Fishing In Chiang Rai

[Bargash]

Good morning people,

Well it seems like the air is getting more clean and breathing actually is fun outside the house now. I really arrived at the wrong time in CR last month for the first time visiting here.

I have some questions about fishing.

Do you know any good fishing locations in CR? Do you fish yourself? If so, which method do you use to fish? What kind of bait are you using etc? I would really like to know as the shop attendant could not give me a clear answer.

Thanks!

[sceadugenga]

Most of the locals fish in stocked ponds but there is free fishing in the lakes/dams and rivers in the area.

Worms are pretty standard bait and the water is burleyed with bread to attract fish.

The best bait are live shrimp but they are hard to come by.

Main catches are catfish... pla-duk and Tilapia... pla-nin?.

IanForbes who posts regularly in the Chiang Mai forum is a very experienced local fisherman. Send him a PM.

[villagefarang]

Thais fish pretty much anywhere and everywhere. They don't care about size and no fish is ever released. Fishing is often a way to put extra food on the table so the subtleties of sport fishing are lost on most. Best to make friends with some Thai fishermen and let them show you around. If there are people around it might be best to ask permission before fishing as some villages have restrictions in place on when you can fish. Not that people typically pay attention.

One of the fishing parks might be a place to start and to meet other fishermen.

Some fish in their back yard.

Some fish in village ponds.

Some fish in the river below the sluice gates.

Some fish in reservoirs.

[DonaldBattles]

Fishing at Don's Cafe in Doi Hang on the road to the National Park is free for cafe customers but with restrictions. The fishing rules are posted. The two lakes are about 10 years old and the fish get fed every 3 days.Don's is open from 12:00 to 19:00 and closed on sunday and Monday. There is a good selection of western and Thai foods on the menu along with portion cut vacuum packed sausages, bacon, steaks and burgers for cooking at home. Also good selection of Mexican foods.

[toybits]

My friends (Thais) go fishing for snake head is many different places around Chiang Rai. They usually go out on Sundays. If you speak Thai - I could introduce you to them. Otherwise - it would be rather uncomfortable for them to have you go with them.

[Bargash]

Thanks guys. I don't speak a lot of Thai yet so I can't do that I'm afraid, but I love the tips here. What are the restrictions Don?

Just gotta figure out how to get worms as digging doesn't seem to help much haha

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[sceadugenga]

The local way of worm hunting is to pour soapy water into the ground and the worms come to the surface to escape the suds.

Ants eggs are popular for the small fish that they cook crispy but they do involve digging.

[ImageDude]

Just gotta figure out how to get worms as digging doesn't seem to help much haha

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I have fished probably all the venues in and around CR for the past 8 years. Take it from me, for snakeheads you need lures as they are predatory, for most other species, you need bread, bread and yet more bread, in diffrerent guises. If you want to start fishing in Chiang Rai then you are more than welcome to contact me anytime after May 1st and I will point you in the right direction.

Cheers

ImageDude

[villagefarang]

So ID, you are the guy who sneaks into our backyard at night and helps himself to our pet fish.

Actually I have yet to see anyone successfully hook a single fish in our pond. Nets seem to be the only thing that works on our pets.

[ImageDude]

So ID, you are the guy who sneaks into our backyard at night and helps himself to our pet fish.

Actually I have yet to see anyone successfully hook a single fish in our pond. Nets seem to be the only thing that works on our pets.

I haven't as yet got round to you, but now I have seen those lovely 'Red Bellied Pacu ' or Pla Salamit as the Thai's say you can expect a visit. This species are herbivores and you can mix a good bait for them, but I am not giving away any of my secrets. I have caught many in CR up to 15kgs in weight and they are very good eating at around 2kgs. Incidentally the Pla Nin or Nile Tilapia that you see in vast numbers on the market are a species that was introduced into Thailand by the King in the 1960's as a food source because they are a fast growing fish.

I take it by the absence of a reply that Bargash is no longer interested in fishing.

Cheers

ImageDude

[Bargash]

Hey hey hey! Im interested haha. I was out for a while celebrating in chiang Mai. Would love some directions mate. Thanks a lot!