Lake Bill Waller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Bill Waller |
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Location | Marion County, Mississippi |
Coordinates | 31°11′29″N 89°43′12″W / 31.19139°N 89.72000°W |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 168 acres (68 ha) |
Surface elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
Lake Bill Waller is a 168-acre man-made lake, named for a former governor of Mississippi, William Lowe "Bill" Waller, Senior. The lake is located in Marion County, Mississippi, 7 miles southeast of Columbia, and is primarily used for fresh-water angling.
History
In 1995, the Lake Bill Waller produced the second largest large mouth bass (15 lb. 14 oz.) ever caught in the state. The lake closed in 2003; re-opening in 2007 following state biologists implementing a plan to drain, renovate, and restock the lake with game-fish.
Management
Lake Bill Waller is continually monitored by Mississippi biologists to maintain the production of both trophy and eating-sized fish, focusing heavily on the catch and release method. Lake Manager, Tim Barber, describes their efforts:
All the bass 18 inches or longer must be released back into the lake. We also encourage anglers to keep 15 bass, 18-inches and under, per person per day. Some of the fish less than 18 inches weigh from 2 1/2 to 3 pounds each, which are really good eating-size bass. We encourage our fishermen to catch and eat these bass to keep the lake in balance.