Rietberger Fischteiche

The Rietberger Fischteiche is a nature reserve comprising 26 ponds of varying sizes and depths that create different wetland zones with reed beds and water plants. These waters were constructed on what was once marshland, forming a diverse mosaic of aquatic habitats.

The ponds were artificially built between 1900 and 1904 in marshland, specifically in an area that once held moats around Rietberg Castle. This construction transformed an older landscape into a new ecological zone.

The ponds grew from a tradition of fish farming where carp and tench were raised for local consumption and trade. This heritage shapes how the region today balances water use with habitat protection.

The reserve is not open to the public, but visitors can watch wildlife from a viewing platform along the Ems River. Early morning is the best time for observing birds when they are most active.

The area is home to bitterns, rare water birds that have returned after years away from the region. Their comeback shows how successfully this place has been restored as a breeding ground.