How to Find the Best Fishing Areas in Switzerland

Finding the best fishing spots in Switzerland has nothing to do with pure luck. Anglers who regularly catch good fish rely on reading the water, knowing the species, the weather, the seasons and official maps. In this article, we’ll look step by step at how to identify truly productive areas on Swiss lakes, rivers and mountain lakes, while staying fully legal and aligned with modern fishing ethics.

To go further when choosing tackle and rigs adapted to each situation, you can also rely on the specialist resources and products available on GiantFish, a Swiss site dedicated to modern fishing.

Understanding the Swiss context before looking for ‘the perfect spot’

Before even talking about spots, you need to take on board two realities of fishing in Switzerland:

1. Very strict and variable cantonal regulations
   Each canton sets its own rules: minimum sizes, quotas, closed seasons, types of hooks allowed, no-fishing areas, etc.
   For example, the canton of Vaud recently changed minimum sizes, daily trout quotas, and has banned the use of double and treble hooks in rivers from 2026 onwards to better protect fish stocks.
   In Valais, some areas are completely closed due to natural hazards (landslides, exclusion zones).

2. Permit system and SaNa certificate
   In most cantons, an annual permit valid for more than one month requires the SaNa competence certificate, an official course on angling ethics and the humane killing of fish.
   On some lakes (Morat/Murten, Neuchâtel), ‘free fishing’ without a permit is possible, but only under very specific and limited conditions.

Before every trip, systematically check:

• The website of the cantonal fishing authority where you plan to fish (Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Geneva, Bern, etc.).
• The interactive maps of fishing sectors and reserves where available.
• Any annual changes to the federal ordinance and implementing regulations.

Reading a Swiss lake to find the most productive areas

The large Swiss lakes (Geneva/Léman, Neuchâtel, Morat/Murten, Brienz, Thun, Lucerne, etc.) and mountain lakes such as Oeschinensee are true inland seas. To avoid fishing ‘in empty water’, focus on a few key types of structure.

1. Drop-offs and depth changes

Drop-offs – sharp transitions from shallow to deep water – often concentrate baitfish and their predators (perch, pike, lake trout, whitefish).

To locate them:

• Use a fishfinder/sonar if you are fishing from a boat.
• Study the bathymetric maps available for some lakes (cantonal offices, fishing clubs, associations).
• From the bank, look for:
  • Rocky slopes running down into the water
  • Steep depth changes near quays or breakwaters
  • Edges of old submerged riverbeds

On Lake Geneva, for example, deep water arrives very close to shore on some banks, which creates drop-offs right under your feet for targeting pike and whitefish.

2. River mouths and inflows

River mouths are among the best spots in the country:

• They bring in oxygen and food.
• Water temperature can differ (cooler in summer).
• They act as migration corridors for lake trout, Arctic char, etc.

In winter and early in the season, lake trout and other salmonids can concentrate around unfrozen river mouths to feed or to run upstream to spawn.

Tip:

• In summer, fish early in the morning or late in the evening.
• In winter, focus on the milder hours of the day.

3. Weedbeds, shoals and plateaus

Weedbeds are key areas for perch, pike and sometimes zander:

• They provide cover for baitfish.
• They are spawning grounds.
• They filter the water, so there is more life.

On lakes like Geneva or Neuchâtel, trophy pike are regularly caught close to large weedbeds, especially in spring and autumn.

Target:

• Edges of shallow areas covered in weed.
• ‘Holes’ in the weed (feeding windows).
• Transitions between weed and bare bottom.

4. Shaded areas, man‑made structures and harbours

Man‑made structures act like reefs:

• Bridge pillars, rock armouring, quays, harbours, pontoons.
• Groynes and anti‑erosion breakwaters.

These features provide:

• Cover for fish.
• Current breaks (on wind‑swept lakes).
• Substrate for invertebrates and small fish.

Harbours and their surroundings are often excellent perch spots, especially where fishing pressure is moderate.

5. Mountain lakes: clear water, steep relief

Swiss mountain lakes (Oeschinensee, Bernese, Valais and Grisons lakes, etc.) are famous for their crystal-clear waters and their trout, Arctic char and rainbow trout.

To find good areas:

• Target rocky drop‑offs and scree slopes plunging into the water.
• Look for underwater springs or stream inflows.
• Search for plateaus close to the bank that drop off sharply.

On Oeschinensee, for example:

• Lake trout (truite canadienne) and Arctic char are often taken ledgering natural bait or casting from the bank near bottom breaks.
• Rainbow trout respond well to the Buldo bubble float, cone fishing and certain permitted multi‑hook rigs (“gambes”).

Finding the best river and stream areas

Switzerland offers an impressive network of alpine rivers and trout streams. To really make a difference, you need to learn how to read current seams.

1. Targeting current seams

In rivers, trout and grayling (where fishing for them is still allowed) rarely hold in the middle of uniform fast current. They prefer:

• Current edges.
• Back‑eddies.
• Slack water just behind a fast current tongue.

Look for:

• Head of riffles: the start of deeper runs, often rich in oxygen.
• Pools below falls, small weirs and steps.
• Gentle eddies behind boulders, roots and branches.

Even on heavily fished rivers, these micro‑spots can still hold very good fish.

2. Meanders, undercut banks and obstacles

On medium‑sized rivers (Sarine, Broye, Allondon, etc.):

• Meanders create cut banks (erosion, strong current) and depositional banks (slow current, finer substrate).
• Trout like to position themselves just downstream of obstacles (rocks, sunken trees, bridge pillars).

Target:

• Undercut banks, exposed roots, undercut margins.
• Current returns forming slack pockets.

3. Regulated areas, reserves and actively managed sectors

Several cantons have clearly defined fishing sectors, with active reserves and specific stretches:

• In Geneva, the official map distinguishes many sectors on the Rhône, Arve, Allondon, Versoix, etc., as well as dedicated ponds like Bouvières, Richelien and La Touvière, which are regularly stocked with rainbow trout according to a precise annual schedule.
• In Valais, interactive maps show areas closed to access (for example in the Lötschental due to a landslide) and river sections closed to fishing until further notice.

This information is essential to:

• Avoid fines.
• Target sectors that are maintained, monitored and sometimes stocked.
• Benefit from a higher fish density.

Factoring in season and weather when choosing the right area

Even the best spot can be empty at the wrong time. To increase your chances, match your fishing areas to the seasons and conditions.

1. Winter and early season

In cold water:

• Fish are less active, more tightly grouped and often deeper.
• On lakes, target:
  • Deep drop‑offs.
  • The main basin.
  • Margins close to big depths.
• On rivers, focus on:
  • Deep, slow pools.
  • Areas with moderate current and clean bottom.

Lake trout and char can concentrate near unfrozen river mouths or run up them to spawn until early winter.

2. Spring

At snowmelt:

• The water is often coloured and colder in torrents.
• On lakes, the sectors that warm up fastest (shallow bays, sunny mouths) become magnets for baitfish and therefore for predators.
• On rivers, fish reposition to:
  • Pool heads.
  • Current edges enriched with food.

This is often a very good time for targeting pike from the bank on Lake Geneva and other large lakes, strictly respecting the closed seasons set by the cantons.

3. Summer

In summer:

• The water in big lakes becomes stratified (distinct temperature layers).
• Many species seek cooler, well‑oxygenated water.

Target:

• Starts of deeper basins close to plateaus (thermocline break zone).
• Mouths of cool inflowing streams.
• Shaded areas and shores exposed to the wind.

In the mountains, lakes such as Oeschinensee offer excellent summer fishing early in the morning or late in the day, particularly for rainbow trout on the Buldo and lake trout on bottom‑fished natural bait.

4. Autumn

Autumn is often the best season for:

• Big pike on large lakes.
• Lake trout moving closer to tributaries.

Strategies:

• Target shoals of baitfish along drop‑offs.
• Work areas close to river mouths while respecting river closures and protection periods.

Using modern tools: maps, apps, official data

Swiss anglers now have very powerful tools to find good areas before even casting a line.

1. Cantonal interactive maps

Several cantons offer interactive fishing maps:

• In Valais, digital maps show beats, protection zones and closed sections (such as the Lonza in the landslide zone).
• In Geneva, an official map details river sectors open to fishing and authorised ponds, with stocking information.
• In Fribourg, maps of leased beats and the rules for free fishing on Lakes Morat/Murten and Neuchâtel are available online.

These maps allow you to:

• Quickly visualise authorised areas.
• Target practical access points.
• Prepare your approach according to terrain and obstacles.

2. Apps and weather data

To optimise your choice of spots:

• Use fishing‑oriented weather apps (wind, pressure, cloud cover).
• Check data on:
  • Wind (its effect on drifts and wind‑blown banks).
  • Lake and river levels (national hydrology websites).
  • Water temperature where published (some cantons or lakes do this).

The combination of water level + wind + season is often a key clue:

• Low water: fish are more concentrated in holes and along drop‑offs.
• Strong wind on one bank: food is pushed to that shore, so activity increases.

Considering stocking and fisheries management

In Switzerland, many waters are actively managed by cantonal services and anglers’ federations.

1. Stocked ponds and lakes

Ponds such as Bouvières, Richelien and La Touvière in Geneva are regularly stocked with rainbow trout according to a precise schedule published by the canton, with monthly releases outside the summer period when temperatures are too high.

What this means for you:

• Right after stocking, these ponds can be very productive, especially for beginners or family outings.
• In the medium term, some areas of these ponds remain more favourable (depths, inflows, obstacles, less‑pressured banks).

2. Managed mountain lakes

Iconic lakes such as Oeschinensee are managed by the canton of Bern and subject to specific regulations:

• Fishing only with a permit (no free fishing).
• Reminder of allowed techniques (bank fishing, rowing boats, ice fishing) and the obligation to comply with cantonal fishing regulations.

Find out about:

• The species present.
• Stocking practices.
• Specific restrictions (closed areas, access times, natural hazards).

Legal and ethical aspects: ‘interesting’ but prohibited areas

Looking for ‘the best area’ does not mean breaking the rules. Some very fish‑rich areas are deliberately closed or strictly regulated.

1. Areas closed for safety or protection reasons

Examples:

• In Valais, access and fishing are banned on a section of the Lonza and its tributaries in the landslide zone above the Ferdensee by official decision, until further notice.
• On some lakes or river sections, areas are designated as no‑take reserves or restricted‑access sectors to protect wildlife.

2. Sensitive spawning areas

Swiss regulations are regularly strengthened to protect fish:

• Extension of closed seasons for pike on some lakes (for example, in the canton of Vaud, a protection period from 20 March to 20 April with adjusted trout quotas).
• Bans on certain types of hooks (double and treble hooks in rivers) to reduce injuries to fish, especially salmonids.

To keep a responsible and ethical approach:

• Strictly respect closed seasons.
• Minimise disturbance on spawning grounds (shallow gravel areas in rivers, lake margins in spring).
• Release undersized fish or those above your quota carefully, even where catch and release is not specifically promoted by law.

Learning from other anglers: field feedback and community resources

To locate the best areas, nothing beats first‑hand feedback:

• Forums, Facebook groups and Reddit/Quora discussions about ‘fishing in Switzerland’ often revolve around questions such as:
  • Which lakes to start on in French‑speaking Switzerland?
  • Where to fish for trout without too much walking?
  • How to read Lake Geneva for pike?
  • Where is free fishing without SaNa allowed?
• The answers almost always highlight:
  • The need to read cantonal maps.
  • The importance of river mouths, drop‑offs, harbours and weedbeds.
  • The role of season and fishing pressure.

Combine this community information with:

• Your own observations.
• Your fishing log (date, exact place, weather, water level, technique, results).
• Specialist resources and suitable gear, such as those you’ll find on GiantFish for modern fishing in Switzerland.

Turning theory into practice: building your own map of hot spots

To really find – and keep – your best fishing areas in Switzerland, follow a step‑by‑step approach.

1. Preparation before a session

• Choose a specific canton / body of water.
• Download or consult:
  • The up‑to‑date fishing regulations.
  • Sector maps and any closed areas.
• Identify on the map:
  • Drop‑offs, river mouths, harbours, shoals.
  • Easy access points and parking areas.

2. Reading the water on site

Once you are on the water or on the bank:

• Observe:
  • The wind and wave action.
  • The water colour.
  • Feeding activity (perch or trout chasing on the surface, diving birds).
• Make a few search casts, varying:
  • Distances.
  • Depths (count the descent of your lure/weight).
  • Retrieves.

Note every bite, follow or sign of activity, and record the exact position.

3. Building your own personal database

After each trip:

• Write down in a notebook or app:
  • Exact area (GPS coordinates if possible).
  • Approximate depth.
  • Bottom type (rock, sand, silt, weed).
  • Species caught, sizes, technique used.
  • Weather and water conditions.

After one season, you’ll have your own map of hot spots, often more accurate than anything shared online.

Letting your spots evolve over the years

The best fishing areas in Switzerland change over time:

• Regulation changes (seasons, quotas, gear restrictions).
• Water level or temperature variations due to climate.
• Natural events (landslides, slips, floods) that can close certain sectors.
• Increased fishing pressure on ‘fashionable’ spots.

To stay effective:

• Stay updated each year on new cantonal and federal decrees.
• Revisit your old spots with a critical eye: changed depths, weedbeds gone or newly established, new obstacles, etc.
• Regularly test new sectors using the same reading rules (drop‑offs, mouths, structures, season).

Going further: turning every trip into progress

Finding the best fishing areas in Switzerland is not just about ‘knowing the right spots’: it’s about learning to understand the water. By combining:

• Knowledge of cantonal and federal regulations.
• Reading of structure (lakes, rivers, mountain lakes).
• Use of modern tools (interactive maps, weather, bathymetry).
• Feedback from fishing communities and your own logbook.

…you’ll be able to find productive areas on almost any Swiss water without depending on other people’s ‘secret spots’.

To maximise your results on these spots and adapt your approach to the conditions on the day (types of lures, rigs, sizes and colours, lines, etc.), draw on the expertise and specialist gear available from GiantFish, the Swiss reference for modern fishing: equipment, tips and inspiration to make your sessions a success anywhere in Switzerland.