A fishing water report by Michael Plakolb – Part 1
Located in the Enns Valley in Styria, Lake Putterersee is home to a variety of fish species for predatory and peaceful anglers, but passionate fly fishermen also get their money’s worth in the nearby Gulling stream! This year’s family fishing vacation in mid-September took us to the Aigen im Ennstal region in Styria. The program started with three days of predator and game fishing at the idyllic Putterersee, surrounded by the magnificent Ennstal Alps. The Landhotel-Gut Puttererseehof, a member of ABENTEUER FISCHWASSER, offers the perfect base for this and is fully equipped to meet the needs of fishing guests.
The hosts, the Dornbusch family, have privately owned the Putterersee lake and a beautiful fly-fishing route in the nearby “Gulling” stream for generations.
Cabin on the lake and rowing boat included
We were given our fishing licenses and a key for a cabin on the lake and for the rowing boat when we checked in. Cabin and boat on the lake are included for guests of the cozy Fischerhotel. A special “treat” for fishing hotel guests is the exclusive night fishing permit! Our fishing vacation started with a tour of the lake with our fishing guide Daniel. The late summer weather was still hot and many bathers lined the beach.
We looked for our cabin where we could stow our fishing gear. In addition to heavy carp ground rods, we had also packed a feeder rod and several spinning rods. Not to mention the other bits and bobs such as food, landing nets and accessories… But the cabin offered enough space.
Sea exploration with fisherman Daniel
Next, we went in search of our mobile water tank. There are around 10 rowing boats waiting for the anglers on a covered jetty. The wooden boats offer enough space for three anglers. Fishing in the bathing area is prohibited during bathing hours. However, you can fish from the boat from early in the morning until 9.00 pm. Own boats are prohibited, as is the use of a motor or echo sounder. Together with Daniel, we rowed out onto the 13-hectare moorland lake. The lake has a length of 0.5 km, a width of 0.3 km and a depth of 6 to 8 m, the subsoil is swampy/boggy. It is known for its excellent water quality. At 24 degrees, the water was still extremely warm for the time of year.
Low fishing pressure
Daniel told us a lot about the depth and terrain structure of the lake and, of course, about the fishing opportunities for the individual species. The fishing season on the lake lasts from mid-May to the end of October. Once a year there is also the opportunity to go ice fishing in winter. The fishing pressure on the water is manageable. The local anglers mainly fish for carp. Only a few younger ones, like Daniel, also go after predatory fish. Daniel prefers to fish for perch and zander with ultralight spinning rods.
From zander to catfish
Zander and perch are the most common predatory fish in Lake Putterer. Perch come in all sizes. Daniel’s “personal best” here is an impressive 46 cm. In previous years, it was possible to catch 20 or more of them per day. They were rarer this year. Perhaps due to the large catfish over 2 meters long. Hardly anyone fishes specifically for catfish here; these tend to be accidental catches when fishing for pike and zander. The average size for pike is 65 cm and for zander just under 50 cm.
Due to the muddy bottom, Daniel mainly fishes with small rubber fish and the drop-shot rig. Good results can be expected with the reed edges. Apart from the bathing beach area, the reeds line almost the entire lake. It is advisable to cast right to the edge of the reeds, as the fish lurk in this cooler area, especially in summer. Forage fish such as roach, rudd and bream are plentiful and it is therefore rather difficult to outwit predators that are saturated with them. As in other waters, late fall offers the best opportunities.
Carp weighing over 36kg!
Small perches
Text and photos: Michael Plakolb
Read part 2 to find out how successful the carp stalking was the next day.