Lake Parrish

Lake Parrish is a 3,560-acre private reservoir in unincorporated Manatee County, Florida, near Parrish. The lake was constructed by Florida Power & Light in the 1970s to support operation of the Manatee Energy Center.

Can You Fish Lake Parrish?

No public fishing is currently allowed at Lake Parrish. The Manatee County Water Atlas specifically warns that several fishing websites incorrectly describe the lake as open to the public. FPL once allowed community fishing, but access was closed and current security and regulatory requirements prevent public activity on the lake.

Because the lake is private, BassOnline does not offer or recommend fishing guides, charters, boat launches or shoreline fishing access for Lake Parrish.

Lake Parrish Location and Size

Lake Parrish is located in Manatee County near the community of Parrish and the FPL Manatee Energy Center. The Tampa Bay Water Atlas lists the lake at approximately 3,560 acres. The reservoir is part of the Little Manatee River watershed and is primarily managed for industrial water use rather than public recreation.

Fish in Lake Parrish

Florida health guidance includes Florida bass from Lake Parrish in statewide fish-consumption recommendations, confirming that bass occur in the reservoir. U.S. Geological Survey records also document blue tilapia in the lake. These records do not change the lake’s access status: the public should not enter the property or attempt to fish the reservoir without explicit authorization from the owner.

Nearby Public Fishing Alternatives

Anglers looking for legal public freshwater fishing in the broader Manatee County area should consider established public-access waters instead of Lake Parrish. Lake Manatee is a separate freshwater fishery, and BassOnline also maintains nearby fishing information for the Bradenton and Sarasota areas.

Access policies can change, so visitors should rely on current FPL and Manatee County information rather than old fishing-directory listings.