Indian River Lagoon, Florida
If you are near Central Florida, add kayak fishing the Indian River Lagoon to your bucket list. The Indian River Lagoon includes the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and Indian River, covering 156 miles of Florida’s east coast. Much of the lagoon’s shallow water is included in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The lagoon stretches from Ponce Inlet (Daytona Beach/New Smyrna Beach) south to Jupiter Inlet and includes (north to south) Mosquito Lagoon, the Indian River, Banana River, Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian River and Hobe Sound. It is North America’s most diverse estuary, home to 2,200 species of animals and 2,100 species of plants. Kayakers can access the shallows (no more than 6 inches deep) where redfish schools, gator sea trout, huge bull redfish, oversize black drum, snook, and tarpon frequent.
The WSEG in the Mosquito Lagoon’s no motor zone is a popular launch area that opens into a huge fishing area that is seldom busy with anglers. You can also paddle to the east side of the Mosquito Lagoon where the massive grass flats are located. The fishing is a thrill in both of these areas and the scenery is serene and calming. For access to the grass flats and other great shallow water fishing, Mosquito Lagoon kayakers can also use the shallow water launches at Bio Lab Road, Haulover Canal, Beacon 42 ramp, and Eddy Creek at the Canaveral National Sea Shore.
To fish the Indian River Lagoon, launch at the Peacocks Pocket ramp in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve. (Merritt Island is only one hour east of Orlando.) The sea grass flats located from Mims to Scotsmoor, FL and the sea grass flats north of Haulover Canal to south on the eastern side of the Indian River are also great shallow water fishing areas for kayakers. If you are visiting the Central Florida area, don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch big reds, trout, snook and tarpon.
Grand Isle, Louisiana
G rand Isle Louisiana is a world class kayak fishing destination. With more than 280 species of fish and four seasons of fishing, Grand Isle welcomes kayak anglers of all skill levels. Grand Isle is a town in Jefferson Parish, LA, located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of Barataria Bay where it meets the gulf.
Grand Isle is about 100 miles away from New Orleans. Listed as the only inhabited barrier island in Louisiana, Grand Isle is considered by many to be the premier redfish destination in the Gulf of Mexico’s angling mecca. Anglers battle monster reds in these shallow waters. In the summer, this tiny sea-side town hosts the Cajun Rodeo, which draws 15 times its normal population annually.
Besides fishing, Grand Isle is also known for its birding trails which consists of nearly 60 acres of marsh and Chenier forest habitat and the hosting of The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival – an annual three-day event.
Fort Fisher, North Carolina
The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, located on North Carolina’s southeastern coastal corner, is ideal for kayak fishing. It consists of the remains of Fort Fisher from the U.S. Civil War, approximately six miles of beach and the backwater bays at the southern end of Pleasure Island in New Hanover County. The park begins near the end of US 421 and extends to the former location of New Inlet at the northern end of Bald Head Island. The bays and adjoining creeks that run between the bays and the ocean beach, at Fort Fisher offer multiple species of fish and plenty of good fishing spots.
The area offers saltwater grass marshes, creek and channel areas, backwaters, and beaches to paddle and fish. Red and black drum, speckled trout, and flounder are popular targets. Launch at the Federal Point boat ramp, or if you have an off-road vehicle permit check out the trails to access points behind Second Bay, Buzzards Bay, and the Basin. Fort Fisher is home to various fishing tournaments and is frequented by kayak clubs.
Add Fort Fisher North Carolina to your bucket list this spring for a unique kayak fishing adventure.
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