Lake Mainit
I have been driven along the side of Lake Mainit several times, travelling between Butuan airport and June’s home village of Cansayong in Mindanao, the Philippines. It is stunningly beautiful and seemingly undeveloped. The name means “hot” in Visayan, referring to nearby geothermal springs.
Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines, having a surface area of 173.40 square kilometres. The lake is also the deepest lake in the country with maximum depth reaching 223 metres. It is located in the northeastern section of Mindanao and shared between the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte.
The lake is known for its biodiversity. This oligotrophic lake supports 41 fish species—including the endemic pijanga—and serves as a vital resource for local fishing and tourism.
The lake is home to native species like pijanga (Glossogobius giuris) and bugwan (Hypseleotris agilis), along with tilapia and catfishes. The area is popular for eco-tourism, including boating, swimming, fishing, and bird watching.
Sadly, Lake Mainit faces ecological pressures from surrounding economic development, agricultural runoff, and, at times, mining activities. Conservation efforts, such as updating the Lake Mainit Development Plan, aim to manage its resources sustainably.