Lake Bill Waller facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Bill Waller
Lake Bill Waller Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Lake Bill Waller Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Marion County, Mississippi
Coordinates	31°11′29″N 89°43′12″W / 31.19139°N 89.72000°W / 31.19139; -89.72000
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.