Mikulovické jezero

Mikulovické jezero (Mikulovice Lake) is a small, drainage-free body of water on the eastern edge of the village of Mikulovice in the Znojmo district, in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. Since 2002 the lake and the surrounding stretch of forest have been protected as a natural monument (přírodní památka), owing to the valuable wetland habitat it forms and the rare plant and animal species that live there.

Where is Mikulovické jezero located?

The lake sits right beside the village of Mikulovice, within a forest on its eastern edge, in the southern part of Moravia, in the Znojmo district. It is a small protected area, easily reached from the village itself, with the surrounding woodland separating it from the built-up part of the settlement.

Where does the lake's water come from?

Mikulovické jezero has no natural inflow or outflow in the form of a stream — it is a drainage-free lake. The water it holds comes solely from rainfall and groundwater. Because of this hydrological setup, the water level depends directly on how much rain falls in a given period and can vary noticeably over the course of a year.

Why is the lake becoming overgrown?

The absence of any natural water flow means the lake has been gradually silting up and overgrowing for years. It is shallow, and much of its surface is now covered by common reed, which spreads further across the water each year. This process is typical of drainage-free forest lakes, and together with the water itself, it is what gives Mikulovické jezero its distinctive character today.

Why is this site protected?

Mikulovické jezero was designated a natural monument specifically because of the wetland biotope that has formed here. Shallow water, dense reed beds, and the neighboring forest together create conditions that favor amphibians and birds tied to wetland environments. It was the diversity of fauna and flora typical of this kind of habitat that led to the lake and the land around it being placed under formal protection in 2002.

What should visitors know before coming?

Mikulovické jezero is a nature site, not a recreational one — it is not a swimming spot, nor is it set up for leisure by the water. Its value lies precisely in its largely untouched, natural character: the quiet of the forest, the reed beds, and the amphibians and birds that can be observed from a distance. It suits people interested in nature and a quiet walk around Mikulovice rather than visitors looking for typical tourist infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mikulovické jezero located? On the eastern edge of the village of Mikulovice, within a forest, in the Znojmo district of the South Moravian Region.

Does the lake have a river flowing into it? No — it is a drainage-free lake, fed only by rainfall and groundwater.

Why is the lake partly covered in reed? Because the lack of natural water flow causes the shallow lake to gradually silt up and overgrow — a natural process typical of this type of lake.

Since when has the lake been protected? Since 2002, when it was declared a natural monument.

What animals can be found here? The site is an important habitat for amphibians and birds associated with wetland environments.

Can you swim in the lake? No, it is a protected area valued for its natural qualities, not a site for water recreation.