Mosquito Lagoon is located in the northern part of the Indian River Lagoon system and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends from Ponce de León Inlet in Volusia County, Florida, to the north end of Merritt Island. It connects to the Indian River via the Haulover Canal. The Lagoon divides the city of New Smyrna Beach. It also runs next to the Canaveral National Seashore on Cape Canaveral and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Kennedy Space Center is located on the lagoon as well.
The Indian River Lagoon has more species than any other estuary in North America and the most diverse bird population in North America. An estuary is formed when saltwater from the sea mixes with freshwater from the land. Mosquito Lagoon is located in the northernmost part of the Indian River Lagoon and has a width that varies from one half mile to five miles. The waters of Mosquito Lagoon are influenced more by the wind than tidal forces and do not flow like a river.
The majority of the islands were created when mangroves seeded oyster beds. Birds visit the islands and drop seeds distributing the diverse species collection around the lagoon.
The islands of Mosquito Lagoon range from less than one acre to several hundred acres in size. Smaller islands fall victim to freezing temperatures which kill its’ plant life. Without the plants, the islands wash away over time. Larger islands are home to old oak trees, many varieties of palms and red cedar trees.
All the islands of Mosquito Lagoon are important nesting areas for birds. The lagoon is spawning and nursery ground for both ocean living and lagoon fishes.
Mosquito Lagoon is home to at least 36 rare and endangered species and four species of fish that breed only in the Indian River Lagoon System. Birds include many species of Ducks, Geese, Hawks, Falcons, Osprey, Vultures, Woodpeckers, Owls, Mockingbirds, Seabirds, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns, Herons, Egrets, Ibis, Spoonbills, Doves, Kingfishers, Cuckoos, Quail, Turkey, Loons, Sparrows, Pelicans, Cormorants, Warblers and Hummingbirds.
Fish species in Mosquito Lagoon include Red Drum or Redfish, Spotted or Speckled Seatrout, Snook, Ladyfish, Flounder, Flounder, Tripletail, Mullet, Rays, Eels, Needlefish, Seahorses, Pipefish, Pufferfishes, Tarpon and Black Drum. Mammal species include Weasels, Panthers, Bottlenose Dolphin, Mice, Muskrats, Manatees and Raccoons. Alligators, Turtles, Tortoises, Fiddler, Horseshoe and Blue Crabs also inhabit Mosquito Lagoon. Shrimp, Clams and Oysters are an important element of the food chain in Mosquito Lagoon.
Mosquito Lagoon was home to Timucuan and Ais Indians dating back to 10,000 B.C. The rising sea level has covered many of their settlements. Mosquito Lagoon has attracted recreational activities since the late 1800s when it became busy with steamboats. Railroad lines led to motels in New Smyrna Beach.
With names like Shotgun Island, Orange Island and Whiskey Point it is not hard to imagine the locals being mostly fishermen, orange growers, bootleggers, pig farmers and American Indians.
Mosquito Lagoon is known as the most notorious point of entry for bootleggers on the entire East Coast of Florida. Boats from Scotland, England, the Bimini Islands and Cuba were pulled across a narrow strip of beach land just across from Oak Hill, Florida. Bootleggers would stash their bottles of liquor on the islands until it was safe to transport their wares. Islands were known to have moonshine stills and some were quite famous for their size.
During and after prohibition, bottles were found on Bottle Island, located in northern Mosquito Lagoon. It is claimed that a group of fishermen fought on Bottle Island leading some to refer to it as Battle Island.
Shipyard Island is the largest island in Mosquito Lagoon. The north tip came to be called Last Chance, which provided the last opportunity to scrape barnacles or make repairs before reaching Hallover Canal. It is said that American Indians stored their canoes there. Confederates used the island to build ships during the Civil War. Island residents planted orange groves there in the early 1900s.
Orange Island was named for the largest orange grove in the area at that time. Locals claim it once boasted a large plantation described as elegant.
A group of islands was named for the sound made by dredged corals and sand moving through the dredging pipes. Still referred to as The Clinkers, the younger islands have less vegetation than the older islands and are an important habitat.
North of The Clinkers is Shotgun, a group of flat islands whose shape resembles a shotgun barrel.
Mosquito Lagoon is an acclaimed world famous Red Drum fishing habitat and a well-known destination for birdwatchers and nature tours.
The Nature Conservancy is coordinating an oyster restoration project, developed by the University of Central Florida. The goal is to restore about 40 acres (160,000 m2) of oyster reef habitat within the Canaveral National Seashore.the Nature Conservancy - Indian River Lagoon
Winter, the bottlenose dolphin notable for her prosthetic tail (who's story was featured in the film Dolphin Tale), was rescued from Mosquito Lagoon in December 2005.
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