Rybníky V Pouštích

Rybníky V Pouštích is a protected natural monument on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, three kilometers east of the town of Třešť in the Jihlava district. The site covers roughly 20.3 hectares and consists of four forest ponds fed by the Lovecký stream and its tributaries, located east of the former gamekeeper's settlement of Pouště. Surrounded by spruce forest, the ponds feel remote and largely untouched by tourism infrastructure.

What makes this place special?

The protection status centers on mesotrophic ponds and the vegetation typical of periodically drained fishponds. The water surfaces are largely covered by white water lily and greater bladderwort, aquatic plants that form dense, photogenic mats especially visible in summer. These blooming carpets are what draw nature photographers and pond ecosystem enthusiasts to the site.

What plants and animals live here?

The reserve hosts communities of submerged aquatic plants, and in spring, as water levels drop in the partially drained ponds, exposed mudflats reveal a distinctive vegetation type — including the rare and strictly protected mud-sedge relative Coleanthus subtilis, several sedge species, and other wetland plants adapted to fluctuating water levels. Among the fauna, the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) stands out as a strictly protected amphibian species for which these shallow, mosaic-like ponds are a critical breeding habitat. Newts and other amphibians also inhabit the area, using the ponds and adjacent wetlands as spawning grounds.

Why is it worth a visit?

Rybníky V Pouštích is a well-preserved example of a small pond landscape nestled in forest, where traditional fish farming practices — including periodic draining — coexist with the conservation of rare plant and animal species. This is not a tourist site with built infrastructure, but a quiet natural corner appreciated by birdwatchers, amphibian enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aquatic vegetation. Walking along the ponds reveals the natural rhythm of this ecosystem, from summer's blooming water lilies to the exposed spring mudflats with their specialized plant life.

How to get there and when to visit?

The site lies east of Třešť, near the former hunting settlement of Pouště, amid the spruce forests of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Late spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the ponds are covered in blooming water lilies and bladderwort, though botany enthusiasts also value early spring, when the exposed mudflats display their characteristic wetland vegetation.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim here? No — this is a protected area safeguarding valuable plant and animal habitats, and swimming or other disturbances to the pond ecosystem are not appropriate.

How large is the protected area? The Rybníky V Pouštích natural monument covers approximately 20.3 hectares.

Which species are protected here? The most notable are the plant Coleanthus subtilis and the fire-bellied toad, both under strict species protection.

Who manages the site? The area is overseen by the Vysočina Regional Authority (Krajský úřad Kraje Vysočina).

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes, Třešť offers a chateau and an arboretum at the local forestry school, making it easy to combine a nature visit with some local history.