Does anyone know the history behind North Lake in Coppell/Irving. I know there are plans to develop the land around there for condos and homes and a new campus for the Coppell ISD. Why did they close up the lake. I heard a rumor that the water was too hot because of the power plant and it was a lot of work to keep fish in it. Does anyone else any word on this lake or its future of potentially being a place to fish again in the future?

Don't about it being to hot, they used to water ski in it before they closed, but that could be an issue since it is so small. I did do a little fishing in it before they closed it and it wasn't to bad, nothing huge but none the less.

That little lake use to be the sleeper of the metroplex. The water temperature had nothing to do with the fish in there.

It was/still is full of nice bass, big cat's and crappie..

But it will never be open again.

It's Irving's version of Squaw Creek!

Do a search on this forum and you will find a lot of info about this lake. I fished it from the early '70's till it closed (then we moved to Coppell in 1979 so I fished it a lot, year round). Early on, the predominant cover was reeds and pond weed out to about 4 ft of water. It has always had a good population of fish, bass, crappie, sandbass, catfish and carp. The reason for closure really boiled down to who was going to "police" it. Back in the day, Coppell police patrolled it although it was technically in Irving jurisdiction. Being on the far northern boundary for Irving, especially prior to all the development north of Hwy 114 and the Valley Ranch area, Irving didn't want to make it a priority. You had everything imagineable taking place out there and the place was getting trashed up (not to mention deteriorating roads through the park). Anyway, it was just easier for them to close it than patrol it or maintain it. At least that's the story that we heard at the time. It's too bad too. Yes, the water was really warm in the summer months but a lot of skiers and jet skiers used the lake (although they hated the hydrilla getting caught up in the their intakes). Again, fishing was really good, especially once the hydrilla came in. After several years of the spreading of hydrilla, you could really see the size of bass increasing and numbers of 3-5 lbers went up exponentially. Seems like we caught more 1-2 lbers before that. I also heard that the power plant folks relaly hated the hydrilla because it was causing issues at their intakes, but I don't have support for that. Not sure if it will ever open unless a developer ends up buying the land and builds. But then again it might turn into a private lake too, who knows. It's just another lost fishing opportunity in the Metroplex.

Where is this park or lake you'll are referring to?

A few years ago I passed by that lake every morning on my way to work. One morning I saw sandies going absolutely nuts on the surface. I almost wrecked my car cause I coulnd't take my eyes off the action!

So there is no access to fish it?

No LEGAL access that I'm aware of.

Lord did we use to party out there !!!!
mid-late 70's.
off Dynamo Rd at the pavillions.
live bands,etc.etc!!!

The word is that they are going to put condos, houses, and a Coppell ISD campus out there - Probably a technical High school, The City of Dallas and the City of Coppell are fighting over it. The lake may re-open. I assume they will take down the non functioning power plant.

That would be awesome if they opened it again.

TXU owned the lake and surronding 1500 acres which is in Dallas City Limits and Coppell ISD. City of Irving leased the park land from TXU as a recreational facility but they gave it up because most of the patrons were from other cities. TXU gave Coppell the opportunity to lease it but they passed - Coppell City Manager didn't see any value in having controlling interest in 1700 acres on LBJ and Beltline, 6 miles from DFW... stupid move. TXU closed it to public access in the early 90's. Now Billingsly Development wants to build condos/appartments with retail but Coppell (the city) is opposed. They have been spending millions in legal fees fighting it in court. They tried to eminent domain it too, even though it is not in the City of Coppell. The City Manager (Jim Witt) and council were really exposed as incompetent on the deal, basically getting steam rolled at every turn. Last I heard CISD still had some legal life left in their claim because the land is in the district.

I caught lots of bass out there and it was a great facility. Honey Hole Magazine (the TV show) did a show there once.

if a person was soooo inclined, there is a new park near the movie theater and walmart dont know the cross streets but if your familar with the area you know what I speak of. if a person was wanting to do some ninja fishing....that would be a good place to park because its both buisness are open late into the night...to gain access to lake through the back of the park might be worth a try it would be a walk from there tall grass and mesquite trees under growth ect...all very hypithetical but its what I would do....

The power plant was only part of the reason the lake was so warm. Most of the southern side is very shallow and that water heats up pretty quick. I used to wind surf out there in the early 80's. It was great.Fall off in 2 feet of water and you just stand up and hop back on.

Man am I glad I ran across this post! I've been driving by this lake to/from work for the last 5 years and haven't been able to find anyone that knows anything about it.

Yes, I could see how the water could get real warm as the water on the SW side of the lake looks very shallow.

[quote=fishNfanatic]Man am I glad I ran across this post! I've been driving by this lake to/from work for the last 5 years and haven't been able to find anyone that knows anything about it.

quote]

Same here.

It's a drag having to drive by it twice a day and not be able to throw a line in there.

we used to go out there in the early 90's. i also heard that stupid homeland security had something to do with the closing for good.

It was closed way before Homeland Security was even around. It was all about who would pay to keep it open...and Irving, Dallas and Coppell all passed.

I'm always up for ninja fishng... heheh...

the first rule of ninja fishing...don't talk about ninja fishing...

second rule...take only photos leave only foot prints....I have said too much

I used to camp and fish/party out at North Lake from 80 until it closed. That little lake is great. At the time that it closed you could see giant blue cats cruise by while you were Bass fishin. The biggest one I ever saw caught was in the thirty pound range on corn. It drives me crazy to think how big those cats are now.

not that I would know, but I would say they are big and still eat corn..........