It's been tough on Northlakes in Denton since the rains a few weeks back with only dinks and an occasional 3-4#'er. Finally, this morning I landed a 6.0# LMB and this evening a 6.15#LMB.

We had the same problem out here in McKinney after the storm, but the bite picked up nicely on Friday. Never tried Northlakes, but would like to. Any tips would be appreciated. Catchin' them all on watermelon seed worms out here.

carolina rigged Grande Bass Rattlesnakes and rattletraps. Most larger fish are found around rock beds.

Which of the two ponds do you fish? I was looking at it on Google Maps, and they seem about the same size. Is one better for fishing than the other? Or is one easier to get to?

I fish the south pond off Bonnie Brae. It has better access with a boat ramp (no gas powered boats though). Also easier for bank fishing. The north pond has a fishing dock which makes it easier with Kids.

Hey folks,

It is stocking time for me again this year and I would like to get some input from you folks and see what you --- the men and women that fish at the lakes I get to take care for have to say so I can make it better for you and more fun.
My goal is to at some point in time have all 56 acres of lakes in my parks balanced that within 30 minutes any 5 year old could catch a decent healthy fish. We have at North Lakes a good species diversity.....lots of them like the crappie have never oficially been stocked but you can find them there. We have some fair Florida Hybrid LMB at North Lakes mostly 2 to 6 pounders with a couple of stories of a few 13#ers in the mix. I would like to add some Hybrid Bluegill, Channel cats (please take any of the yellow cats you catch to make room for the genetically superior Channel and few blues that we have there.
I work for all of you so if you have any suggestions as to how I can make the lakes within the Denton Park and Recreation locations better I am all ears.
Working to make it better for all of my 110,000 citizens,
Jim Mays
Park Operations Superintendent
City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department
940-349-7465
jim.mays@cityofdenton.com

Sounds like some nice ponds Jim, it could use some walleye! ...kidding.

I dont have a depth finder on my ride yet... anyone know the max depth of the south pond and is the pond an even bowl or are there multiple bowls within the pond?

I've got a sillier question... Jim are there any topography maps of the pond?

Nothing that is that current. It is an older NRCS flood control strucure. I have a lot of data on it, I will see what I have and get back with you.

I think the deepest trough is 8 feet. Lots of silt in the bottom so it is not true to the original topo. The structure was built way in advance of all the good work that has been done recently to curtail siltation with all of the erosion control measures folks have to use now with SWPPP's. It is a good structure though and has a lot of Florida LMB. I just want to make the lakes I manage much more angler friendly and that means you have to get a lot of opinions because nobody is as smart as everybody.

I do have a finder on my ride and I can tell you that the pond off Bonnie Brae only has a few holes and channels that are 6-7 feet deep right now. The north and south ends are only 2-3 feet deep and 3-4 feet deep in between. There is only a few areas with a rocky structure. If anything is done to this pond, I wish there was more structure and keep the talapia out. My PB out there is 7-1/2# LMB, heard stories of a 10# and 13#er.

Went out there Friday during lunch break and decided to throw a roadrunner on light spinning tackle (all that was in my truck) Caught one dink, but there were schooling off and on just out of casting reach. Didnt look to be an size to these fish, but would have been fun to get into for some quick lunch action. I had my buster in there a few years ago and can attest to the decent size fish in there...larges one personally caught was 5-6 lbs but I too have heard of much larger.

Ponderfishin talk to me about the talpia what were the cons about them? I put them in to get rid of the filamentous algae and duckweed problems and to fatten up my LMB. I have a permit for this year but did not have a problem so I kept them out. I use them for weed control and forage. Plus they make for some great duck and heron watching when the temp drops below 50 and they die out....Hopefully gradually not all in one night. That is when my guys really do not like the fish program. Never had a complaint. I am very open to your feedback though. They do not eat the Lotus the lilly pads died out due to the multiple rise and fall of the water level in 2007. They will be back.

Hello Jim
Does the ponds by loop 288 in C.H. Collins Athletic Complex are stocked, how many ponds do we have, and where are they? Thanks.
Fishif