Fishing Licenses

[Joanne]

Does anyone know if I would need a special license to fish in India. I love fishing around the world and would love to fish in India. I also want to know if they rent fishing equipment.

 

[jnorth88]

Hi! I looked this up because I was curious myself. I have a link here for information and an application. Indiana Outdoor Licensing System

It does appear that these licenses are mandatory for fishing, but it seems straightforward. I don't think it would be hard to get one for a trip. Even if they are not well enforced, I would want to cover my fishing with one of these to avoid all sorts of trouble. I hope this helps.

 

[Admin]

I have a link here for information and an application. Indiana Outdoor Licensing System

Indiana is a state in the US and India is a country that is not governed by the government of United states of America. Licences of all kinds that you require in India are a domain of government of India.

 

[knitmehere]

If I remember correctly, you don't need one. As with anything else, though, you could get a hold of someone to ask questions about it.

 

[jnorth88]

How embarrassing on my part. I copied the wrong information. Here is the appropriate information. Fishing licences are obtained from local agencies, and can vary depending upon the area you are fishing from. Many of these seem to be NGOs for the corresponding states or regions.

In Kerala: High Range Angling Association, Munnar.
In Coorg: Coorg Wildlife Association, Madikeri.
In Karnataka: Wildlife Association of South India, Bangalore .
In Tamil Nadu: Palni Hills Game Association, Kodaikanal Assistant Director of Fisheries, Udhagamandalam.
In West Bengal: Fisheries Department, Mirik.
In Assam: Angling Association, Tejpur .
In Maharashtra: Fish Association of Powai Lake, Mumbai Tata Hydroelectric Works, Lonavla.
In Delhi: Assistant Warden of Fisheries, Delhi Administration.

They all have different websites and contact information, so you will need to do some basic searches.

 

[briannagodess]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Angling or Sport Fishing is allowed in India, as long as you have obtained the permit for it. There's about 50,000 kms of rivers, lakes and streams in India, not to mention the 3,000 kms of coastline. Majority of the cities in the country are situated in the coastline area, making angling and fishing quite an easy hobby to do. Furthermore, each state has their own Department of Fisheries, so there's an assurance of the diversity of the fishes in each region.

Some tips that you would need to remember though are:

• Most states forbid angling during the monsoon season. This is the time when fishes are breeding so it's best to schedule your trip accordingly.

• Some regions, like the Himalayas, can be very cold during the winter months. Again, schedule your trip accordingly if you decide to go angling in that region.

• You can only fish in a specified stretch of water, make sure you adhere by the guidelines given to you.

• Anglers are required to throw the fish back in the water. Furthermore, there's a limit to how much fish you can catch per day.

• For less hassle, you can contact tour operators that can handle the processes of permits and fix accommodations for you. They even provide the equipment for anglers if you'd request for it.

Now, when it comes to the permit, you can get it at any Department of Fisheries near you. Most states have them but here are some of them:

• Delhi: Office for the Assistant Warden, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department, Okhla, New Delhi - 110025

• Maharashtra: Fish Association of Powai Lake, Mumbai, Tata Hydroelectric Works, Lonavla

• Assam: Angling Association, Tejpur

• West Bengal: Fisheries Department, Benfish Tower, 31 GN Block, Salt Lake, Sector V, Kolkata, 700091

• Tamil Nadu: Palni Hills Conservation Council, Endhawin, Lower Shola Road, Kodaikanal, 624101

• Karnataka: Wildlife Association of South India, No. 19, Victoria Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

• Coorg: Coorg Wildlife Association, P.O.Box 61, Chain Gate, Madikeri, 571201

• Kerala: High Range Angling Association, Munnar - 685612, Kerala State, India

For some of the best angling destinations in India, here they are:

• Ramganga River in Uttarakhand - Fishes like Mahseer and Brown Trout can be caught here. Here, you can obtain a permit from the Divisional Forest Officer from the Corbett National Park.

• Kosi River in Uttarakhand - This river is teeming with Mahseer. You can also see lush greenery all around which is quite a nice view while fishing.

• Jia Bhoroli River in Assam - The Golden Masher is quite popular here. Other fishes found here are Saal, Gorua and Korang. There's also an annual angling competition done here during November.

I hope this helps!

 

[Admin]

Fishing Licenses in India – Everything You Need to Know (2025 Update)​

For those interested in fishing in India, obtaining a fishing license is essential in many states, especially for angling in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The regulations vary by state, and some regions have strict conservation policies.

Where to Get a Fishing License in India?​

Fishing licenses in India are issued by:
State Fisheries Departments (for rivers, lakes, and reservoirs)
Forest Departments (for fishing in national parks and protected areas)
Local Authorities or Panchayats (for village ponds or community fishing areas)

Fishing License Costs & Validity by State (2025 Updated)​

State/Region	License Type	Cost (₹)	Validity	Where to Apply?
Himachal Pradesh	Angling License	₹100 per day / ₹500 per season	1 day to 1 year	HP Fisheries Dept.
Uttarakhand	Fishing Permit	₹200 per day / ₹1000 per year	1 day to 1 year	Uttarakhand Fisheries Dept.
Kerala	Inland Fishing License	₹1000 per year	1 year	Kerala Fisheries Dept.
Goa	Recreational Fishing Permit	₹500 per trip	Per trip	Local Fisheries Office
Karnataka	Fishing in Reservoirs	₹300 per season	Seasonal	Karnataka Fisheries Dept.
Assam	River Fishing Permit	₹100 per day	1 day	Assam Fisheries Dept.
Jammu & Kashmir	Angling Permit (Trout Fishing)	₹500 per day	1 day	J&K Fisheries Dept.

Note: Prices and validity may vary based on location and updates by local authorities. Always check with the respective State Fisheries Department before planning your fishing trip.