Nils Hofer Vierwaldstätter lake fishery

Meggen

Over 33 varieties of fish live in the Vierwaldstättersee with its surface area of 114 square kilometres and depth of up to 214 metres. Nils Hofer’s fishing territories include zones at Merlischachen SZ, Meggen LU and St. Niklausen/Kastanienbaum LU. The first Hofer settled in Meggen LU as early as 1500. Nowadays, the revenues from the Vierwaldstättersee are shared between nine fishing companies in the five cantons of Lucerne, Schwyz, Uri und Ob- und Nidwalden.

From January to September, the nets are filled mostly with «Albeli», whitefish and «Röteli». To this end, the fishermen cast their nets one day in advance at a depth of 40 to 50 metres. The average daily catch is around 20 kilogrammes. In summer, the most productive season, the nets also fill up with European perch and «Balchen». In the spring these are joined by pikes, which are caught by placing funnel-shaped fish traps close to the lakeshore. Burbot and sea trout can be found all year-round as by-catch.