Let's discover the fauna of Lake Garda and the characteristics of some of the most common fish in the lake! 

AGONE (Alosa fallax lacustris)

The Agonus is a species that has been living on the lake bed for centuries, migrating to the coast in the summer. It is a rather small fish: no more than 40 cm long, it does not live more than 8 years. It moves in shoals, feeding on crustaceans, insects and plankton. In times of greatest famine, it was mainly fished for subsistence by the local population.

ALBORELLA (Alburnus)

Another of the smaller fish of Lake Garda is certainly the Alborella. It has been part of Lake Garda's gastronomic tradition for centuries, and has also played an important role in filling the food gap in times of crisis. Up to 15 cm long, it has a maximum weight of only 50 grams. Usually, the Alborella lives in groups and prefers the clearest and warmest waters. Like the shad, it feeds on plankton, insects and crustaceans.

ANGUILLA (Anguilla)

Here is one of the most feared fish in the lake: the elongated, serpentine-shaped eel. You will recognise it easily, not least because of its slimy exterior, due to its high mucus secretion. Curiosity: did you know that the Eel changes colour once it reaches sexual maturity? First the back will appear brown, with a belly tending to yellow. Later, the back will turn dark blue, while the belly will begin to appear an intense silver. However, it is difficult to see it during the day! The eel lives mainly at night.

CARPA (Cyprinus carpio)

The Carp is one of the largest fish in the whole of Lake Garda! Belonging to the Cyprinidae family, it can easily adapt to very different environments. It originates from China, but has been present in Italy since the Roman Empire. It feeds on insects, larvae and crustaceans. It usually lives in ponds or lakes with a low current and a muddy bottom. It can weigh up to 20 kg!

CAVEDANO O LASCA (Leuciscus cephalus)

Among the fish of Lake Garda, the chub is one of the easiest to find, because it often wanders close to the shore. It is omnivorous as a baby, predatory as an adult: it can weigh up to 4 kg. During spawning, chubs congregate in the shallowest depths and start chasing the females, which are much larger than the male fish.

COREGONE LAVARELLO (Coregonus lavaretus)

The Coregone Lavarello takes its name from the shape of its 'angled' pupil, its peculiar characteristic. It is an allochthonous species, which was introduced into Lake Garda at the beginning of the last century. It feeds mainly on plankton, molluscs and crustaceans. Whitefish meat is particularly valuable and delicate, as well as being very rich in Omega3!

LUCCIO (Exos Lucius)

One of the most famous fish of Lake Garda: ever heard of the dish 'Pike with Polenta'? Pike has been part of the lake's gastronomic tradition for a long time. Its size can vary considerably, so much so that you may even see a metre-long pike! It feeds mainly on invertebrates and small birds, rodents or water snakes.

PERSICO REALE (Perca fluviatilis)

The Royal Perch is a medium-sized fish, which up to 10 cm in length feeds on plankton and small organisms. When it grows to 50 cm, it becomes a hunter of bleak, its favourite 'meal'. By the way, when it is searching for food, you may notice in the water trails left by the fish as it chases its prey.

TINCA (Tinca)

The Tench is a fish that likes to take refuge in muddy bottom waters rich in vegetation. It has a yellowish green colour with golden highlights. It can weigh up to 4 kg and is recognisable by its black fins, with a small barb on the mouth.

TROTA LACUSTRE (Salmo trutta)

The trout is often also called the 'Queen among the fish of Lake Garda': an endemic species of the Benàco, it reproduces mainly near the Sarca river and on the Brescia shore. It feeds on small fish and can weigh up to 20 kg! Trout meat, together with that of Pike, is one of the most appreciated in the lake's gastronomic tradition. You will certainly have already heard of it.