Five Lined Skink

Hi annorion,
It is a juvenile and without looking at the scales beneath the tail and on the face, it is indestinguishable. It could be one of three species that look identical at that size:
Plestiodon fasciatus - Common Five-lined Skink
Plestiodon inexpectatus - Southeastern Five-lined Skink
Plestiodon laticeps - Broad-headed Skink

Here is a good reference site from a friend of mine that can help you with future spottings:
http://www.louisianaherps.com/

Thanks Karen and Helena! I had considered a juvenile broad-headed but I don't typically see those as close to water as this fellow was. If Lisa knows of a way to tell the difference would love to know.

Nice spot Ann! It could also be a juvenile broad-headed skink as they are almost indistinguishable from the 5-lined. Lisa Powers will be able to confirm.
Helena, the blue-tailed skink is an Australian species.

Close, but it's really actually a BLUE TAILED skink. ;)