Lake Bill Waller


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 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.