Lake Usma

Usmas ezers is the fourth largest lake in Latvia, around forty square kilometres of shallow water in the Kurzeme forest with a scatter of wooded islands, of which Moricsala is the largest and is a strict nature reserve, protected since 1912 as one of the oldest in the country and closed to visitors. The lake is used for sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and fishing, with pike, perch, bream and eel, and campsites, guesthouses and boat hire operate around the shore, particularly on the western side. The surrounding country is pine and spruce forest with bog areas. It is a quiet lake compared with those nearer Riga.

The landscape

• The island lake - the shallow water and its wooded islands.
• Moricsala - the protected island reserve, viewed from the water.
• Sailing and kayaking - the boating on the open lake.
• Forest shores - the pine and spruce around the water.

When to go

June to September for swimming, boating and camping; the water is cold outside high summer. Autumn is quiet with good fishing. The lake freezes in winter and ice fishing takes over.

Things to know

Moricsala island is a strict reserve and landing is prohibited. Facilities are campsites and guesthouses rather than resorts. The lake is shallow and can turn rough quickly in wind. Mosquitoes on the shore are severe in summer.

Nearby

Kuldiga lies south; Ventspils is northwest.

Key facts