Tourist Info 
The Patok-Fushëkuqe-Ishëm lagoon is located between the Mat River delta and Cape Rodon along the Adriatic coast, in Lezhë with an area of about 5,500.70 ha. The lagoon is in the category of protected areas, which also includes the Patok lagoon, now part of the "Patok-Fushë Kuqe-Ishëm" nature reserve, with an area of 2200 ha. It is a shallow lagoon and marshy area with abundant groundwater.
Among the most important areas are: the lagoon of Patok, the delta of the river Mat, Droja, the swamps of Godulla and Negli. In the plain between Laçi and the Patok lagoon, there are three remnants of the old littoral belts, on which the inhabited centers of Gore, Fushëkuqe, Patok were placed, to escape river floods or excessive humidity. The growth of the littoral zone starts from the capes or from the remnants of old river deltas, leading to the formation of sea bays and then coastal lagoons. In this sector, four generations of lagoons have been formed, following each other, as a result of blocking the connection and communication with the sea.
In the second half of the XX century, the ecosystem was affected and changed a lot by activities such as drainage, construction of dams and deforestation. While today there are still the houses with wooden piles and the paths of the bridges. At Patok Lagoon there is a boardwalk through the lagoon, with numerous restaurants. There is also a mooring for an excursion in the lagoon, in the bay of Cape Rodon.
The Patok-Fushëkuqe-Ishëm region is rich in wetlands and characteristic vegetation. Wetlands, wetlands and especially the Mat estuary support a significant number of waterfowl and are important for fish.
The variety of types of aquatic habitats and suitable subtropical climate have favored: the growth of a developed submerged, emergent (reeds, gravel) and forest, halophyte and sand dune vegetation. It is the only lagoon where the globally threatened species such as: numenius tennuirostris has been found, so it is included in the IBA (Important Bird Area), of special importance for the country as well as a place of food and shelter for the sea turtle. It is also an area where a typical halophytic vegetation of saline soils is found and one of the most important lagoons of the Mediterranean for: wading birds. Within this area, a small patch of root forest is still preserved, a wood almost disappearing in our country.
Fishing is another priority for the development of the area. The coast, the lagoon and the two rivers create suitable natural conditions for the development of fishing with great economic interest. Ecological tourism is one of the most important potentials for the development of the area, with its natural characteristics and the high variety of habitats such as: sea, lagoon, forest, rivers, agricultural land, etc. Of course, the rich biodiversity, with many groups of flora and fauna, as well as the existence of traditional agriculture and fishing, are the main factors for the development of eco-tourism in this area.
