Pahalgam is one of Kashmir's popular trout fishing beats. Kashmir is famous for its trout although they tend to be rather small. Additionally, fishing licences are hard to get and rather expensive. A compulsion is to keep am guide and one is also permitted to catch six fishes, which is the daily limit.

The Lidder Valley is a fisherman's dream - pure mountain air, serene tranquility and bountifully populated waters. The Lidder River feeds the entire region of lush meadows and magnificent clear lakes with a series of tributaries and streams, all of which teem with rainbow and brown trout. The best time for fishing stretches from April to September, and the best spots are recorded by locals, so we always know where to head to find the best fishing beets.

We arrange fishing expeditions out of Srinagar into the Lidder Valley on an individual basis, according to your time frame and according to the best current fishing locations. Permits are issued for a maximum of three days at a time on a first-come-first-served basis, and are charged on a per day per rod basis. We will arrange your permit as well as the hire of fishing equipment if you require. Overnight expeditions in the Valley are available, sleeping in modern tents, with cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and cooked evening meals provided.

The Fishing Season

The season runs from April to October. Only artificial flies are allowed and each licence entitles the angler to keep six fish a day, none being shorter than 7.5 cm. Beats may be reserved for a day or a week at a time in one of the three basic types of streams.

Larger rivers like Sindh or Liddar are full with snow, melting from May to July, with an occasional pool under boulders. Spinning is allowed here, but the wet fly and weighted cast tests the skill of the angler and will produce good results. In April, August and September these rivers are quieter, and the bigger fish are said to lie in the stiller waters.

Tributaries and water channels near these mainstream beats provide another type of fishing throughout the season. These are the smaller streams where only flies are allowed, with wet fly fishing good all season. The third type are the small spring fed streams and high altitude lakes suitable for both dry and wet fly tackle.

Equipments Used for Fishing

Complete facilities for the fishing are made available by the administration and tourism department for the ease of the travelers. It is difficult to carry a light two to three metre fishing rods as hand luggage on aircraft for security and other reasons with an eight cm reel will suffice. As flies are one of the important requirements for the fishing in Kashmir, the generally used flies in Kashmir include Peacock, March Brown, Butcher, Jinger Quill, Coachman, Woodcock & Green and Watson's Fancy.

Geography of Pahalgam

Pahalgam is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district in the Indian District of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, and every year, many tourists visit Pahalgam.
Pahalgam is located at 34.03° N and 75.33°E.It has an average elevation of 2740 meters (8989 feet).
Arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth, the town of Pahalgam (Village of Shepherds) offers you breathe taking views.

How to reach Pahalgam

By Air: The nearest airport is located in Badgam District.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is located at Jammu.

By Road: Pahalgam can be reached from Srinagar and Anantnag.