Dec 15
Mosquito Lagoon
For this weeks location, I chose a place that’s neither in the mountains, nor have I been there frequently. However, since I’ll be going again in the next few weeks, I thought I’d share a little bit about what I know about fishing Mosquito Lagoon. I am by no means an expert saltwater fisherman, but I’ve been at least 2-3 times a year for my whole life. I’ve fished everything from the surf of Daytona, the flats and open water of Fripp Island, South Carolina, to the bays of St. George Island. I’ve caught sharks, redfish, flounder, jacks, dolphin, and more.
Mosquito Lagoon
Mosquito Lagoon is located on the east central coast of Florida, between the Indian River and Canaveral National Seashore.
By taking AIA south of Daytona Beach, you will come to the entrance gate of the Canaveral National Seashore where there is a $5 per day car fee. On the beach, there is excellent surf fishing for pompano, whiting, and bluefish. On the lagoon side, you can wade a good distance out in to the flats of Mosquito Lagoon where you can hope to find tailing reds, seatrout, ladyfish, black drum, and snook. On either side of the shore, you can find sharks and stingrays.
Taking Highway 3 south off of Interstate 95 will take you to the Indian River on the opposite side of the lagoon. From here you can follow Shiloh Marsh Road along the edge of the river to wade flats similar to the lagoon to the east. In the river there are many man made canals that can hold fish as well. Also off of highway 3 are Haulover Canal, L-pond road, and bio lab road.
The Haulover Canal connects Mosquito Lagoon to the Indian River on the intracoastal waterway. The canal has excellent fishing for large black drum as well as tarpon just small enough to catch on a 6 weight fly rod.
Mosquito Lagoon
L-pond road and Bio Lab road both follow the edge of the water along the river and Mosquito Lagoon, respectively.
The flats on the Indian River side have some very soft, muddy ground close to shore so you have to be careful to get past them or around them to reach more solid ground. Some other dangers to watch out for on both sides of the lagoon are stingrays, jellyfish, and definitely some of the alligators that live here.
Sometimes the road is too rough or closed for the winter bird season, so bringing a bike if possible is a good idea to access these roads. I’ve included a few pictures from my last trip, but check back at the beginning of the year for some more pictures and hopefully some more fish!
Mosquito Lagoon Jack