09/10/2026
Everybody knows the Gulf side of Gulf Shores.
But turn around from the beach and there's another body of water that has shaped life here for generations.
Little Lagoon.
Stretching roughly eight miles, Little Lagoon runs behind the western portion of Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism describes it as generally between one-half and three-quarters of a mile wide.
And it isn't simply a freshwater lake sitting beside the Gulf.
Little Lagoon contains brackish water influenced by both freshwater drainage and saltwater moving through Little Lagoon Pass. Its salinity can change depending on tides and conditions at the pass.
That creates productive habitat for fish.
Speckled trout.
Redfish.
Flounder.
White trout.
Croakers.
For generations, fishing Little Lagoon has been part of Gulf Shores life, and it remains popular today. When conditions offshore aren't cooperating, the lagoon can provide anglers with a more protected alternative.
Little Lagoon Pass is especially important because it provides the lagoon's connection to the Gulf. The pass is periodically dredged to help maintain water movement and water quality.
It's funny how easy Little Lagoon is to overlook.
Millions of visitors arrive focused entirely on the white sand and Gulf of America.
Meanwhile, just behind the beach is an eight-mile waterway with its own ecosystem, fishing traditions, waterfront communities and history.
Gulf Shores has always been more than the strip of sand facing the Gulf.
Sometimes you just have to turn around.
