Fishing and Angling India

A landmark marked with numerable rivers, India is a hot destination for fishing and angling in India. The Indian coastal areas provide high adventure for trawler fishing while the wide rivers in the hinterland sport an ample variety of fish. Angling is a pursuit undertaken by many naturalists.

The geographical difference along the trend of each river is tremendous in India. Himalayas is a 'Angler's paradise' with a channel of rivers, streams and high altitude lakes gracefully flowing rendering ample opportunities for anglers. Major rivers like the Ganges and its tributaries, the Yamuna, the Brahmaputra, the Mahanadi, the Krishna and the Kaveri are the favorite for water sports. You can enjoy fishing and angling in India throughout the year.

There are three categories of angling.

- Mahseer fishing
- Trout fishing
- Sea fishing

The Mahseer or the Tiger of the Indian Rivers, is one of the largest freshwater fish and one of the greatest fighting fish in the world. The Mahseer is found where the river speeds through narrow gorges and spills out over a rocky river bed in Himalayas from Uttaranchal and Himachal in the West to Assam and Arunachal in the East.

The larger fish are found above large rapids and in the pools below the falls. The Trout is not indigenous to Indian waters. The Snow Trout is however found in all high altitude streams and lakes. Trout hatcheries are in operation in the Liddar River in Kashmir valley, Kulu valley. Agoda near Uttrakashi and Avalanche in the Nilgiris, Tirthan River (Himachal Pradesh).

Talking of Sea fishing, there is a good variety of game fish off the coasts of India like Baracuda, Mullet, Perch, Tuna, Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sail Fish and Sear. So the venturesome angler are sure to enjoy a worthwhile and remarkable trip in some very extraordinary regions of India like- The Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, and the western part of the Andaman Sea and port towns like Mumbai, Kandla, Nhava Sheva, Marmagao, Kochi, Kolkatta/Haldia, Paradip, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Tuticorin have facilities for coastal fishing.

The other popular fishing venues in India are : River Kavery in southern India, Jia Bhoroli river, a tributary of River Brahmaputra in Assam, the junction of Nayar River and the Ganges at Vyas Ghat, Garhwal, the juction of the Sarju River with the River Kali at Pancheshwar, Kumaon, the Junction of the Sarju River and Eastern Ramganga of Rameshwar, Kumaon, Chilka Lake in Orissa and even in some estuaries.

The basic fishing equipment requirements are 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 color- 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 a pair of dark glasses are essential and during the winter be well clad with sufficient woolens and a mackintosh.

Fishing trips should be planned in a group. To avoid inconvenience you should have knowledge of fishing sports, rest houses and license issuing center. Keep all the fishing equipment in a kit. While carrying the rod in the stretched from, never keep the top of the rod in front because it is not safe; instead but-end be kept in front. Inspect waterfronts daily.

Always wear foot gear suiting to the terrain. Fishing in Himalayas can take you face to face with some varied climates so be prepared with proper clothing, and progress outward to include water and wind protection as the final layer.

Fishing licenses are mandatory for all anglers. Mostly fishing licenses are not issued during the monsoon (when most fish species breed); in addition, most licenses are issued only for 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.

So, what are you waiting for! Pick up your fishing equipments and get going to enjoy enthralling water sports.