stated. “I look forward to creating a video explaining this entire situation, but due to the ongoing investigation, it’s best that I wait.”
Milliken reassured his followers that the arrest would not impact his content creation.
“In the meantime, I’m going to continue working seven days a week to film and produce the best fishing content possible to help spread my love of the outdoors and promote the sport of fishing to as many people as possible. Thank you all for your patience and understanding,” he added.
Impact on Bassmaster and Sponsorships Unclear
Earlier this week, Milliken was named to the Bassmaster Elite Angler Advisory Board, though it remains unclear if his arrest will affect his position.
The Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), which oversees the Bassmaster Elite Series, acknowledged the situation but withheld further comment. “This is the first we have heard about this,” said Chad Gay, communications manager for B.A.S.S.
Milliken’s record with Bassmaster includes 19 tournament appearances, one Bassmaster Classic, five top-20 finishes, and a first-place win. His career earnings exceed $181,000, according to his Bassmaster profile.
A Rising Star in the Fishing World
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Milliken relocated to Texas in 2022. Beyond competitive fishing, his YouTube channel, Milliken Fishing, boasts over half a million subscribers, with several videos amassing millions of views.
Milliken also has an endorsement deal with 6th Sense Fishing, a company that produces rods, lures, and branded fishing apparel. It remains to be seen how the charges might impact his sponsorships or his professional future.
For now, Milliken continues to focus on content creation, pledging to maintain his rigorous production schedule while addressing the allegations against him.