On August 7, a 10-foot alligator made headlines after being captured and relocated from Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth. Sure, Fort Worth isn’t exactly next door to Collin County, but that got us wondering: Are there alligators in Collin County?
Local fishermen swear they’ve seen them. The U.S. Army says there are no gators here. It’s a bit of a mystery!
Sightings Of The “Big Fella”
For some fishermen, the idea isn’t far-fetched — it’s just another reason to keep an eye on the water.
“Be careful out there around the lake,” one fishing group on Facebook posted in June. “You may not believe in the Big Fella, but sightings of this species have been reported around here. Just be aware of your surroundings. If you come in contact with one, report it to the game warden.”
One local swears they’ve spotted not just one, but two different alligators in Lavon Lake in far north Collin County: one was apparently spotted lurking north of Highway 380 and another was reportedly seen gliding through the shallows near Bratonia Park off Highway 546.
On the Lake Lavon Fishermen Facebook page, several photos of alligators began making the rounds in the comment section, fueling speculation and debate. Some images showed gators sunning themselves on muddy banks, while others captured the distinctive snout cutting through still water.
Local Profile could not confirm whether these photos were actually taken at Lavon Lake — or even in Collin County at all — prior to publishing.
So, Yes, We Asked The Army
Lavon Lake is run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, and when asked if there are alligators in Collin County, the official response was pretty straightforward.
“After checking with the Lavon Lake staff, there is no evidence or sightings of alligators at Lavon Lake,” Public Affairs Deputy Tom Byrd told Local Profile.
Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist Trevor Tanner said he’s not aware of any confirmed alligator sightings at the lake, but added that it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
“It is definitely possible, especially in the upper reaches of the lake, but it's not something I would be overly concerned about as they are typically pretty wary of humans unless they're used to being fed,” Tanner explained.
Nearby Cities With Known Gators
While Collin County’s status remains a mystery, nearby communities have had confirmed sightings. In Coppell, for instance, city officials have an entire website dedicated to alligator safety. In 2024, Coppell Animal Services confirmed that an alligator had been spotted in the northeastern part of the city, near small ponds and tributaries along Denton Creek.
It’s a reminder that while the idea of alligators in North Texas might sound surprising, they’re not as far away as you might think.
If Not an Alligator, Then What?
While no gators have been officially confirmed, there is another toothy resident in North Texas waters — the alligator gar.
These prehistoric-looking fish can grow over 6 feet long and weigh 100 pounds, with some females reaching 7 feet after decades of slow growth. Despite their intimidating name and fearsome appearance, they’re gentle giants with no confirmed attacks on humans.
Anglers prize them for their size and rarity, while swimmers sometimes mistake them for something far more dangerous.
The Verdict
So, officially? No evidence of gators here. Unofficially? Some locals say otherwise, pointing to years of whispered sightings, second-hand stories, Facebook photos and the occasional suspicious splash that makes you paddle just a little faster back to shore
Our opinion? We want to believe.
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