Fishing the Pokhara lakes, and the rivers above them

Cage aquaculture, wild sahar in the rivers, and a boatman who has fished the same water for thirty years. A quiet half-day almost nobody books.

By Dawa Gurung · 5 min read · Updated 1 August 2026

Fishing is not on anybody's Pokhara itinerary and it probably should be on a few. The lakes are fished commercially and recreationally, boatmen will take you out, and it is the quietest way to spend a morning on the water here.

It is also a good window into how the lakes actually work as an economy rather than a view.

This is not a fly-fishing destination in the western sense. Set expectations accordingly and it is a fine few hours.

What is in the water

Begnas and Phewa both carry carp species, farmed in cages and also present wild, plus tilapia and catfish. The cage aquaculture you see out on Begnas is a real local industry rather than scenery.

The prize fish in Nepal is the sahar — the golden mahseer — which lives in the rivers rather than the lakes and is a genuinely powerful sport fish. It is caught in the Seti, the Trishuli and the Kali Gandaki, and it is under pressure, so catch-and-release is the responsible approach where it is not being taken for food.

River fishing means going out with someone who knows the beats, and that is a guide arrangement rather than a rental.

The practical shape

Early morning, a rowed boat, and a few hours drifting. Begnas is the better lake for it — less traffic, less noise, and the fishing culture is more visible.

Basic tackle can be arranged locally and is basic. If you are serious, bring your own rod and terminal tackle; if you are curious, what the boatman has will do. Licensing and closed seasons exist and are administered locally. Ask your boatman or ask us rather than assuming; it varies and it changes.

Eating it

The restaurants around Begnas serve fish from the lake in front of them, and it is the reason a lot of Nepali families make the trip out from Pokhara at the weekend.

Fried whole with masala is the standard treatment and it is excellent. Ask what came out of the water that morning rather than ordering from the menu.

If you catch something and want it cooked, most lakeside places will do it.

Who this suits

Anyone who fishes at home and wants a slow morning somewhere unfamiliar. Anyone travelling with someone who does not want another viewpoint.

It is also one of the better options for a hot afternoon or a hazy day when the mountains are not showing and a walk feels pointless.

It does not suit anyone expecting managed beats, guides with qualifications and a stocked river. That industry does not exist here.

Walk it with us

Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.

Upper Seti White-water RaftingHalf day · Grade IIIRs 6,600 · See dates →Pokhara Highlights Day TourFull day · private carRs 9,200 · See dates →World Peace Pagoda LoopHalf day · 1,113 mRs 3,900 · See dates →

Questions we get asked

Do I need a licence?

Rules are administered locally and vary between the lakes and the rivers. Ask your boatman or ask us for the current position rather than trusting an old forum post.

Can I hire tackle?

Basic gear can usually be arranged. Bring your own if you care about it — the local kit is functional rather than good.

Is the mahseer fishing any good?

It can be excellent on the right river at the right time, and it is a specialist trip rather than an afternoon out. Tell us if that is the goal and we will find someone who does it properly.

Best season?

Post-monsoon into winter for clear water on the lakes. River fishing depends heavily on flow and is poor at peak monsoon.

On the water: rowing, kayaking, paddleboarding and where the quiet lake isPhewa is the famous one and it is busy. Begnas is twenty minutes away, half the price and almost empty.5 min read →The day after the trek: legs destroyed, two days spareWhat to do when you have come down off the hill, everything hurts, and you are not getting on another trail.5 min read →Adventure activities with children: what they can actually doAge limits, weight limits and the ones worth skipping. Plus the cheap things that entertain a seven-year-old better than any of it.5 min read →What the weather cancels, and what to do insteadFlying stops first, then the river, then almost nothing. A ranked list so you can plan a day that survives the forecast.5 min read →

Still deciding?

Tell us your dates and how much walking you have actually done, and we will tell you honestly whether this trek is the right one for you.

Ask a guide