"Jump in anytime; the water's fine" in Big Pine, Key West and the lower Florida Keys, says
David Lewis of Bluewater Plumbing Key West, my favorite plumber in the the Florida Keys.

Don’t be put off by the name “Mosquito” Lagoon – this popular Florida fishing destination has no more of the pesky insects than any other part of Florida – and once you’re aboard and away from shore you’re not likely to fall prey to any mosquitoes at all. But the denizens of the lagoon are likely to fall prey to you! This part of the Indian River lagoon offers such a rich biodiversity that it has become the most popular inshore fishing area in all of Florida. The lagoon system is home to the only redfish population that lives its entire life inshore – and there is also a large number of speckled trout in the lagoon, another species very popular with Florida anglers, says lagoon fishing guide, Captain Karty Sills. (www.captkarty.com) The lagoon and the wildlife refuge that surrounds it is a wildlife destination in its own right – a huge variety of birds are found here – in addition to the aquatic species -- sandpipers, gulls, terns, herons, egrets, ibis, stork, spoonbills, kingfishers, loons, pelicans and cormorants – there are populations of birds of prey -- hawks, osprey, falcons, and owls, -- as well as more common birds such as mockingbirds, warblers, woodpeckers and doves. Wild dolphin and manatee make the lagoon their home and on land there are deer, bobcats, panthers --- and alligators, of course. .