To show how isolated is Mosquito Lagoon, other than Ponce Inlet to the north, the manmade Haulover Canal is its lone connection to the Indian River. Based on collection of eggs and larvae, a 1981 study indicates this canal played a major role in the redfish spawning. Gilmore’s work and the observations of Mark Benson and others familiar with the Lagoon relegate the canal to a minor role in the present. Benson, however, to reconcile all the data, suggests the descendants of the original Lagoon reds are spawning at the south end of the lagoon and north of the NASA Causeway while newer residents from Ponce Inlet may be utilizing the modern canal. This could be proved with genetic testing of fish caught in the act at the different spawning sites.

Redfish takes angler for a walk.

In tournaments, redfish caught in Mosquito Lagoon may ultimately be released somewhere in the Indian River, miles from their home, wherever the weigh station is. If these redfish are indeed an endemic subspecies, this practice should be reconsidered with the goal of not disrupting this special local phenomenon.

The many coves and harbors of Florida’s west coast may see some redfish spawning in dredged channels but they are open to the Gulf of Mexico. Mosquito Lagoon is uniquely isolated.

Why identify breeding areas: Mosquito Lagoon redfish do not breed all over the place, but in specific spots. Pollution of one of these sites would devastate this unique population of fish.

On dumping freshwater canals into estuaries: Overflows into the St. Lucie River sickened saltwater fish such as snook and research shows that male seatrout stop calling females when salinity gets too low. If mating has already occurred, their larvae die.

FISH THE LAGOON

Lures: Topwater plugs and jerkbaits are exciting in the shallows as well as fly fishing streamers. Over sandy bottom spoons, jigs and rubber shrimp’ll get ‘em. Cut or whole finger mullet are the best natural baits, often the only way to get a bite when the fish are finicky. Shrimp work, too, especially in winter.

Accessibility: There are ramps to launch boats into the Lagoon and roads such as Biolab Rd., to drive along until you see an enticing opening to wade out from or throw in a canoe or something. Canaveral National Seashore, on A1A south of New Smyrna Beach, has two launch ramps suitable for outboard skiffs; the southernmost (parking lot No. 5) is pretty good for wading, too. The unimproved Eddy Creek ramp in Playalinda Beach, just east of Titusville, is another dual-purpose access point, with hard bottom for waders. The Haulover ramp, accessed from State Road 3/Kennedy Parkway on the west side of the Lagoon, is very popular for boats of any size; the Haulover Canal links the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon.

Sampling of Hotspots, South to North:

Whale Tail: Open-water flat near the very southern end of the lagoon, in the shape of guess what?

Cucumber Island: Some good redfish flats near this island on the east side.

Glory Hole: A shallow, grassy cut well into the east shoreline that fills up with redfish and skiffs.

Tiger Shoals: Mid-lagoon flat that holds schooling reds.

Georges Bank: A long, east-west sandbar west of the southern Canaveral Seashore ramp, along the last bit of open water at the north end of the lagoon.

More Spots: Check out Florida Sportsman Chart No. 04. Fishing Florida’s Space Coast , by occasional FS contributor John Kumiski, is another great resource (www.spottedtail.com).

FS