Fishing in Nepal

Recreational fishing Tour

Adrift Adventures company offer -Sport fishing, like hunting, is little advertised and therefore little known in Nepal. However, for the angling enthusiast, Nepal's lakes and rivers can prove good fishing grounds. There are approximately 118 varieties of fresh-water fish in these Himalayan waters, ranging from the much sought after Mahseer to the mountain stream trout-like varieties. The best season to go sport fishing on white waters is before and after the monsoon from February till April and October and November. During these times the fishes go upstream to spawn and they consume less food. But locals catch a lot of fish during monsoon as well for their livelihood.

Where to fish in Nepal
Some of the popular fishing trips are done in Karnali, Babai valley in the Bardiya National Park. Chitwan also hosts a number of places like the confluence of Seti and Trisuli on the Tribhuvan Highway and also in the confluence of Kaligandaki and Trisuli river. Anglers can try their luck in the clear waters of Pokhara's lakes as well. While Phewa Tal offers some good sport, there is considerable activity and is not the ideal place for a quiet day's fishing. Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal are a better bet. Get out there on any of several local buses that start plying early morning or bike your way there. You can hire a boat and go out to some of the good spots in the lake.

Fishing rods and tackle are available on hire in Pokhara at around NRs.200 a day. If you hire a boat for the day, you can ask the boatman to get you a rod and tackle or you can hire one from one of many agencies. The bait is usually made of bread that is soaked in water and mashed into a thick paste (your boatman will do this for you). The lake boast of several fish varieties, the largest of which is Carp, which can weigh several kilos.

Ideally you could bring along a telescopic rod that can fit in a backpack and some artificial bait. Worms are hard to get in the winter months when they burrow deep to avoid the cold.

Fishing is also fun in many of the mountain streams. There are varieties of trout-like fish or even rainbow trouts and common trouts that can provide good sport. Recently the Fishery Department has released 4000 fingerlings in the Modi river, near Pokhara. There are agencies in Kathmandu that organise fishing trips to streams around the Kathmandu valley.

Dolalghat, east of the valley on the Kodari Highway, is easily accessible from the city - a bus ride from the Old Bus Park in Ratna Park early morning and back through the local buses by evening. You can encounter Nepali holidaymakers and the locals on the lookout for local variety of Asla and Katla, the former a kind of trout and the latter a carp. You could bring some flies along and try your luck. Some of the dams across Nepal's many rivers too have a good stock of fish.

Fishing in Karnli River: -

15 days -30 days River Tour Packages:-

Karnali River is endowed with beautiful rivers that are good fishing ground for the angling enthusiast. Many varieties of fish are found in Karnali River . This is very popular fishing spots are Karnali, Babai valley in the Royal Bardia National Park, Chitwan, Dolalghat and lakes of Pokhara. Among the many fishes found here, the Golden Mahseer is prized above the others. Karnali is the ideal place for Mahseer fishing. The best season to go fishing is before or after the monsoon i.e. from February till April and from October till November when fishes go upstream for spawning and consume less food. There are agencies in Kathmandu that organize fishing trips by adrift adventures company.

Fishing in Budi Gandaki (5 days)
Half way between Kathmandu and Pokhara Budhi Gandaki is a mystery river! Like the Marsyangdi, the Budhi Gandaki rises wholly in Nepal and drains the Eastern slopes of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal before flowing south through a steep - sided valley to join the Trisuli River upstream of Mugling.

Fishing here will certainly provide you a unique experience. At the same time you can observe typical Nepali villages, good mountain views and a little - traveled but easy river. The different varieties of fish can be seen frolicking in the water. The journey starts from Kathmandu to Arughat Bazaar and the desire to catch fish takes you to Arket Bazaar. The fishing area includes several places of Arket Bazaar, Seuli Bazaar and Arughat Bazaar. Forgetting the rest of the world you can relax and enjoy fishing here. This place is really wonderful with crystal clear water and you can go to beautiful blue water by boat as there is an opportunity to hook up the varieties of fishes such as mahseer, snow trout, fresh water eel, and catfishes. The high currents of the water make this adventure a memorable and challenging one. And the fish you catch here are really delicious if it is cooked. In addition to this, you can experience various cultural and traditional ethos of this small but diverse country.

After your unspoken interaction with these beautiful fish fauna you retrace your route to Arughat Bazaar and from there a picturesque drive brings you back to Kathmandu.

Fishing in Ankhu Khola (Netrawati) (5 days)

Ankhu Khola is yet another excellent destination for the subtle sport of fishing. It lies north in the Ganesh Himal region. You drive from Kathmandu to Khahare Bazaar which takes about six hours.

The main places where you can enjoy the fun of fishing includes from Khahare Bazaar till Kintang Phei. Another option is from Khahare till Tari Besi. This program has been designed to take anglers, both amateurs and professionals on an exciting fishing trip. While on this exciting fishing trip you also enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding forests, streams and the high mountains.

Here too you find an opportunity to hook up the varieties of fishes such as mahseer, snow trout, fresh water eel, and catfishes.

The main attractions of this program are to make you feel relaxed away from the hubbub of city and help to observe the rural part of Nepal. Here you can enjoy boating, swimming in crystal clear blue water and lying on sand beeches, camping, experience local culture, interaction with the local people as you can choose home stay, try fresh and tasty fruits, vegetables and fish and beautiful sceneries add an extra advantage to your tour.

Fishing in the Terai: the Mahseer
The rivers in the Terai are good fishing. Large catfish, Murrel and carp are found in abundance in these rivers. Anglers can also try their luck in West Nepal's Bardia Wildlife Reserve in the Babai valley where agencies organize guided fishing trips. While trekking or rafting in Karnali, Sun Kosi, Bheri, Arun river bring along a fishing rod or give the local methods a try - using a bamboo pole or a crude fish trap. The Mahseer is a large and much prized sport fish found in the Geruwa river that skirts the park. However, its numbers are dwindling rapidly and it is advised that you let go of one even if you land a catch.

Practical information
Asking local fishermen and boatmen for information on good fishing spots and varieties can be rewarding. The Tharus of the Nepal Terai are an active fishing and hunting community and can provide good company on a trip, or in just providing suggestions. In Bardia, apart from an entry fee to the park, you have to pay a fee of Rs.300 per rod for sport fishing. This may be well worth for a fishing trip in the Geruwa. You may just land a mahseer!