Bosnia and Herzegovina · Herzegovina

Jablanica Lake

Directions

Jablaničko jezero · Јабланичко језеро

Jablanica Lake (Jablaničko jezero) is a large artificial lake on the Neretva, running from Konjic to the dam near Jablanica in central Herzegovina. It was created in 1953, flooding the fertile farmland of the valley, and it has become one of the popular holiday destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with swimming, boating and especially fishing, and many weekend cottages along its shore.

How it formed

The lake was formed by an arch dam on the Neretva, built in 1953 upstream of Jablanica. It fills the valley just below Konjic, where the river expands into a wide valley, and it has an irregular, elongated shape that follows the river.

History

Before the lake was filled, the valley gave the people of the area a great deal of fertile farmland, most of which the water flooded. In 2017 the lake emptied after the stored water was used for winter power, and in 2024 it dried out during a drought.

The Battle for the Wounded

Jablanica is tied to the Battle of the Neretva in 1943, also called the Battle for the Wounded, when the Partisans crossed the river here. A museum of the battle and a memorial bridge over the Neretva are among the sights listed for visitors.

Nature

The lake is rich in fish, including trout, marble trout, strugač, carp, zander and chub. Poor management of the water and of the fisheries has done harm: non-native fish, among them pikeperch, were introduced and are said to have destroyed native and highly endangered fishes of the Neretva such as strugač and glavatica (marble trout).

Gallery

4 photos

Photo: Ante Perkovic · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Mhare · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bryan Pocius · CC BY 3.0

Photo: Bjoertvedt · CC BY-SA 3.0

Show all photos

Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Jablanica

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lake lies along the main road M17 between Konjic and Jablanica. Swimming, boating and fishing are popular, but the water level varies a great deal and the lake has dried out in a drought, so check conditions locally before you go.

Where to swim

Aluminij Beach, at the south end near Jablanica town, is the most developed spot, with free entry, changing rooms and food nearby. Glavatičevo, on the east shore, is quieter, with a gravel beach and a small café. Along the eastern road there are many wild spots with rocky entries, so water shoes help, and cliff jumping is for experienced swimmers only after checking the depth.

Fishing

A Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina sport fishing licence is required, sold at bait shops and cafés (especially in Glavatičevo) or at the sport fishing society in Jablanica; take an ID. The general season is said to run from 1 March to 30 November, with size and daily catch limits, so check the rules when you buy your permit.

Food

Trout and roast lamb are the dishes of the area, and there are riverside restaurants at Glavatičevo and roadside konobas serving grilled meat and burek.

Getting there and when

Jablanica is about 20 minutes from Konjic, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Mostar and 1 hour 30 minutes from Sarajevo by car, and the scenic Sarajevo–Mostar train stops at Jablanica station. June to September is the swimming season, with late June recommended; April, May and October are quiet and cool, and from November to March most services are closed. Bring cash, and note that toilets exist only at organised beaches and cafés.