We reviewed data collected through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments ShareLunker Program from 1986-1998 to evaluate the benefits of an angler participation program which allowed anglers to loan largemouth bass weighing at least 6.6 kg to the department for spawning, research, catch and release education, and public relations purposes. During the 12-year period, 281 anglers participated in the program providing the department an opportunity to analyze a segment of the states largemouth bass fisheries that could not be studied using traditional sampling methods. Besides spawning these fish and collecting age, length, weight, and genetic data, the program resulted in the marketing of the department’s management and culture efforts. Results indicate that carefully designed angler participation programs allow state agencies to collect life history and performance data while providing a program that increased public participation in catch and release fishing of trophy largemouth bass.