Angling Techniques

catch & release fishing and NO KILL ZONES

Combining ambitious sports fishing with environmental protection, Catch & Release fishing, i.e. catching then immediately releasing the fish, offers both. This type of angling, with its limited environmental impact, is permitted in all waters in Garda Trentino. You can practise spinning with artificial lures or fly fishing with barbless baited hooks that will not harm the fish! Remember always to release the fish correctly: they must be released as quickly as possible; they must not be landed; and they must be unhooked in the water, making sure you wet your hands before you touch them! Meanwhile, in all NO KILL zones it is forbidden to keep caught fish – so pay attention to the signs!

UNRESTRICTED AREAS AND "READY TO FISH" ZONES

In Garda Trentino you will find many unrestricted areas where you can keep the fish you catch. Even in these areas, however, you must respect the minimum rules, no-fishing periods and catch limits set down for the various species. For example, if you catch a salmonid and keep it, you must immediately record it in the catch register, while other species must be recorded once you stop fishing. Unrestricted areas allow you to adopt different fishing techniques, including those using natural bait. Adult trout are also periodically released into the water, ready to be caught. These areas are called “ready-to-fish” zones – so it’s best to mark the dates on your calendar!

FLY FISHING

Rod, reel, mice-tail, flies and ties: this is the gear you will need for fly fishing! The technique takes its name from the bait used, which simulates an insect on the surface of the water. Unlike traditional angling, fly fishing uses a very light bait, requiring special casting skills to compensate for its light weight. The technique is as complex as it is effective: the art is to adapt both to the type of fish and to the location. Trout, grayling, char and pike are among the most frequently caught species – but are certainly not the only ones! Dry fly fishing, nymph fishing, streamer fishing – discover your favourite fly-fishing technique!

PIKE FISHING

Pike fishing can be practised in all of the lakes of Garda Trentino, but Lake Cavedine and Lake Terlago are among the best. Bear in mind, however, that in many waters this spectacular fish is highly protected: the daily and annual number of catches is limited and, in some places – NO KILL areas – they may not be kept. Make sure then that you use non-invasive fishing techniques so as not to harm the fish! And be prepared for a hard fight! The pike is in fact an aggressive predator that can exceed one metre in length and 10 kilos in weight: to catch one, you will need a strong rod and lines that can withstand hundreds of sharp teeth. Have you got the right gear ready?

CATCHING WHITEFISH

Concentration, a steady hand and a degree of sensitivity are all needed when fishing for whitefish – this is one of the most difficult freshwater techniques! You will not need a lot of equipment to try to catch the whitefish (or lavaret), however. This superb silver-coloured salmonid can be found in many lakes in the Garda Trentino region, including Lake Toblino, Lake Santa Massenza and Lake Cavedine. Different techniques can be used for catching whitefish: from the shore, bottom fishing is possible using a strong rod, heavy weights and a wet fly. When fishing from a boat, a short, very sensitive rod is used with a wet fly that is drawn from the bottom upwards to simulate nymphs rising to the surface. From the shore or from a boat – which technique do you prefer?

angling techniques