Big Lake Bottom WMA (BLBWMA) lies adjacent to the Trinity River and is located about 10 miles southwest of Palestine, Texas in Anderson County. The WMA was purchased beginning in 1990 in an effort to preserve a relict tract of quality bottomland hardwood habitat which is rapidly disappearing in the Post Oak Savannah Ecoregion of Texas. Texas has lost over half of its wetlands which include bottomland hardwoods and riparian corridors. Additional tracts of land have been acquired as mitigation for habitat losses from a sand and gravel company or purchased giving the WMA approximately 3,894 acres of land. Until 2009, the WMA encompassed Big Lake and most of the shoreline within its boundaries. Although Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) no longer owns the lake the WMA retains the name “Big Lake Bottom.” The Texas Department of Corrections has constructed several prison facilities to the north and adjacent to the WMA while other properties adjacent are either owned and hunted or leased to hunters. BLBWMA lies almost completely within the Trinity River floodplain and carries topography, soil types, and vegetation characteristics of alluvial major flood plain. As a result of the flat terrain the area often times is covered in shallow, slow moving floodwaters, five to 60 days a year. The area is normally inaccessible several times a year for extended periods due to high water or wet soil conditions. 

Visitors may enjoy birding, hiking, photography, or camping at BLBWMA. There are no roads so access is limited to foot traffic. ATVs are only allowed for hunters selected on the Special Permit hunts. Visitors 17 years of age and older must possess either an AnnualPublic Hunting Permit (APH) or Limited Public Use (LPU) Permit to utilize the WMA. These permits are available at all license sale locations in Texas or by calling 1-800 TXLIC4U (895-4248). Permits are not for sale at the WMA.