Schöhsee Lake

The Schöhsee is located in the middle of Plön's urban area, nestled between the Trammer See, the Behler See and the Großer Plöner See. It is 78 hectares in size and has a maximum depth of 29.3 m. Due to the lake's low nutrient content and the resulting low algae growth, it is one of the clearest lakes in Schleswig-Holstein. In the summer months, visibility can reach up to 3.5 meters. There are three wooded islands on the lake, called the Kleiner Warder, Mittlerer Warder and Großer Warder. During the winter months, the lake is home to up to 2000 tufted ducks, as well as other bird species. It is also a breeding ground for great crested grebes, kingfishers, oystercatchers and many other water bird species. The Schöhsee can easily be walked around on a designated hiking trail. The circular trail with a great view of the lake is around 5.4 km long and is therefore also suitable for families and beginners.

The steep-sloping, mesotrophic-eutrophic body of water has a water surface of 0.78 km², a maximum depth of 29.3 meters, an average depth of 10.9 meters and a lake volume of 8.5 million m³. The lake has no inflow and a catchment area of 2.3 km² and has a 400-meter-long outflow into Lake Behler at its eastern end.

Motorboats and sailing boats are generally prohibited from using the lake, but canoes, rowing boats and paddle boats can be used with a permit from the fishing club.The Max Planck Institute for Limnology, which existed under this name until 2007 (since April 2007 the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology), which is located on the banks of the Schöhsee, has studied the inland water ecosystem, among other things.Since the lake is currently in good ecological condition, particularly in terms of underwater fauna and vegetation, and has only a limited ability to regenerate due to the relatively long exchange time, it requires strict protection to maintain this condition. A possible threat would be the intensification of agriculture and the use of fertilizers in the fields or gardens.