Lifetime Achievement Award, Boating Hall of Fame, Pro Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Horatio Alger Award, BASS Outstanding Achievement Award, Living Legends Award, Sport Fisherman of the Year, International Fishing Hall of Fame...

2007  Outdoor Life 25
         Named one of 25 people who have changed the face of hunting and fishing.

2006  Budweiser Conservationist of the Year
         Named one of the 20 greatest outdoor Americans of the 20th century.

2005    Field & Stream’s “Legends of Fishing”  (read article)
         Entered into Field & Stream’s “fishing hall of fame” as one of the fifty all-time great fishermen who have
         made a major impact the sport of angling.

2005    Texas Legislative Recognition Award H.R. No. 1626 (read article)
         Recognition of outstanding conservation efforts in the State of Texas

2004   Inducted into International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame (read article)

2003   Honored with B.A.S.S. Outstanding Achievement Award     (read article)

2003   First Alabamian inductee into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. (read article)

2002   Elected to Board of Trustees of the International Game Fish Association.  (read article)
          IGFA is the internationally-recognized keeper of records for all gamefish.

2002   Inducted into National Boating Safety Hall of Fame (read article)

2002   First recipient of the B.A.S.S. Federation Lifetime Achievement Award    (read article)

2001   First inductee into Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.    (read article)

1998   Outdoor Life’s “Ten Keepers.”
          His formation of B.A.S.S. listed as one of the top fishing innovations of the past century.

1995   Field & Stream’s “Twenty Who Made A Difference.”
          Named as one of the twenty persons who have done the most to influence the outdoor
          sports in the past century.

1994   International Game Fish Association Conservation Award.
          The first Conservation Award presented by IGFA.

1991   Inducted into Montgomery, Alabama Area Sports Hall of Fame.

1990   Inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

1989   DuPont Outstanding Sportfishing Achievement Award.

1988   Sport Fisherman of the Year. 
          Sport Fishing Institute.

1987   National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

1986   Ole Evinrude Award.
          For contributions to recreational boating.

1986   Living Legends Award.
          Recognized by a vote of 102 writers, honoring renowned anglers, lure manufacturers, and
          legends who were featured in the 1985 book Living Legends of American Sportfishing.

1979   Public Service Commendation, U.S. Coast Guard. 
          For furthering Coast Guard aims and boating safety.

1979   International Fishing Hall of Fame. 
          The Silver Dolphin Award, presented as a tribute to the work of members of the
          Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.