Rastplatz Fischlehrpfad

Rest area on the fish trail near Wilhering

Coveted giants from the Danube...
Of all the rivers in Europe, the Danube has the richest fish fauna. Cromagnon man was already fishing in the Danube around 10,000 years ago. Finds of simple fishing tackle prove this. From the Mesolithic onwards, fishing rods, nets and barges were added to the spear as fishing tools. Regular fishing was probably practised from the 35th century BC. At that time, the main fish were hawks and sturgeon. The housefish weighed up to 500 kg and was fished so heavily that its stocks declined sharply. Even the fishing restrictions from the 18th century could not stop its extinction. Even today, the Danube still harbours a rich fish fauna with the nase as the leading species.

Numerous aquatic creatures live in the Danube. One very special one is the female Danube. It's always good to have her on your side - the Danube legend "Vom Donauweibchen" tells the story of this creature.