Pike
Jerk fishing over the shallows and on the lake's spots, from April to January.
Pike · Zander · Wels catfish · Largemouth bass
Lake Varese fishing guide
I'm Manuel Bonetti, AIGUPP 320/25 certified fishing guide. On Lake Varese (Lago di Varese), in northern Italy, I take up to three guests out on the boat as a solo guide, fishing for pike, zander and wels catfish. Gear included.
Area14.95 km²
Max depth26 m
SeasonYear-round
SpeciesPike · Zander · Wels catfish · Largemouth bass
01 · The lake
Lake Varese
It is the smallest and shallowest of the three, with beautiful spots and plenty of Italian pike: here I go jerk fishing.
My base is in Gemonio, a few kilometres from the lake.
02 · Species
Lake Varese fish species
Zander
Vertical, with the lure dropped under the boat and worked with short jerks.
Wels catfish
The giant of the deep. Live bait from May to September, when it comes up looking for sizeable prey.
Largemouth bass
From mid-June to the end of March. The technique changes with the time of year: top water, jig, spinnerbait, crankbait, midstrolling and hover strolling, free rig, carolina rig and swimbait.
I'll advise you on the right season for each species when you book.
03 · 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.
04 · Rules
Lake Varese fishing rules and licence (2026)
On Lake Varese the fishing rules of the Lombardy Region apply. For the species we target:
Pike
- Minimum size
- 60 cm
- Closed season
- 1 February - 15 April
Zander
- Minimum size
- 40 cm
- Closed season
- 1 March - 15 May
Wels catfish
- Minimum size
- none
- Closed season
- none
Largemouth bass
- Minimum size
- 30 cm
- Closed season
- 15 April - 15 June
From the boat you can fish from one hour before dawn until one hour after sunset: at night, fishing is only allowed from the shore.
Wels catfish is a harmful non-native species: once caught, it may not be released back into the water.
You need a fishing licence, the FIPSAS card and the boat fishing permit, issued by the FIPSAS provincial section in Varese. I help with the paperwork before the session.
Source: Libretto regolamento 2026 del bacino 5 della Lombardia, FIPSAS Varese. Updated as of October 2026.
05 · Questions
Questions about fishing on Lake Varese
Can you fish on Lake Varese?
Yes, from the shore and from a boat. From a boat you need a fishing licence, the FIPSAS card and the permit from the FIPSAS provincial section in Varese. I help with the paperwork before the session.
When is pike season on Lake Varese?
Outside the closed season, which runs from 1 February to 15 April; the minimum size is 60 cm. The closed season for zander runs from 1 March to 15 May.
Can you fish for largemouth bass on Lake Varese?
Yes, from mid-June to the end of March: the closed season runs from 15 April to 15 June, the minimum size is 30 cm and you can keep at most two a day.
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.
06 · Book
Book a session on Lake Varese
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.
07 · Lakes
The other lakes
- Lake Maggiore fishing guide
Pike · Perch · Wels catfish
- Lake Orta fishing guide
Perch · Zander · Pike