Locations
:Major rivers like the Ganga and its
tributaries, the Yamuna, the Brahmaputra, the Mahanadi, the Krishna and the
Kaveri.
Best Time : Any time of the year.
Tips :Bring lots of patience with yourself, as it is the most
important thing you should have during fishing & angling.
Angling In India
The Indian Himalayas are an ideal for
sport fishing. Anglers from all over the world come to the Indian rivers to
try and hook the Himalayan Rainbow trout or the mighty Mahaseer. Good
fishing is possible in the north of the country on the Ganga, Kali rivers
for mahseer and on the Tirthan, Tons and Sainj rivers for trout. In the east
of the country, rivers like the Kameng, Teesta, Brahmaputra etc. provide
excellent angling opportunities.
India with its dozens of rivers and thousands of streams, offers vast
opportunities for fishing and angling. Whether you're a first time
angler or an expert angler, - India's waters, both fresh and salt, can
be a pleasant surprise for you. The country has an estimated 50,000 km of
waters- rivers, streams, and lakes included- and an additional 3,000 km of
coastline. There's definitely a lot of scope for some satisfying
angling in India. Major rivers like the Ganga and its tributaries, the
Yamuna, the Brahmaputra, the Mahanadi, the Krishna and the
Kaveri are home to a wide spectrum of
fish, including mahseer, rohu, katli, and trout. The coastal waters
caressing the shorelines of India harbour marine fish like - mackerel,
marlin and sea bass.
In India, most major cities lie along the rivers, as a result finding a
fishing zone is generally not a problem. In addition to this, most states
have well-organised Departments of Fisheries, where special breeding areas
assure that there's always a gene pool of local and exotic fish. Fish
sanctuaries and breeding grounds in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh and other states through which major rivers flow, conserve a
vast stock of fish which are specially bred for re-stocking rivers.
Licenses and permits
Fishing
licenses are mandatory for all anglers. Go to the concerned official before
you throw your line into the water, or else you will be penalised for not
having the fishing license. In most cases, fishing licenses are not issued
during the monsoon (when most fish species breed); in addition, most
licenses are issued for only a specified stretch of water. Furthermore,
there are conditions that all fish caught must be released into the water,
and anglers are restricted to catch a specified number of fish per day. you
can get the license from the Fisheries Department of the state where you
have come for angling.
Foreigners, who are head towards the Lakshadweep or Andaman & Nicobar
Islands for fishing & angling, will need a permit from the Ministry of
Home Affairs in New Delhi - or an authorised official in the state. The same
applies to certain areas of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and other
border states.
Things to bring
The basic fishing equipment required includes rods, lines, hooks, reel,
flies, spinners, spoons and bait- in the form of worms, paste or other lure.
Light, waterproof clothing- brown or green in colour- is essential, as are
waterproof shoes or light sandals which can easily be slipped off to drain
out sand or water. Sunscreen, a light hat and dark glasses are necessary,
and during the winter make sure you're well clad with sufficient
woollens and a macintosh.
Some travel agencies and tour operators in India provides everything from
equipment and experienced guides to boarding, lodging and transportation to
the anglers.
Some Best Zones for Anglers
The main river expanse suitable for angling are in the lower Himalayas, the
Satpuras, and the Aravalis, all of which have rivers teeming with a broad
range of fishes. India's rivers acquire about 31 species of freshwater
fish which are of interest to anglers; these include trout (brown and
rainbow trout, both introduced species); murrel, catfish and cyprinids.
NOTE : For further information and assistance you can
contact the local wildlife, forests or fisheries department.