Some of the best fishing is in ponds with a natural flow of water from an outside source. The movement creates an excellent habitat for many forms of sea life beyond just fish. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia all have a substantial amount of these types of bodies of water. Just what are fishing lagoons?

Are Lagoons Saltwater or Freshwater

These types of ponds are composed of saltwater and, as a result, lie in coastal regions. The influx of seawater from surrounding marshlands allows flow in and out of the lagoon. 

As a result of the constant motion, nutrient and microorganism-rich waters feed the salt pond daily. In turn, the species living in the water have an unending food source. 

In Georgia, one neighborhood, in particular, has a significant amount of saltwater ponds. The Landings on Skidaway Island has a complex piping system that interconnects over 74 lagoons with a direct influx of seawater from the surrounding marshes. As a result, saltwater fishing is unmatched. 

Beyond the salt ponds, The Landings neighborhood outside of Savannah has an additional 74 freshwater fishing lakes. 

Can You Fish In A Lagoon

Yes, you can fish in saltwater ponds as long as the neighborhood or department of natural resources allows for it. 

Anytime you are going fishing, check with the state’s regulations on age requirements for fishing licenses plus the size and bag limits. The size and bag limit is the minimum or maximum size allowable to keep a fish and the quantity that the angler can legally harvest. 

How Do you Determine If a Pond Is Saltwater or Freshwater

Across the southeast, most freshwater ponds have a blue-colored dye to help control algae. The coloring makes the water clear with a blue tint. As a result, it is easy to distinguish freshwater ponds from saltwater. 

In saltwater lagoons, pond technicians cannot disperse chemicals because the constant water flow will wash the algae control out daily. In turn, the water is brown, much like the water in the marshes. 

To identify saltwater versus a freshwater pond, look for key characteristics like watercolor or pipes with flowing water. 

What Kind Of Fish Are In A Lagoon

Fish from the surrounding marshland can enter the lagoons via the pipes that allow water to flow in and out. As a result, a wide variety of fish species live in the salt ponds.

Some of the most common species include redfish, black drum, tarpon, seatrout, flounder, ladyfish, pinfish, and even blue crab. 

With all of the types of fish in the lagoons, it makes for excellent angling opportunities for fisherman of all ages. 

Do Water Levels Rise And Fall During Tides In Lagoons

Yes, the water levels in saltwater lagoons will rise and fall with the incoming and outgoing tide. As the sea level rises in the marsh, intake pipes will allow the water to flow from the marshland into the ponds. 

Lagoons that do not have a direct contact point from the marsh are still fed with saltwater through pipes under the ground. Conversely, as the tides shift to outgoing, water will flow out from the inland ponds and back into the marsh.

In addition to water movement through the piping, fish can also move from pond to pond with tides. 

Before you head out fishing, use the internet to find a local tide chart. A tide chart will inform you when the tides will be low and high. 

It’s Time To Check Out A Saltwater Pond

In addition to sea life, salt ponds also call home to other types of wildlife. Deer, raccoon, fox, birds, otters, and other animals find lagoons and the surrounding land an excellent food source. No matter if you are into fishing or sightseeing the coastal areas are a sight to see.