Lake Bato
Lake Bato Location within the Philippines
Map of Camarines Sur highlighting Lake Bato
Location	Bicol Peninsula, Luzon, Bicol Region (Region V)
Coordinates	13°20′00″N 123°22′00″E / 13.33333°N 123.36667°E / 13.33333; 123.36667
Primary inflows	local run-off and several small streams
Primary outflows	a tributary of the Bicol River
Basin countries	Philippines
Surface area	2,810 ha (6,900 acres)
Average depth	8 m (26 ft)
Surface elevation	10 m (33 ft)
Settlements	Bato

Lake Bato is a freshwater lake and the 7th largest in the Philippines. It is located in the town of Bato, approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) southwest of Iriga City, Camarines Sur Province, southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It has extensive marshes and swamp forests. The lake drains into a tributary of the Bicol River which enters the sea near Naga City. Average depth is 8 metres (26 ft), and the bottom is muddy clay. The pH value is 6.1, the average dissolved oxygen 10 p.p.m., and the total hardness (SBY) 2.4.^[1]

History

The lake was originally called Sadit na Ranow by natives living around the area and a small settlement called Caliligno was founded on its shores during pre-Spanish times; the early settlers thrived on the lake's rich resources and use it as a primary medium of travel. The settlement flourished on to become the present-day town of Bato, Camarines Sur and the lake came to be named after the town, which was established by a decree of the Superior Government (National Government) on February 15, 1758, when the Philippines was still under the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

The Sinarapan

Lake Bato is part of the Rinconada (Bicol) Lakes System, which also includes Lake Buhi and Lake Baao-Bula. It is known that the Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), the world's smallest commercially harvested fish in the world, is also found in its waters. Sinarapan literally means "caught by sarap" in Buhi in this early historical context. However, the same fish is called tabios in Bato, Nabua, Baao and Bula, Camarines Sur. The etymology of tabios, however, is quite vague. The name is not found in the scientific literature unlike "Sinarapan". It is believed that Tabios is only used in the vernacular pertaining to the local fishery.^[2] At present, the Sinarapan is threatened by extinction due to over-fishing and other factors but efforts to conserve it are ongoing. Such is this specie's importance to the lake's ecosystem since it is endemic only to this region.

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In the year 1772, the people were discouraged to catch fish because many crocodiles inhabited the lake. The boats were seized and the boatman or sailors were eaten up. Many people gave up the fishing industry but with the tenacity of purpose and persistent effort, the fishermen did not lose hope but continued to fish and utilized the lake for their transportation and everyday living.