The best places to fish in Basilicata

Basilicata is a region in southern Italy that boasts excellent fishing spots, both in fresh water and at sea. In 2019 it will be in the spotlight for Matera, elected European Capital of Culture. Probably, given the tourist flows expected for the event, it will also be the subject of visits by fishermen who will take advantage of the summer holidays to discover a very picturesque corner of Italy together with their family, without forgetting the fishing rod in the luggage rack.

Basilicata, also called Lucania, offers space not only for culture, art and the delights of the palate, but also for recreational activities such as sport fishing. So we set off on a journey that will take us to four spots, three fresh water and one salt water, worthy of a visit during a tour of Basilicata from coast to coast.

San Giuliano Lake in Matera

Lake San Giuliano is an artificial dam created by damming the Bradano river. It is located a few kilometers from Matera, is easy to access the banks and, above all, offers wonderful, typically hilly scenery. Furthermore, part of the lake is a WWF reserve, so there is good attention to decorum and respect for aquatic species, with regular checks by fisheries wardens.

Lake San Giuliano is particularly rich in fish such as rudd, bream, bleak, crucian carp, carp, chub, perch but, above all, black bass! The largemouth is the main attraction of Lake San Giuliano, which must be fished before the spawning period (mid-April - end of May), with silicone lures such as worms and insect imitations.

In recent years, considerable interest has also developed in carp fishing, which can be practiced both day and night, which aims to catch respectable carp, capable of exceeding 15 kg despite the young biological age of the reservoir. Among the best places to fish, we suggest the area adjacent to the earthen dam and the area of the submerged bridge, next to the Assiolo farmhouse.

At both points there is enough space to leave the car and go down comfortably along the banks of the lake. The best techniques are spinning, ledgering fishing, match fishing and fixed rod fishing. Possession of a type B license is required and there are no other requirements to complete.

Lake Basentello

Still remaining in the northernmost Basilicata, we focus our attention on a small reservoir halfway between Puglia and Lucania: Lake Basentello or Lake Serra del Corvo. It originates from the damming of the Basentello stream and has a V shape with the union of two lake branches, the first from Puglia and the other from Lucania. In spring, Lake Basentello offers wonderful views, similar to Scottish panoramas with green hills kissed by the wind. Not only that... Lake Basentello is also a reservoir rich in fish, and the subject of numerous competitions. The prey consists of crucian carp, rudd, carp, perch and bream.

The most popular techniques are fishing with a fixed rod, roubaisienne and English fishing. The fish must be caught quickly, one after the other, obtaining good bags even weighing more than 5 kg in a few hours. The recommended bank is the southern one, reachable by car after passing the dam. Here, turning right, it will be possible to come across a poorly asphalted road that will lead directly to the bank.

You can park easily, leaving your fishing equipment and also stay in the area for an outdoor picnic. A fishing itinerary, therefore, for those who want to explore the Murgia Appulo-Lucana, not far from Matera, on the road that leads to the infamous Monticchio lakes (where, however, fishing is not very practiced). Only a type B license is required.

Lake of Monte Cotugno

Let's move further south, to the side of the Sinni river in the province of Potenza. Here lies one of the most beautiful spots in southern Italy and all of Basilicata. Lake Monte Cotugno is the first earthen dam in Europe, the second in the world. This is an artificial lake among the largest in Italy, which has the purpose of supplying water to the "siticulosa Apulia", or drought-ridden Puglia, translating the words of the Lucanian poet Orazio Flacco.

In addition to guaranteeing excellent opportunities for fishermen, Lake Monte Cotugno (also known as the Senise dam) allows you to practice water sports such as rowing. It is populated by crucians, some bream, rudd, good-sized carp, chub, bluegill, black bass and eels.

The techniques that yield the most are English fishing, fishing with a fixed rod and spinning for black bass. The first two must be practiced in the area of the former competition field, which is located on the Senise side, near the former sports field. The seabed slopes slowly, so the depth is not accentuated and is well suited to fishing with the two aforementioned techniques.

Black bass fishing, however, is usually practiced in the bends that make up the lake, intersected by the "sinnica" or the state road that runs along the lake. A type B license is required and no other requirements are required.

The beaches of Maratea and the mouth of the Noce river

Traveling along the road that leads from Monte Cotugno to the Tyrrhenian Sea, we arrive in Maratea, the pearl of the South. Maratea is a renowned holiday resort in summer, with thousands of bathers crowding the beaches, leaving a stretch of coast free that is very profitable for fishing thoroughly and Bolognese. In spring, autumn and winter, this spot becomes a destination for many enthusiasts who want to compete with interesting prey, such as sea bass, bluefish, sea bream, mullet and sea bream.

We are talking about the mouth of the Noce river in Castrocucco di Maratea, a town a little further south, on the border with Calabria. The spot has a pebbly beach, interspersed with the mouth of the Noce which brings a good contribution of fresh water, capable of bringing many predators (and others) closer to the coast.

Getting there is very simple, just park in Tortora Marina and walk to the mouth of the river or leave the car in Castrocucco and travel a little further with your backpack on your shoulder and rods under your arm. The fishing possibilities are varied but the best approach is twofold: bottom fishing with standard rigs, equipped with lead and snag, or disposable lead and two armrests.

Alternatively, for those who love Bolognese, there is fishing right at the mouth, where the fresh waters mix with the salty ones. With the right sea conditions, the sea bass will be on the hunt, and will be able to provide excitement to those who know how to take advantage of the rising tide phases and barometric drops.

The journey to the best places to fish in Basilicata has ended. Now it's up to you to go fishing and, who knows, catch the catch of your dreams!