Benjamin Milliken, a well-known figure in the fishing community and a popular YouTube personality behind the channel Milliken Fishing, was arrested on Thursday in Nacogdoches County, Texas. The 35-year-old Bassmaster Elite angler faces charges of freshwater fishing tournament fraud related to his submission of a Legacy Class ShareLunker largemouth bass he caught at Lake Naconiche in February 2024.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife officials, Milliken is accused of falsifying his contest entry form when submitting the catch. The fraud was discovered during a routine due diligence process by officials before the distribution of program prizes at the Toyota ShareLunker Banquet. Maggie Berger, a spokesperson for Texas Parks and Wildlife, confirmed that Milliken did not have a valid fishing license at the time of the catch and knowingly falsified the tournament entry form.
Milliken, a resident of New Caney, Texas, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge and surrendered to authorities. He was released just 29 minutes after being booked, according to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office.
The Legacy Class ShareLunker program is a prestigious initiative where anglers who catch largemouth bass over 13 pounds during the spawning season (January through March) can loan the fish to Texas Parks and Wildlife for breeding programs. The program offers prizes exceeding $10,000 for qualifying catches.
Milliken’s arrest has caused a stir online, and he responded on Friday afternoon with a statement on his Facebook page. He clarified that the incident occurred while he was recreationally fishing, not during a tournament, and described the arrest as “due to a complete misunderstanding.” Milliken expressed his intention to create a video explaining the situation, but acknowledged that due to the ongoing investigation, it was best to wait before sharing further details.
While the legal process unfolds, Milliken has assured his fans that he remains committed to producing high-quality fishing content and continues to promote the sport of fishing. He thanked his followers for their patience and understanding during this challenging time.
As of now, Milliken has been disqualified from the Texas Parks and Wildlife ShareLunker program, and further legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the charges.
