Bosnia and Herzegovina’s terrain shifts from karst plateaus to forested mountains, and its lakes offer an easy way to sample that variety. Many are small but scenically important, used by locals for fishing, short hikes and seasonal recreation.
There are 14 Lakes in Bosnia, ranging from Balkana to Šatorsko jezero. For each entry the data are organized as Type,Location (municipality),Area (km2); you’ll find below.
Which lakes are best for swimming or day trips?
Several lakes are used for swimming and short visits in summer, especially those near towns with easy road access. Always check local signs and recent water-quality reports before swimming; the list below shows each lake’s location so you can judge travel time and nearby facilities.
Are these lakes natural or man-made, and how can I tell?
The list indicates each lake’s Type so you can see which are natural (glacial, karst) versus reservoirs. Municipal or tourism websites linked to the listed locations usually note origins and provide trail or access details if you plan a visit.
Lakes in Bosnia
| Name | Type | Location (municipality) | Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buško Blato | reservoir | Livno (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 55.80 |
| Bilećko jezero | reservoir | Bileća (Republika Srpska) | 33.00 |
| Jablaničko jezero | reservoir | Jablanica (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 13.00 |
| Ramsko jezero | reservoir | Prozor-Rama (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 14.90 |
| Modračko jezero (Modrac) | reservoir | Lukavac (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 3.60 |
| Blidinje | karstic | Tomislavgrad (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.26 |
| Boračko jezero | glacial | Konjic (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.36 |
| Veliko Plivsko jezero | karstic | Jajce (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.05 |
| Malo Plivsko jezero | karstic | Jajce (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.01 |
| Balkana | reservoir | Mrkonjić Grad (Republika Srpska) | 0.08 |
| Deransko jezero | karstic | Čapljina (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 1.00 |
| Prokoško jezero | glacial | Fojnica (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.03 |
| Šatorsko jezero | glacial | Bosansko Grahovo (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.12 |
| Salakovac Reservoir | reservoir | Mostar (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 0.64 |
Images and Descriptions
Buško Blato
Buško Blato is a large artificial reservoir in southwestern Bosnia. It sits in the Livno/Tomislavgrad area and forms part of the Neretva basin. It stores water for hydropower and irrigation and creates wide marshy shoreline zones. It ranks among the country’s largest man-made lakes and supports fishing and birdlife.
Bilećko jezero
Bilećko jezero is a deep reservoir on the Trebišnjica River near the town of Bileća. It forms after the Bileća Dam and supplies water and hydropower. The lake has steep shores and long, narrow bays. It serves fishing, boating and regional water management.
Jablaničko jezero
Jablaničko jezero is a reservoir on the Neretva River near Konjic. It formed after damming for hydropower and flood control. The lake borders rocky hills and offers clear water for boating and fishing. It is a major recreational and energy site in central Herzegovina.
Ramsko jezero
Ramsko jezero is an artificial lake in the Rama valley near Prozor-Rama. It fills a karst basin behind the Rama dam and lies among steep, green slopes. The lake supports local fishing and small-scale tourism. It is notable for its scenic mountain setting.
Modračko jezero (Modrac)
Modrac Lake is an artificial reservoir near Tuzla, created for water supply and flood control. It has long, shallow bays and several recreation areas along the shore. The lake is popular for swimming, wind sports and fishing in the Tuzla region. It is an important local water resource.
Blidinje
Blidinje refers to a high mountain karst lake and peat bogs inside Blidinje Nature Park near Tomislavgrad. The shallow lake sits in a protected alpine meadow and shows classic karst features. It supports seasonal grazing, hiking and nature tourism. It represents mountain freshwater habitats in Bosnia.
Boračko jezero
Boračko jezero is a glacial mountain lake near Konjic, set below steep limestone cliffs. It offers clear, cold water and a compact shoreline with pine forests. The lake suits swimming, hiking and day visits from nearby towns. It is a well-known natural attraction in Herzegovina.
Veliko Plivsko jezero
Veliko Plivsko jezero (Big Pliva Lake) lies near Jajce and forms part of the Pliva river system. It presents calm waters, tufa barriers and nearby mill houses. The lake supports boating, fishing and riverside walks. It pairs with the smaller Pliva lake to create a scenic river-lake landscape.
Malo Plivsko jezero
Malo Plivsko jezero (Small Pliva Lake) sits beside Veliko Plivsko jezero near Jajce. It is smaller and shallower, with lush banks and walking paths. The lake connects to the Pliva River and helps form the local wetland network. It is good for short strolls and nature viewing.
Balkana
Balkana Lake is a small artificial lake near Mrkonjić Grad in western Bosnia. It sits in a forested valley and provides picnic areas, walking paths and calm water for light boating. The lake is a local recreational spot and appears on many regional travel lists.
Deransko jezero
Deransko jezero is part of the Hutovo Blato wetland reserve near Čapljina. It forms shallow marshy waters among reeds and channels. The lake is rich in birdlife and seasonal fish habitats. It functions as a key nature reserve entry point and supports guided wildlife visits.
Prokoško jezero
Prokoško jezero is a high alpine glacial lake on Mount Vranica near Fojnica. It lies on a grassy plateau surrounded by pastures and stone huts. The lake is remote and scenic, offering hiking and mountain camping. It is one of Bosnia’s most photographed mountain lakes.
Šatorsko jezero
Šatorsko jezero is a small glacial lake on or near Šator Mountain in southwestern Bosnia. It sits in an upland basin framed by rocky peaks. The lake offers quiet mountain scenery and hiking access. It represents the small highland lakes common in Bosnia’s mountains.
Salakovac Reservoir
Salakovac Reservoir lies on the Neretva River near Mostar and Jablanica. It forms behind the Salakovac dam for hydropower and river regulation. The reservoir has elongated bays and nearby infrastructure. It functions mainly for energy, with limited recreational use.
