Torri del Benaco, today a renowned tourist destination, has thrived for centuries thanks to its deep connection with the lake and fishing, which has been a fundamental pillar of its economy and culture.

Ancient roots of fishing

The roots of fishing in Torri del Benaco reach back to ancient times, as evidenced by rock engravings found on the “Pietra delle Griselle” and other sites in the area. These carvings, dating to the Bronze Age, depict fishing boats and confirm that fishing was already practiced and culturally significant in prehistoric times.

Later, during Roman times, further traces of fishing activity are found on Lake Garda. However, it is in the Middle Ages that fishing becomes a vital resource for lakeside communities. During this period, the corporation of the "Antichi Originari" fishermen was formally established in 1452, when the fishermen of Garda, Torri, and Sirmione purchased from the noble family Becelli di Costermano the exclusive rights to the "Peschiera di San Vigilio", one of the most productive fishing areas on the lake. These rights were governed by a statute that defined the obligations and privileges of the members, and even today the tradition of the "asta delle rive" (shore auction) keeps this ancient system of collective resource management alive.

Fishing not only provided daily sustenance but was also subject to precise local regulations to prevent overexploitation of the lake. The Scaliger Castle, now home to the Fishing Museum, preserves tools, ancient nets, and documents that tell the story of this long tradition. This historical continuity, from prehistory to the present day, makes fishing one of the deepest identity elements of Torri del Benaco.

Fishing techniques

The techniques used by the fishermen of Torri del Benaco have evolved over time, but many remain faithful to ancient practices. One of the most characteristic is "fishing with set nets", which involves placing nets in strategic points of the lake and retrieving them after several hours. Also widespread was fishing with "nasse"-woven wicker traps mainly used for eels. In winter, “ice fishing” was practiced (when the lake froze), while in spring and autumn, fishermen carried out "alosee", nocturnal fishing trips with lamps to attract fish to the nets with light.

Harbor and boats

The harbor of Torri, now a place for strolls and tourist mooring, was once bustling with life. The fishing boats, called "bisse" and "naét", were built of wood-light yet sturdy, suitable for navigating even in strong winds. Fishermen often built them themselves or relied on local shipwrights. The harbor was also the heart of the community: a place for exchange, news, and solidarity among fishermen. The fish market, now gone, was a key point for selling fresh catch.

Fish species

Lake Garda hosts many fish species: whitefish (coregone or lavarello), trout, eel, tench, perch, lake sardine (agone), and pike. Each season offered different fish, and fishermen knew the lake’s natural cycles perfectly to choose the right time to cast their nets.

Curiosities and local testimonies

• The lampare: boats equipped with lamps for night fishing created a unique atmosphere on the lake, remembered by elders as “a nativity scene on the water.”
• Castle Museum: preserves nets, cork floats, and models of the harbor as it once was.
• “El lago no 'l perdona”: “The lake does not forgive” - a saying recalling the respect owed to the lake and its moods.
• Grandpa Gianni’s naét: restored by his grandchildren, it still sails the waters today for symbolic fishing.
• Fish Festival: every year, the local catch is celebrated with traditional dishes and music by the lake.

Although today fishing is practiced by only a few, it remains a fundamental part of Torri del Benaco’s identity-a heritage of knowledge, stories, and gestures that still lives on in the town’s traditions and tales, between the silence of the lake and the memory of an ancient craft.