Lake Garda Pike Protection Measures: New Restrictions and Safeguarding
For some years now, probably also thanks to the massive stocking efforts carried out by the Provincial Administration, the pike has become particularly abundant again in Garda.
It is therefore time to consider its safeguarding, especially now that it is in the reproductive phase. Until March 31, the pike fishing ban (which started on February 22) is in effect throughout Lake Garda. However, this is not a novelty, but a confirmation. Last year, in fact, with the new interprovincial fishing regulation coming into force, the period of catch prohibition for the species was significantly increased, from the previous 20 days to the current 38 days, which has been reaffirmed.
Innovations and restrictions during the ban period
But there is a new development: this year, also between February 22 and March 31, the setting of anti-net and anti-hook nets in the deeper lake zones less than 10 meters deep and within 100 meters from the reed beds has been prohibited, in addition to pike capture.
This is the first time such a ban has been instituted on Lake Garda and, consequently, it is not unlikely that, after careful technical evaluation of the results obtained in terms of species safeguarding across different locations, some modifications to this measure will need to be made in the future.
The measure aims to protect the reproduction of the pike, which occurs on shallow bottoms near reed beds and in the presence of lush aquatic vegetation. It should not be forgotten, however, that these nets also catch other species, such as perch and tench, which stay under 15 meters during this period and whose fishing is permitted by current legislation.
Restrictions on fishing gear usage
Furthermore, during this period, the use of any type of trolling gear within 100 meters from the wave breaker in the lake area upstream of Punta San Vigilio and within 500 meters downstream of Punta San Vigilio is also prohibited, always provided that the water depths are less than 30 meters.
“Regarding the pike,” specifies the Councilor for Wildlife-Environmental Protection, Camillo Pilati, “the Province has adopted over the years a series of measures and interventions that have yielded positive results. Stocking activities have been intensified and extended to the upper lake, which was previously completely neglected; protection regulations have been significantly increased, particularly affecting professional fishermen, who have seen the number of closed days double, the minimum capture size raised, and the use of specific nets for this species reduced.”
Of course, problems have not been lacking, but fortunately, the results at the end are not insurmountable. Additionally, amateur fishermen have contributed—and continue to contribute, according to Provincial experts—to the protection of this species by advocating for management interventions to the Provincial Administration.