Lake Garbas

Lake Garbas, located in picturesque north-eastern Poland, in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, is a real pearl of the Suwałki Region. It is an integral part of the canoe route of the Rospuda River, famous for its wild beauty and unspoiled nature. It is a place where lovers of peace, active recreation and closeness to nature will find ideal conditions for regeneration and unforgettable experiences.

Location and physical properties

Lake Garbas is a ribbon lake with an elongated shape, stretching over a length of about 3.5 km. Its area is about 152 hectares, which makes it one of the largest lakes on the Rospuda route. The maximum depth of the lake is 48 meters, and the average depth is 20.9 meters. The shores of the lake are mostly steep and forested, which gives it an intimate and wild character. The eastern banks are lower and more accessible, while the western banks rise higher, creating picturesque escarpments. Lake Garbas is part of the lake system of the Rospuda River, with which it is connected both in the north and south, making it a key point on the canoe route. The water in the lake is clean and transparent, with a blue shade characteristic of lobelia lakes, which proves its high quality. The bottom of the lake is varied – from sandy, through gravelly, to muddy in places.

Recreation and rafting on the Rospuda River

Lake Garbas is used for recreation in harmony with the surrounding nature. Its main attraction is its role on the route of the legendary Rospuda canoeing trip.

Role in the Rospuda rafting trip

For canoeists, Lake Garbas is one of the most charming and at the same time calmer sections of Rospuda. After the demanding, often meandering and overgrown fragments of the river, entering the open space of the lake is a respite and an opportunity to admire the wide panoramas. Canoeists can paddle freely while enjoying the silence and the surrounding landscape. The lake is large enough to allow you to stretch your legs and rest, and its clear waters encourage you to swim. Often on the shores of the lake, especially near the campsites, lunch and overnight stops for canoe groups are organized.

Beaches and conditions

There are no typically developed, large city beaches with full infrastructure on Lake Garbas. They are characterized by rather wild and intimate places to go down to the water. The most popular and accessible places for swimming are located near campsites and canoe marinas, especially in the northern part of the lake, near the town of Matlak. These are usually sandy and grassy fragments of the shore, with clear water and a gentle descent into the lake. The lack of crowds and extensive infrastructure makes them ideal places for people looking for peace and closeness to nature. It is worth bearing in mind that these are often places without rescue supervision.

Recreation opportunities

Canoeing: This is of course the main attraction. Lake Garbas is an integral part of the Rospuda trail, which makes it ideal for canoeing.
Swimming: The clear and transparent waters of the lake invite you to swim, especially on hot days.
Fishing: The lake is appreciated by anglers for its abundance of fish.
Hiking and cycling: The surrounding forests and hilly terrain are conducive to walking and cycling. You can enjoy beautiful views and the richness of nature.
Nature Watching: The wildlife around the lake is a paradise for ornithology and animal watching.

Accommodation and gastronomy

The accommodation around Lake Garbas is mainly adapted to the needs of tourists rafting down the Rospuda, as well as people looking for agritourism and peace.

Campsites: Along the shores of the lake, especially in its northern part near Matlak, there are well-prepared campsites, often with access to sanitary facilities and catering outlets offering simple meals.
Agritourism: In nearby towns, such as Matłak or Bakałarzewo, as well as in further Filipów, you can find numerous agritourism farms, offering accommodation in guest rooms, home-cooked meals and the opportunity to contact the local culture.
Holiday homes: Private holiday homes are also available for rent, ideal for families or groups of friends.
Gastronomy: The gastronomic offer focuses mainly on seasonal bars and catering outlets at campsites, offering simple but filling meals, often made from local products. In larger towns in the area, such as Bakałarzewo or Filipów, you can find traditional restaurants and bars.

Fishing on Lake Garbas

Lake Garbas is a valued fishery by anglers who appreciate its wild character and abundance of fish.

Fish and restocking

In Lake Garbas there are numerous species of fish, characteristic of clean lake districts:

Dominant species: roach, bream, perch, pike, zander, eel.
Other species: tench, crucian carp, burbot (especially in the tributaries of the Rospuda).

The lake is regularly restocked by the Polish Angling Association, which helps to maintain a stable fish population. Predatory species such as pike and zander are most often stocked, which is conducive to the development of spinning and ground fishing.

Fishing permits

To fish on Lake Garbas, as well as in other waters administered by the PAA, it is necessary to have a fishing license and buy a permit to fish in the waters of the PAA Suwałki District. These permits can be purchased at the PAA offices in Suwałki, in some fishing shops in the region, and often in agritourism centers or kayak rentals near the lake. Always before starting fishing, you should familiarize yourself with the applicable regulations, dimensions and conservation periods to protect the fish resources of the lake.

What’s interesting in the area?

The surroundings of Lake Garbas and the entire Rospuda Valley are a real treasure trove of attractions for nature and history lovers.

Rospuda Valley: Of course, the main attraction is the Rospuda River itself – its picturesque meanders, wild peat bogs and forests. Ideal for kayaking, hiking and bird watching.
Nature reserves: In the immediate vicinity of the lake and along the Rospuda River, there are several nature reserves, protecting unique ecosystems such as peat bogs, rare species of plants and animals.
Wigry National Park: A short distance separates Lake Garbas from the Wigry National Park with the majestic Lake Wigry and the historic former Camaldolese monastery.
Suwałki Landscape Park: This is one of the most beautiful landscape parks in Poland, characterized by a post-glacial landscape, picturesque hills, lakes and erratic boulders. Ideal for hiking and cycling.
Historical towns: It is worth visiting nearby towns, such as Bakałarzewo with the remains of old fortifications, or Filipów with its historic church.
Tatar Trail: A little further away, but still within the range of a one-day trip, there are towns with mosques and mizars, which are a testimony to the Tatar culture in Podlasie (Kruszyniany, Bohoniki).

Summary

Lake Garbas is the essence of the Suwałki Region – wild, beautiful and unspoiled by mass tourism. Its role as a key point on the Rospuda canoe route, combined with its clear waters and abundance of fish, makes it an ideal destination for kayakers, anglers, and anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of civilization. Although there are no luxury resorts here, Garbas offers something much more valuable – real contact with nature, peace and unforgettable views. It is a place that will certainly remain in the memory of everyone who visits it for a long time.