Lake Bolsena is located in the center of Italy, in the north of the Lazio region. It is also known as Lake Vulsinio as it lies in a crater basin in the middle of Vulsini mountains. It is the biggest Italian volcanic lake; in fact, it has a surface area of 114 km2
and a
maximum depth of 146 meters. It is located at 305 meters above sea level; it has an oval shape and it is 12 km wide and 14 km long. It probably originated after the fusion of some of the craters in the area, whose walls probably eroded with the passing of the decades. Almost without affluents, the lake is fed by rainfall, a consistent part which is absorbed by the surrounding permeable lands. There is only one discharge, Marta River, which empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea, not far from Tarquinia. The lake is also supplied by bottom aquifers. Generally speaking, the complete water turnover takes about 121 years. The lake is surrounded by hills covered
with oaks and chestnuts. Its waters are rich in huge filamentous weeds; hornwort and spirulina weed beds which, in specific areas, extend for hundreds of meters (mainly in summer). In the middle of the lake two small islands rise: the island of Martana (0.10 km2 the island of Bisentina (0.17 km2
) and ), which
are probably the remnants of old craters. Because of the presence of those two islands and of many other submerged ridges and depressions, the lake has an irregular bottom: in the North, it descends gradually, in the East it reaches great depths even near to the shores, and, in the South and in the West there is a large plane. Furthermore, if we compare the bottom surrounding the two islands, many differences can be pointed out: the island of Martana has a constant depth of 10 meters, whereas around the island of Bisentina the average depth is 81 meters, but it can also reach 151 meters. The specific microclimate encourages flora to thrive (above all in the islands), and it allows plane trees, eucalyptus, horse chestnuts, umbrella trees, citron trees and palms to grow. Besides those plants, there also are poplars, willows, alders and ash trees as well as plants with submerged roots and aerial stems, among which cane thickets prevail.
LAKE BOTTOM & FISHING..
The bottom of the lake, where mud and organic material are almost absent, is made up of a very good quality of sand, a mix of extremely small lava and volcanic tuff, crystals and iron minerals. There is also widespread hydrothermal
activity and many natural gas sources, thermal waters (up to 40°C) and highly scaling mineral waters. The water’s clarity and good oxygenation, which make it drinkable and light, explain the photosynthetic activity which still takes place at a 30-meter depth, where there is a variety of phytoplankton species. For this reason, the water is very transparent and clear,
Common practise.. A superb Bolsena common of over 20kg
thus allowing solar rays to reach very great depths. The transparency of the water, above all
in summer, gives us the chance, if we use polarized glasses or the bathyscope, to see carp on the bottom of the lake, to check if they have eaten our baits and to verify if the rig has been put in the right position amongst the weed, even beyond a 10-meter depth. There is a rich micro fauna hidden
among the weeds, not least small snails and crayfish, which constitute an essential source of nutrition for carp. We need to pay special attention to those
specific factors, bearing in mind that it is in those areas where carp will certainly find not only food but also an excellent shelter from predators and humans. This is even more important if we consider that 90% of the bottoms of lakes which are suitable for fishing, often have no obstacles and that there are many professional fishermen who fish with nets as well as poachers who dip into the water to spear carp. One of the few areas of the lake
characterized by a rocky bottom is the one which lies between Marta, Capodimonte (the edge) and Bisenzio hill. Even in winter, it remains the most productive part of the lake, because carp can find good shelter here along with a good quantity of food, even when it is cold. Other places not to be underestimated are the ports: Marta, Capodimonte and Bolsena, where carp
‘When it is very windy, fishing in this lake may become extremely dangerous as very high waves may originate’
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love to stay for long periods because those areas are generally free from nets and offer good shelter when there is a strong wind blowing. Many carp choose the ports also for spawning, which begins at the end of May for small carp and lasts until July for the bigger ones. Another area which is often chosen by
carp for spawning is about 200 meters away from Bisenzio hill (right side, towards Capodimonte). In spring, there is a thick weed bed there, about one hundred meters long, where big carp shoals gather in the mating season. Yet, in this period, other important spots are located in the western part of the lake where, as already pointed out, the bottom descends gradually and the shores are surrounded by cane thickets. In order to carry out correct and safe
fishing, it is advisable to use a rubber dinghy or a sound boat, as well as a lifejacket. When it is very windy, fishing in this lake may become extremely dangerous as very high waves may originate. In such cases, besides a sound boat, what is really needed is an outboard motor. We have had the chance to fish in many big lakes, but be
Bellisimo! Sandro and Emi with a brace of Bolsena beauties
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