Guides WantedEvers Reservoir (Ward Lake)
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Quick Summary
Evers Reservoir, also called Ward Lake, is a freshwater fishing destination near Bradenton, Florida. Jiggs Landing provides boat access, a pier and paddling access to the Braden River system.
Top Fishing Guides on Evers Reservoir (Ward Lake)
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Top Target Species on Evers Reservoir (Ward Lake)
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Bluegill
Shellcracker
Frequently Asked Questions about Evers Reservoir (Ward Lake)
Is Evers Reservoir the same as Ward Lake?
Yes. Evers Reservoir is also known as Ward Lake and is part of the Braden River freshwater system near Bradenton, Florida.
Where can I launch a boat on Evers Reservoir?
Jiggs Landing provides public boat access at 6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton. Confirm current ramp conditions before launching.
What are Jiggs Landing's access hours?
Manatee County lists sunrise-to-sunset preserve and gated ramp hours. After-hours ramp access is available through its gate-access-card program; check the county for current arrangements.
What fish can I target at Evers Reservoir?
Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish are freshwater targets described for the reservoir. Try shoreline vegetation, shaded cover and channel edges, adjusting to water conditions.
Are online guided trips listed for Evers Reservoir?
An online guided-trip booking option is not currently listed on this page. Contact BassOnline to ask about local coverage and confirm arrangements before traveling.
Fishing Evers Reservoir (Ward Lake)
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.
Jiggs Landing dock photograph: Manatee County. For current bag limits and licensing requirements, review the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
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