Agua Hedionda Lagoon is a popular fishing spot located in Carlsbad, California. The lagoon is home to a variety of fish species including bass, halibut, and yellowfin croaker. Aside from fishing, visitors can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking around the lagoon. Fishing tips include using live bait and fishing during the early morning or late afternoon when fish are most active. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the temperatures range from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit.

Featured Fish - Atlantic Croaker

A highly sought after species, the croaker can be easily taken from shore, boat, dock or pier using natural baits such as shrimp, clams and squid as well as artificial baits such as jigs and spoons. Croakers make for excellent table fare and are often cooked whole as panfish. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: Atlantic croaker average about 12 inches in length and weigh up to four pound with the average fish weighing around two pounds. The distinguishing characteristics of the croaker include three to five pairs of small barbels on their chins to help them feel for food on the sea floor. They have a lateral line that extends to the tip of their tail fin and have a downward facing, sub-terminal mouth. Most croakers will have brown to olive vertical stripes on their sides. Adult specimens will typically have a pinkish to silver cast while younger fish are silvery and iridescent.The name ‘croaker’ is derived from the croaking noise that these fish make by vibrating their swim bladders with special muscles as part of their annual spawning rituals. During spawning season, females will release between 150,000 and 2 million eggs. After hatching, these larval fish will remain very near shore while they feed on detritus.