The main economic activity in Bagan Datuk is fishing. There are also, however, many coconut plantations nearby, visible along the road to Bagan Datuk from Teluk Intan.
There are also a few fishing villages scattered around Bagan Datuk, for example Sungai Tiang and Sungai Burong, and their corresponding seaside village Bagan Sungai Tiang and Bagan Sungai Burong. On the way from Teluk Intan there will be a few small township which are Hutan Melintang, Selekoh and Simpang Tiga. One popular spot for angling is Sungai Dulang, situated about 8 km from Bagan Datuk. It is famous for lobster fishing where an angler's night spent there could harvest up to 5 kilograms of lobsters.