Evers Reservoir (Ward Lake), FL

Evers Reservoir, also known as Ward Lake or Bill Evers Reservoir, is a freshwater reservoir on the Braden River in Manatee County near Bradenton, Florida. The City of Bradenton uses the reservoir as its primary municipal water supply and describes the expanded reservoir as roughly 360 acres.

Evers Reservoir Fishing

Jiggs Landing Preserve provides public freshwater fishing access to Evers Reservoir and the upper Braden River. Current local fishing information identifies largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish (shellcracker) among fish caught in this freshwater system.

For bass and panfish, focus on shoreline cover, shaded banks, submerged structure, vegetation edges and deeper water as temperatures rise. The reservoir is river-shaped rather than a broad open lake, so anglers can work both main-channel structure and quieter shoreline pockets.

Jiggs Landing Boat Ramp and Fishing Access

Jiggs Landing Preserve at 6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton, FL 34203 is the primary public access point. Manatee County lists a boat launch, fishing pier, picnic shelters, restrooms, and an accessible canoe/kayak launch. The preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and after-hours boat-ramp access is available through the county gate-access-card program.

Evers Reservoir and the Braden River

The Braden River was dammed in the 1930s to create Ward Lake and later expanded and reconstructed in the 1980s. The reservoir was renamed for former Bradenton Mayor Bill Evers. Manatee County notes that the reservoir lies at the south end of the Braden River paddling trail.

The low dam is not safe to approach or climb, and there is no portage around the dam. Fishing-license requirements also change across the dam: freshwater regulations apply upstream in the reservoir, while the tidally influenced river below the dam falls under saltwater licensing rules.

Near Bradenton and Sarasota

Evers Reservoir is a convenient freshwater option near Bradenton and Sarasota. It should not be confused with Lake Manatee, which is a separate reservoir farther east.

Before visiting, confirm current Jiggs Landing hours, ramp conditions, and Florida fishing regulations.