4-month seasonal ban on trout fishing

The Fisheries Department of Himachal Pradesh has announced a seasonal ban on trout fishing from November 1 to February 28, 2025, to support trout breeding and conserve this valuable resource in the state’s cold-water regions.

Director of Fisheries, Vivek Chandel, shared the announcement in Bilaspur, emphasising that the ban aligns with the natural breeding season of trout, allowing for sustainable seed collection and long-term preservation of fisheries.

The department has intensified efforts to protect trout populations by deploying a monitoring force to patrol trout habitats, and cancelling the leave of employees stationed in these cold regions to ensure robust surveillance. The ban spans about 600 km across major rivers and their tributaries, including the Pabbar river in Shimla, Beas, Sarvari, Parvati, Gadsa, and Sainj rivers in Kullu, Uhl river in Mandi and Kangra and Bhandal stream in Chamba district.

The measure affects trout fishing in natural rivers and streams only; commercial trout farms are not included in the restriction. However, individuals caught fishing for trout during the ban may face fines of up to Rs 1,000 under the Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Act of 2020.

The state’s fisheries sector has been thriving, with eight departmental trout farms generating 1.55 million trout seeds, and private farmers producing 1,388.50 metric tonnes of trout valued at Rs. 76.36 crore. With over 1,442 raceways across the state, trout farming supports livelihoods and contributes to the local economy.