A pipe bomb was discovered near Lake Lewisville in Denton County, Texas, and Denton’s bomb squad safely removed and destroyed the device after a local man, Mike Reiter, found it while out with a metal detector. Lewisville police say the device appears tied to an illegal fishing technique that uses explosives to kill fish so they can be scooped up more easily. Officials reopened the lake after the scene was cleared, and an investigation is underway to find who placed the device.
The call came in from a member of the public who spotted something suspicious near Lake Park and dialed 911, prompting a response from Lewisville police and the Denton bomb squad. Bomb technicians confirmed the object was a pipe bomb and took steps to render it safe. Authorities were careful to close the immediate area until specialists could control and destroy the device to protect park visitors and wildlife.
Law enforcement described a worrying pattern: explosive devices are increasingly being used as a crude method of illegal fishing. The blast method kills or stuns fish and sends them floating to the surface, making them easy to collect. Beyond the obvious criminality, that technique is dangerous, indiscriminate and harmful to the lake’s ecosystem, which is already under pressure from development and recreational use.
Mike Reiter, the man who found the device, told authorities he discovered it while operating his metal detector along the shoreline and initially had no idea what it was. He tried to handle the object with a metal scoop before realizing the risk and calling for help. His experience underscores how quickly a casual day outdoors can turn hazardous when explosives are involved.
“I kicked it into a metal scoop over and over again, like stabbing down in it with a scoop, trying to scoop it up, I probably cut it and scratched it and nicked it up, had no idea what I was doing,” he said. “A lot of people were like, ‘Oh, you’re a hero.’ No, no, no, no. Every single person I talked to said they would not have done what I did. That doesn’t make me a hero. It makes me an idiot.”
Officials emphasized this is the first time Lewisville police have encountered a device like this at Lake Lewisville, but Denton bomb technicians confirmed it fits a broader trend they’ve been seeing. Using explosives to harvest fish is illegal, reckless and puts neighbors and first responders at risk. The criminal act also raises concerns about how many similar devices might be scattered around shorelines and shallow waters where people swim, fish and launch boats.
After the bomb squad detonated the device in a controlled manner, the area was cleared and the lake was reopened to the public, but investigators say the work of finding the responsible parties is only beginning. Police will likely pursue evidence from the scene, review any nearby surveillance, and interview witnesses to develop leads. Charges, if suspects are identified, could range from illegal use of explosives to environmental violations and theft of wildlife.
The environmental toll of blast fishing goes beyond the immediate casualty list of fish. Shockwaves can damage underwater structures, breeding habitats and plant life that support the lake’s food web. Recovery can take years, and local anglers who follow the rules end up paying the price when populations dip and seasons get stricter. Lake managers and conservation groups want residents to report suspicious activity quickly to limit harm.
Community leaders are asking lake users to stay alert and never handle strange objects. The safe move is to leave suspicious items alone and call 911 so trained personnel can assess the threat. Officials also encourage anyone with information about illegal fishing or explosives in the area to speak up; tips can lead to arrests and help protect public safety and natural resources.
While investigators work to identify who left the device on Lake Lewisville’s shore, the episode serves as a blunt reminder that criminal shortcuts—like explosive fishing—carry real consequences for people and the environment. Law enforcement in Denton and Lewisville say they will continue to monitor the trend and pursue cases aggressively to deter future incidents and keep the lake safe for everyone.
