For those who are looking for fishing in Nepal but don't have a clue on where to begin or which place is best for fishing, we’ve listed for you the 6 Best Places for Fishing in Nepal.
6 Best Places for Fishing in Nepal
Seti Karnali River
Considered one of the best fast-flowing Rivers in Nepal, Seti Karnali looks like a vision with a marvellous setting of lush green hills. So, it seems that the anglers can cast the fishing line while enjoying the magnetic view
Seti Karnali is a major tributary of the Karnali River system which clears out western Nepal. It is formed out of the glaciers and snowfields lying nearby two mountains Nampa and API.
The lesser-known part of Karnali, the Seti river provides habitat to as many fishes as silver Mahseer, giant catfish, Sahar and Bokar. Besides fishing, anglers can put the use of their spare time on rafting and even camping on the bank of the river.
Tamor River
When most rivers are losing their giant fish to chaotic human activities, Tamor just possesses more and more. A river is a dwelling place for more than 26 varieties of fish like Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Psilorhynchus and many more.
Hence, anglers travelling anywhere near Kanchenjunga or Sapta Koshi will have an exciting time since the water rewards rare species of fish. Unlike any other place, fishing in the Tamor River is special, following the spectacular view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu.
The glory of eastern Nepal, Tamor flows downstream from Kanchenjunga and meets Sun Koshi and Arun at Tribenighat before forming Saptakoshi.
Balephi River
The Balephi River has had unique and diverse aquatic species for several years now. It has helped nourish and thrive a wide genus of fish including Catfish and Golden Mahseer.
A small tributary of Bhote Koshi River, the Balephi River starts from Langtang flowing all the way to many regions in the Himalayas. Chanute is apparently where most anglers want to be for fishing but you can also travel to nearby towns like Jalbire and Balephi Gaun.
The river is too close to Kathmandu, taking only two and a half hours to reach the waterway. Apart from angling, the fishers can enjoy the natural scenery here and also go on rafting.
Kali Gandaki River
Kali Gandaki is an ideal place to start catching enormous fish in Nepal. You can trust the river on any day to trap large-size freshwater fish since it’s home to Golden Goonch Catfish and Golden Mahseer.
One of the longest rivers in Nepal, Kali Gandaki originates from Mustang and flows through various places of Nepal and Tibet. The sweeping river also provides a splendid background to anglers with soaring green hills and gorges.
In between fishing, anglers can take an easy break and have a fun time rafting. If not okay going with the idea then you can camp on the edge of the river.
Babai River
From the exotic wildlife to flora and beautiful landscapes, the surrounding nearby Babai River has great things to offer. Meanwhile, the river itself has a varied species of fish to proffer angler which can be more fun than watching the view.
Located in Babai Valley, the river has as many as 50 species of fish including the gigantic Golden Mahseer, Indian Trout Barb, and Goonch. As the river flows through a conserved area of Bardia National Park, fishers can get a glimpse of wild Asian Elephants, rhinos and deer.
You can travel anywhere inside Bardia National Park or around Chepang to enjoy fishing in the Babai River.
Phewa Lake in Pokhara
Besides the vibrant city, snow-capped mountains and temples, Pokhara is indeed famous for its lakes. The city alone has more lakes than anywhere in Nepal with the likes of Rara, Phewa and Begnas.
While all of these lakes shine with their own unique feature, Phewa all is chosen by anglers for fishing. And that’s because the rich water of the lake allows a variety of fish to thrive.
As varied as Golden Mahseer, Catfish and Common Carp are the catch here. To reach the lake, anglers have to make no extra effort except for taking a ride of 5 hours.
Besides these fishing places, Ankhu Khola and Budhi Gandaki also could be the fisherman's choices. You can have an experience of a rural homestay. Not only fishing and traditional stay, but you also may enjoy the view of the great Himalayas, green hills, farming terraces and more.
Basic Fishing Gears
High-quality fishing Line
Anyone who sets off for fishing in Nepal must have strong fishing lines in their kit. It helps to put up against giant fish and prevents losing the hook. Avid anglers often use monofilament fishing lines as they’re efficient, resistant to abrasion and durable.
Bobbers
Bobbers work as an indicator to anglers enabling them to know when the fish has lingered in the fishing bait. They’ll notify you as soon as the fish comes to the hook by hopping. Bobbers these days are versatile and come in different shapes and sizes which can be easily adjusted to the bait. You can have either regular bobbers or spring ones which easily sense the presence of fish.
Fishing Rod and reel
Anglers of all skills require a quality fishing rod and reel which are adjustable and long-lasting. They are the key essentials for any angler whether they be pro or amateur. A simple spinning rod and reel anywhere from 8lb to 20lb performs fine whether the water is fresh or salt.
You may like to check: the best ultralight spinning reel and best ultralight fishing rod
Sinkers
Another small gear that would be of great use while fishing is Sinkers. It adds weight to the fishing cord to maintain stability, increase the possibility of sinking and maintain casting distance. Unlike lead sinkers in the early days, there are varieties of sinkers available in the market at the moment such as Pyramid, barrel, bullet sinkers and dipsey.
Fishing Lures
Fishing Lures are the artificial bait used to tempt fish and get them trapped. It is a proxy to natural bait and works just well for every water type. As far as clear water is concerned, it’s wise to use light-coloured lures whereas, in murky waters, dark-coloured lures work fine.
