Pușcași Reservoir

Pușcași Reservoir is an artificial lake in Vaslui County, on the lower course of the Racova River, a tributary of the Bârlad. It was built during the communist period, as part of the hydrographic works in the Bârlad basin, mainly to regulate water flow and provide resources for irrigation. Covering about 169 hectares, it is one of the largest man-made lakes in the hilly region of southern Moldavia. The surrounding area is typical of the Central Moldavian Plateau, with hilly terrain, moderate altitudes and slopes partly covered with oak and hornbeam forest, alternating with farmland. The water surface is an important habitat for aquatic birds, visited by species such as the cormorant, grey heron, wild ducks and coots, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Today the lake is managed as a sport-fishing venue, stocked yearly with carp, crucian carp and grass carp, and run under its own set of rules, with distinct fishing areas. It is one of the best-known venues of its kind in Vaslui County, appreciated both by anglers and by birdwatchers interested in the migratory species characteristic of the wetlands of central Moldavia. Today the lake is managed as a sport-fishing venue, stocked yearly with carp, crucian carp and grass carp, and run under its own set of rules, with distinct fishing areas. It is worth visiting for fishing on a wide stretch of water and for watching the aquatic birds — cormorants, herons, wild ducks and coots — most common during the migration seasons.