This paper investigates the molecular and stable isotope compositions of sediment gases from seven coastal lakes along the southern Baltic coast in Poland. The aim is to extend the knowledge of the genesis and distribution of microbial gases in the zone of mixing of fresh and salt waters with special attention to the effect of salinity, climate-related seasonality, and vertical sediment mixing. We found differences in the compositions of gas between the studied lakes and within each lake. These differences are mainly controlled by lake water depth and the presence of macrophytes. Due to the dissolution of rising bubbles in highly oxygenated water, the concentrations of CH 4 and CO 2 show up to 67% decline along the water column in favor of N 2 and O 2 . On the other hand, in vegetated parts of the lakes, the CH 4 is depleted in favor of CO 2 , and the residual CH 4 and CO 2 are enriched in 13 C. Despite the fact that the coastal lakes display highly oxidizing conditions in the water column and that the bottom sediments are mixed by wind waves the CH 4 reveals rather low oxidation. On the basis of the CH 4 /N 2 ratio we established that there are differences in the intensity of ebullition throughout the lakes. Higher intensities of ebullition were found in shallower parts of the lakes. Salinity has no effect on the stable C and H isotope composition of sediment gas. It seems, however, that salinity affects the molecular composition of hydrocarbons via preferential oxidation of CH 4 under higher salinity conditions.