Usma Lake

Kurzeme

Listen to the landscape

Usma lake is the sixth largest lake in Latvia, but second largest in volume of water. The disparate lake bottom comprises shallows, great depths and submerged gullies, but the shore is a ragged line of bays, capes and promontories, endowed with glorious names – Godeļdanga, Bērzragdanga, Bukdanga, Kalvrags, Dižgabalrags, Meķgals, Pievdanga. Usma Lake surrounds historic Moricsala, which owes its name to the then Duke of Courland, Moritz of Saxony, who once hid on the island. The Moricsala Reserve was established here in 1912.

During the nesting season, even nature researchers are prohibited from visiting the Moricsala Reserve. All visitors require permits.
Not far from the lake, a 26-metre viewing tower is located on Ūdru kalns.
To help them navigate the lake, local fishermen have assigned more than 200 place names to local features.