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Information about the Ager River

The Ager is a sister river to the Traun and originates at the largest lake in the Salzkammergut, the Attersee. The name “Ager” is derived from the Celtic “Agria,” which means “fast-flowing” and refers to the swift current.

The river is about 35 km. long and enters the Traun at Lambach. With an average width of 40m., and a depth of between 70 cm. (70%) and 200 cm. (30%), it also takes on water from two important tributaries, the Vöckla and the Aurach.

After long-lasting periods of rain, the Ager can quickly become murky, caused primarily by the Vöckla. It can clear up again just as quickly, and then fishing in the cloudy water can be particularly successful.

The river bottom consists of gravel of varying size and sometimes of marl or shale. In turbulent sections there are boulders of conglomerate. In channelized or exposed areas the shoreline is secured by irregular placement of boulders.

The flow of the Ager, except in high-water periods, is relatively constant and amounts to about 16 m³/ sec., and it rarely drops below this even in extremely dry periods. The water temperature in the middle of the summer is about 18 degrees °C. (65 F).

Because of the heavy inflow of nutrients, a layer of algae forms quickly on the bottom, which gives the water a darker color. This organic film provides for the existence of numerous water organisms, but it also means that you have to use care when you wade this river.

The fish density in the Ager is among the highest in the rivers of Austria, and below the confluence of the cold Vöckla the habitat is ideal to make it a classic grayling river.