Fishing the Pokhara lakes, and the rivers above them
Cage aquaculture on the lakes, wild sahar in the rivers, and a boatman who has fished the same water for thirty years. A quiet half-day that few visitors ever book.
By the Lakeshore team · 5 min read · Updated 5 October 2026
Fishing isn't on anybody's Pokhara itinerary, and it probably should be on a few. The lakes are fished commercially and for fun, the boatmen will take you out, and it's the quietest way to spend a morning on the water here.
You also get a good look at how the lakes work as an economy.
This isn't a fly-fishing destination in the western sense. Set your expectations accordingly and it's a fine few hours.
What's in the water
Begnas and Phewa both hold several carp species, farmed in cages and also wild, plus tilapia and catfish. The fish cages you see out on Begnas are part of a local industry.
The prize fish in Nepal is the sahar, or golden mahseer, which lives in the rivers, not the lakes, and is a powerful sport fish. It's caught in the Seti, the Trishuli and the Kali Gandaki, and it's under pressure, so catch-and-release is the responsible approach unless it's being taken for food.
River fishing means going out with someone who knows the beats, so you arrange it through a guide.
How a morning goes
It's an early start, a rowed boat and a few hours drifting. Begnas is the better lake for it, with less traffic and less noise, and the fishing culture is easier to see.
Tackle can be arranged locally, and it's basic. If you're serious, bring your own rod and terminal tackle. If you're curious, whatever the boatman has will do. Licences and closed seasons exist and are handled locally, so ask your boatman or ask us before assuming anything, because the rules vary and change.
Eating it
The restaurants around Begnas serve fish from the lake in front of them, and that's why a lot of Nepali families make the trip out from Pokhara at the weekend.
The standard way is fried whole with masala, and it's excellent. Ask what came out of the water that morning before you order off the menu.
If you catch something and want it cooked, most lakeside places will do it.
Who this suits
It suits anyone who fishes at home and wants a slow morning somewhere new, or anyone travelling with someone who has had enough of viewpoints.
On a hot afternoon, or a hazy day when the mountains aren't showing and a walk feels pointless, it's one of the better options.
Don't come expecting managed beats, qualified fishing guides and a stocked river. That industry doesn't exist here.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
Do I need a licence?
The rules are set locally and vary between the lakes and the rivers. Ask your boatman, or ask us, for the current position instead of trusting an old forum post.
Can I hire tackle?
Basic gear can usually be arranged. Bring your own if you care about it, because the local kit works but isn't good.
Is the mahseer fishing any good?
It can be excellent on the right river at the right time, but it's a specialist trip, not an afternoon out. If that's your goal, tell us and we'll find someone who does it properly.
Best season?
From the end of the monsoon into winter, when the lakes run clear. River fishing depends heavily on flow and is poor at peak monsoon.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates, and we'll tell you whether Upper Seti White-water Rafting is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830