Lake Shelby - Gulf State ParkLake Shelby, at 750 acres, is the largest of three freshwater bodies of water in Gulf State Park. The ponds are fed by underground springs. The water from Gulf State Park eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico.Lake Shelby is believed to be the closest body of freshwater to saltwater in the world. Whether that is true or not, I don't think anybody could definitely say; what we can be sure of is that few places in the world offer the fisherman the opportunity to fish in the sea for saltwater fish, and then walk across the street to Lake Shelby and fish for freshwater species like bass and bluegills. The lake water has an unusual color to it that varies from light brown to red, depending on water depth and sunlight. This is the result of the tannin in the water that occurs as a product of decaying vegetation.
The total acreage of the three ponds, which are connected by canals, is approximately 900 acres. The two other bodies of water are Middle and Little Lakes; however, most coastal residents refer to the entire lake system as "Shelby." The ponds are teeming with wildlife, including a large alligator population. Although the ponds are considered freshwater, there is enough salinity to support some saltwater fish species, and there are plenty of saltwater fish in the lakes. During strong hurricanes saltwater fish are pushed into the park when storm surge raises the water level to the point where the park water is temporarily a part of the Gulf of Mexico. When sea levels get back to normal, the park is left with redfish, flounder, trout and other saltwater species. No doubt, saltwater fish enter the ponds in other ways. Fishermen will sometimes turn fish loose in one place that they have caught in another. Also, the water from the park usually flows into the saltwater of Little Lagoon. At times the flow is reversed. When the flow reverses saltwater fishing is great from the bridge on Hwy 135 (inside Gulf State Park.) Even without hurricanes, there is enough salinity in the sand of Lake Shelby to support some saltwater species. The saltwater intrusion from hurricanes is good for saltwater species, but bad for freshwater species. The extra salinity kills a lot of fish. After strong hurricanes like Ivan it takes time to build the freshwater population up to pre-hurricane levels. Some of the freshwater species that you can catch in Lake Shelby are bass, bluegills, shellcrackers, and catfish.  To fish in the park, you need a fishing license, a park permit and a fishing permit. If you plan on fishing saltwater also while you are on vacation, you can buy a combination saltwater and freshwater fishing license. The park has two boat launches. If you don't have a boat, fishing is good from the bank. During the warm weather months, I like to wade in the sandy areas at the park area-- it gets me closer to the fish and cools me off at the same time. Inside the park area are restrooms, a beach for swimming, picnic tables (with shade) and during peak season a concession stand. The concession stand sells bait (The concession stand has always had bait when I needed it, but check before entering that park.)
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