Find Your Water: Rivers & Reservoirs
The named stretches, beats and spots across Himachal — where the trout hold, where the mahseer run, and how to reach each one.
Trout waters — designated stretches
Himachal has roughly 600 km of cold trout water in the upper valleys. These are the officially designated stretches, with the nearest town to base yourself in.
| River / region | Stretch | Tourist destination nearby | Length | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beas | Katrain to Manali | Manali, Naggar, Kullu | 18 km | Kullu |
| Tirthan | Largi to Nagni | Jibhi, Gushaini, Sojha | 20 km | Kullu |
| Sainj | Largi to Ropa | Shanghar, Kullu | 22 km | Kullu |
| Lambadug (Uhl tributary) | Barot to Lohardi | Barot, Rajgundha | 6 km | Mandi |
| Uhl | Barot to Kothikhad | Barot, Rajgundha | 10 km | Mandi |
| Ravi | Holi to Main Bridge | Chamba | 5 km | Chamba |
★ Tirthan is a protected reserve. No hydropower projects are permitted on the river or its tributaries by HP Government order, and it is stocked with brown and rainbow trout fingerlings every year.
Key fishing spots, by river
| River / region | Distance from base | Key fishing spots |
|---|---|---|
| Rohru, Pabbar River | 120 km from Shimla | Chirgaon, Seema, Mandli, Saandhsu, Tikri, Dhamwari |
| Sangla, Baspa River | 250 km from Shimla; 50 km from Kalpa | Sangla (2621m), Kupa, Batseri — glacial clear water except in monsoon |
| Barot, Uhl River | 107 km from Dharamshala; 51 km from Bir | Luhandi, Puran Hatchery, Lachkkandi, Tikkar, Balh, Kamand |
| Kullu, Beas River | Manali to Panarsa | Patlikuhl, Katrain, Raison, Sarveri, Parbati, Sajoin, Phojal and Garsa tributaries |
| Pulga / Kasol, Parvati River | Bhuntar upstream to Manikaran | Kasol (5 km before Manikaran), Manikaran confluence |
Mahseer fishing — the best beats
Mahseer (Tor putitora) are found in the Kangra valley, the lower Beas and Pong Dam. Most beats below need a fisheries licence from the local sub-inspector — always confirm the current open-season dates with the District Fisheries Officer before you travel.
| Beat / location | River / water | Access route | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sari Marog (Seri Mulag) | Beas — Binwa confluence | Via Palampur → Andretta → Jaisinghpur; 3 km footpath from the village (45 min steep climb) | Deep pools, large fish; some of the finest HP mahseer |
| Harsi Pattan to Nadaun | River Beas | Palampur–Bhawarana–Thural road; easily accessible | Mandh-Khad confluence, Lambagaon pool, Neogal confluence (Alampur), Ambter (2 km above Nadaun) |
| Chamba Pattan | River Beas | Via Jwalamukhi road (8.5 km) | Three beats — Chamba Pattan Pool, Kaleshwar beat, Upper Chamba Pattan Run; cannot be fished in one day |
| Kuru (Kuran) | Beas — Khad confluence | Via Dehra–Jwalamukhi road; 3 km footpath (peepal tree + water tank at the road) | Kuru Pool at the khad–Beas junction; exceptional past catches |
| Dehra & Pong Dam Reservoir | Pong Reservoir | Pathankot → Jassur; or Chandigarh → Talwara; or Dharamshala → Dehra → Nagrota Surian | Excellent near-round fishing when the season is open; multiple approach routes |
| Gaura — Giri River | Giri & Ashni confluence (Solan / Sirmaur) | Solan → Rajgarh road (~30 km); over the Giri bridge | Historic spot of the erstwhile Patiala rulers; scenic plum orchards; still good prospects |
| Yamuna — Naughat Ferry downstream | Yamuna River | Approach via Paonta Sahib | Good general angling stretch in Sirmaur district |
General waters — mahseer & mixed stretches
| River | Stretch / beat | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beas | Seri Mulag — Binwa confluence | 5 km | Deep pools; large mahseer |
| Beas | Harsipattan — Kunha tributary confluence | 10 km | Multiple accessible beats |
| Beas | Chamba Pattan | 5 km | 3 named beats; 1+ day to fish properly |
| Beas | Kuran / Kuru Pool | 5 km | Khad–Beas confluence; exceptional history |
| Beas | Dehra Gopipur | 10 km | Pong approach; good mahseer |
| Beas | Baner area | 5 km | Lower Beas general waters |
| Giri | Ashni stream — Giri confluence (Solan / Sirmaur) | — | Gaura beat — historic; scenic |
| Bata | General waters | — | Lower HP foothill stream |