The FPL Cooling Pond at the Parrish Plant, built in the middle of the 1970’s by Florida Power & Light (FPL), is a lake that provides water to be used for the Manatee power plant. This lake is surrounded by grassland, except on the southwest corner, where the power plant is located. This lake is somewhat rectangular and is surrounded on the south, west, north and the northeast by a long levee. Two access roads originate at the power plant and extend into the lake far to the north and east. Florida State Road 62 is roughly 1,000 feet (300 m) south of the FPL Cooling Pond at the Parrish Plant.
The FPL Cooling Pond at the Parrish Plant is privately owned, so it has no public boat ramps and swimming is not allowed in the lake.
The pond is known for its Bass and Crappie fishing among other species of freshwater fish. It has been closed to the public since September 11, 2001. Lucky for us/you FPL has decided to open it 2 times a year for events that benefit local United Ways: United Way of South Sarasota County, United Way Suncoast, and United Way of Manatee County.