Utenykštis
Its area is 86.4 ha, situated in the prolongation of Utenis trough in Aukštaitija National Park. The length 1.7 km, average width 0.55 km, the coastline 6.2 km. The bottom is hollow, the greatest depth 9.9 m, average depth 4.3 m, volume of water 3.9 m. m3, there is one island. The western bank is low and marshy; from a narrow covered by water plants bay (Lašmuo) flows out Būka river, continuing its flow to Baluošas lake. The lake is abundantly fed by underground waters, so the level of water fluctuates only slightly during the year, 40 cm. The lake is classified as bream-type. Earlier breams attracted poachers as magnet. However, now only amateur anglers fish there.
Local fishermen revealed a secret how ingeniously are eels caught in Utenykštis. Utena’s inhabitants catch eels quite in a simple way, using bathing brushwood. Birch-rod brushwoods should be prepared during St, John’s, because brushwoods made on the next day are only for bathhouse, not for fishing. For brushwoods to be more attractive for eels to bite, add some twigs of cherry tree and black currents. Eels are sensitive and choosy, so you won’t offer them any kind of brushwoods. In a well-ventilated shed tie dried brushwoods in twos in a way that their handles nearly touch each other. Make the fishing tool heavier by attaching a red brick (a silicate brick does not suit) and when the evening is approaching, sink it in the lake where there live eels. Early in the morning silently sail up and energetically pull out the brushwoods into the boat. You will be surprised to find out how many eels had got stuck among the leaves of the brushwoods! In 2003 Utenykštis was stocked with 1.5 million glass eels.
