Ward Lake, also known as Bill Evers Reservoir, is a 255-acre freshwater impoundment located on the Braden River in Bradenton, Manatee County. Created in 1936 and reconstructed in 1985, this reservoir serves as the City of Bradenton's municipal water supply and provides paddlers with a peaceful, scenic escape from the surrounding development.

**Access and Character** The primary access point is Jiggs Landing, a modern county preserve at 6106 63rd Street East that serves as both a historical site and functional launch facility. The property features a concrete boat ramp, kayak rentals, picnic shelters, a fishing pier, and four replica historic cabins available for overnight rental. Jiggs Landing Outpost operates on-site, offering kayak and canoe rentals, paddleboard rentals, and guided eco-tours with live music events during sunset hours.

**Paddling Experience** Ward Lake offers calm, freshwater paddling with minimal current, making it suitable for beginners and families. The lake stretches wide with picturesque shoreline views, though western areas show visible residential development. The eastern and northern shores retain more natural character with mature trees draped in Spanish moss, native vegetation, and preserved wetlands. A popular route leads upstream (south) from Jiggs Landing into the winding sections of the Braden River toward Linger Lodge, an Old Florida restaurant approximately 1.5-2 hours by kayak. This journey provides intimate scenery through forested banks and preserved parklands.

**Wildlife and Hazards** The reservoir hosts a prominent bird rookery across from Jiggs Landing where hundreds of white egrets and herons roost nightly—a spectacular sight near sunset. Paddlers commonly encounter ospreys, turtles, various wading birds, and occasionally river otters. Alligators inhabit the area; maintain respectful distance and never feed wildlife.

**Dam Restrictions** The low dam at the lake's southern end is guarded by rocks and cannot be safely approached or portaged. This creates a definitive endpoint for northbound paddlers, though Jiggs Landing provides access to waters south of the dam for those seeking upstream exploration. North of the dam requires saltwater fishing licenses; south requires freshwater licenses.