Pike
Casting with XXL lures for big pike. Then spinning in the top metres of water, when the pike is hunting actively, and baitcasting with heavy lures on submerged structure, when it holds on the bottom.
Pike · Perch · Wels catfish
Lake Maggiore fishing guide
I'm Manuel Bonetti, AIGUPP 320/25 certified fishing guide. On Lake Maggiore, in northern Italy, I take up to three guests out on the boat as a solo guide, fishing for pike, perch and wels catfish. Gear included.
Area212 km²
Max depth372 m
SeasonJune to January
SpeciesPike · Perch · Wels catfish
01 · The lake
Lake Maggiore
It is the largest of the three lakes I work on and stretches across Piedmont, Lombardy and the Canton of Ticino. Extreme depths, varied structure and a significant pike population. Here I mainly go casting with XXL lures for big pike.
My base is in Gemonio, in the province of Varese, a few kilometres from the Lombardy shore.
02 · Species
Lake Maggiore fish species
Perch
Aggressive shoals on deep structure. Vertical and drop-shot, with the lure dropped under the boat.
Wels catfish
The giant of the deep. Live bait in summer, when it comes up looking for sizeable prey.
I'll advise you on the right season for each species when you book.
03 · Catches
Catches on Lake Maggiore
04 · The session
How a session works
- Duration
- At least 5 hours. In summer a session can run to 10 hours, in winter to 8. We agree the exact length together when you book.
- On board
- Solo guide, up to three guests. I run the boat: I pick the spots for the season and set up the technique.
- Departure
- We decide the launch point together nearer the time, based on the lake and the conditions on the day. The boat travels on its trailer.
- Gear
- Rods, reels, lures, nets and the catch logbook are on board. You bring weather-appropriate clothing, polarised sunglasses if you have them and your documents for the licences.
- Beginners
- I often work with people on their first sessions. We start from the basics, from casting to landing the catch. You don't need to have fished before.
- Bad weather
- If strong wind or storms make fishing dangerous, we reschedule the session at no cost. I make the call the evening before, based on the forecast.
- Release
- I recommend catch and release for trophy fish, always within the rules of the lake.
05 · Rules
Lake Maggiore fishing rules and licence (2026)
In the Italian waters of Lake Maggiore, the Italian-Swiss Fishing Convention and the ordinances of the Italian Commissioner apply. For the species we target:
Pike
- Minimum size
- 45 cm
- Closed season
- 15 March - 31 May
Perch
- Minimum size
- 18 cm
- Closed season
- 15 March - 31 May
Wels catfish
- Minimum size
- none
- Closed season
- none
From the boat you can fish from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
Wels catfish is an invasive species: in the Italian waters of the lake, once caught, it may not be released back into the water.
You need a fishing licence, the FIPSAS card and the boat fishing permit. I help with the paperwork before the session.
Source: Libretto pesca 2026 della Provincia del Verbano Cusio Ossola, acque italiane del Lago Maggiore. Updated as of October 2026.
06 · Questions
Questions about fishing on Lake Maggiore
Do you need a fishing licence on Lake Maggiore?
Yes. You need a fishing licence, the FIPSAS card and, to fish from a boat, the boat fishing permit. I help with the paperwork before the session.
When is pike season on Lake Maggiore?
Outside the closed season: in the Italian waters of the lake, pike, perch and zander are out of season from 15 March to 31 May. Wels catfish has no closed season.
Is it a fishing charter?
I run the boat, as on a charter, but you are booking a fishing guide: I pick the spots for the season, set up the technique and we handle the catch together.
07 · Book
Book a session on Lake Maggiore
Message me on WhatsApp with the date and the species you're after. In the warm months book two weeks ahead. I reply within 24 hours.
08 · Lakes
The other lakes
- Lake Orta fishing guide
Perch · Zander · Pike
- Lake Varese fishing guide
Pike · Zander · Wels catfish · Largemouth bass