Fish Species in Thailand

The Wallagoo Atu or White SheatfishBelow you will find information about many fish species in Thailand which can be caught by anglers when fishing  in and around Chiang mai.

Dreamlake fishing Resort, Borsang lake, or any one of the surrounding Chiang mai fishing Lakes or reservoirs are stocked with many wonderful fish species that should be of interest to anglers fishing in Thailand.

There are both Thai native fish species in Thailand like the world’s largest catfish species Giant Mekong Catfish, Striped Catfish, Spotted Featherback and also imported fish species like the Alligator gar and Arapaima stocked in the man made purpose built fishing lakes and fishing parks in Chiang mai. In the reservoirs just out of Chiang mai city the main target species are mainly Thai native species such as the Giant Snakehead and the Jungle Perch.

Carp Fishing Thailand:

For anglers who want to go carp fishing in Thailand then there are several species that can be caught in and around Thailand’s second city of Chiang mai. For example the rare and elusive Julliens Golden price carp, rohu (Indian carp),  small scale mud carp and most importantly the world’s largest carp species the giant Siamese carp

Lure / Fly fishing Thailand:

For Lure, Fly and Predator fishing anglers there are certainly lots of options when  fishing in Thailand. The lakes and fishing parks around Chiang mai offer encounters with some exotic fish species for instance Striped Snakehead, Peacock Bass, Red Bellied Pacu, Tiger Catfish, Dog Eating Catfish and Barramundi.

Catfish Species of Thailand:

 

Chao Phraya Catfish is a target species for fishing in Thailand Chao Phraya Catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei)

Status: Native:
The Chao Phraya catfish is found in the Mekong basin in addition to the Chao Phraya river system. On the other hand they are stocked in many man made lakes and fishing parks in Thailand for example …More>>

 

Giant mekong catfish Fishing ThailandGiant mekong catfish (Pangasianodon gigas).

Status: Native.
The Giant mekong catfish is critically endangered in his natural habitat of the Mekong river. It is one of the largest freshwater fish worldwide …More>>

 

Walking catfish species ThailandGunters walking catfish (Clarias macrocephalus).

Status: Native.
Because of his good taste walking catfish are very popular to Thai anglers. in addition they can be found for sale in many Thai restaurants. Max size 15 kg … More>>

 

Striped catfish species fishing ThailandStriped catfish (Pangasianodon hyphophthalmus).

Status: Native.
A real good fighter to max size of 30 kg. The Striped catfish is certainly a common fish that will be encountered by anglers fishing in Thailand. It is stocked in almost … More>>

 

The Shovelnose catfish or SorubimTiger Shovelnose Catfish (Sorubim lima).

Status: Introduced.
The Tiger shovelnose catfish or Barred Sorubim as it is also called is a native of the Amazon basin. These beautiful looking catfish have been introduced to many fishing lakes in Thailand  … More>>

 

Redtail catfish are a popular fish species in ThailandRedtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus).

Status: Introduced
The Redtail catfish is native to the Amazon basin however they have been introduced to many man made fishing lakes and are one of the most common caught … More>>

Carp / Barb Species of Thailand:

Common carp Cyprinus carpio species in ThailandCommon carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Staus: Native.
Common Carp are found in various lakes and resorts in Thailand. Subsequently they naturally occur in many rivers and ponds. Surprisingly anglers  …More>>

 

Giant siamese carp species in ThailandGiant siamese carp.
(Catloarpio Siamensis).

Status:Native.
The largest Carp species in the world. As a result this species is known as ‘the mother of all carp’. The giant Siamese carp has a maximum size of over 250 kg …More>>

 

Information on the Silver Java Barb species for anglers fishing in Thailand Silver Java Barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)

Status: Native:
One of the most popular farmed food fish in Thailand the Java barb or Silver barb as it is more commonly known makes good sport on light match float fishing tackle at Dreamlake More>>

 

Juliens golden price carp fish species in ThailandJullien’s Golden Price Carp (Probarbus jullieni).

Status: Native.
In short this species are very rare outside of fishing parks and fishing resorts in Thailand. As a result of over fishing and loss of habitat this species is endangered …More>>

 

Jungle perch fishing ThailandJungle Perch or Hampala Barb. (Hampala Macrolepida)

Status: Native.
Max size about 8 kg. Average size 1-2kg. Certainly respected as a very good game fish. The Jungle perch is most importantly of interest to anglers fishing at …More>>

 

Carp fishing at Dreamlake fishing resort Chiang mai ThailandSmall Scale mud carp (Cirrhina microlepis).

Status: Native.
One of a few vegetarian fish species in Thailand. They grow to max. size of 15kg. Another of the many carp species available to anglers fishing in Thailand on …More>>

 

Rohu or Indian carp fishing in ThailandRohu Indian Carp (Labeo Rohita).

Status: Introduced.
A Vegetarian. A popular game fish species in Thailand. Max: 20 kg. We catch him regularly at Dreamlake Fishing  Resort up to 10kg. Average size 3-6 kg. Regular carp fishing …More>>

 

Snakehead Species of Thailand:

The Giant snakehead fish ThailandGiant Snakehead (Channa Micropeltes).

Status:Native.
Extremely fierce and subsequently an aggressive predator fish species. Snakehead fishing in Thailand can be very exciting and Chiang mai has … More>>

 

The striped snakehead Channa striataStriped Snakehead (Channa Striata).

Status: Native.
Striped snakehead can breed in almost any size of water body. As a result they are certainly one of the most common species of fish anglers may encounter outside of … More>>

 

Other Species:

The Barramundi Lates calcarifer Asian Seabass Barramundi (Lates calcarifer).

Status: Native.
The Barramundi or Asian Sea Bass is found throughout South east Asia to Northern Australia. It is certainly very popular in Thai cuisine in addition to being a prized sport fish. barramundi can be found firstly …More>>

The Giant freshwater stingray fishing in ThailandFreshwater Stingray
(Himantura chaophraya).

Status: Native.
Rare in its natural environment with main populations around the Chao Phraya and MaeKlong river systems in Thailand. As a result of its size it is a VERY very strong fighter which sticks to the bottom, battles can go on for hours. For …More>>

 

Giant gouramiGiant Gouramy (Osphronemus Goramy).

Status: Native.
Max. size 8 kg. Rare in North Thailand outside of fishing parks. Sometimes we catch fishes up to 4 kg at Dreamlake. For the patient and skilled angler fishing in Thailand then Fly fishing for these species with mainly dry…More>>

 

Spotted featherbackSpotted Featherback (Chitala Ornata).

Status: Native.
A beautiful exotic predator fish. We catch regularly up to 4 kg at Dreamlake Fishing Resort. Max size 8-10kg. Can be caught by anglers fishing in Thailand using live and dead baits, also well presented diving lures such as Rapala …More>>

 

The Wallagoo Atu or White SheatfishWhite Sheatfish. (Wallago attu).

Status: Native.
Really rare in the wild, but sometimes caught by local fishermen in Mae Kwang Dam up to 30 kg. The Wallago can grow to 2.5 m in length. The Wallago attu is also know as the “Man eating catfish” after it supposedly developed a taste for Human flesh …More>>

Imported Species:

Alligator gar fish Thailand Dreamlake fishing resortAlligator gar
(Atractosteus spatula).

Status: Introduced.
Originally from USA the Alligator Gar can grow to  a max weight of about 100kg and up to 2m length. They grow large at Dreamlake fishing resortMore>>

 

Arapaima fishing ThailandArapaima / Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas).

Introduced to Thailand into many fishing lakes and fishing resorts from the Amazon
They are very hard-fighting and immensely powerful fish but also very delicate and should always be treated with respect. The Arapaima is one of…More>>

 

Nile Tilapia taxonomy identification Thailand Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus).

Status: Introduced.
Certainly the most common fish encountered when fishing in Thailand. A very very popular food fish in Thailand with a good taste and can be found in most restaurant’s or street market stall’s around Chiang mai …More>>

 

peacock bass in ThailandPeacock bass
(Cichla temensis and Cichla ocellaris)

Status: Introduced
Peacock bass is the common name in English for several species of tropical freshwater fish of the genus Cichla. Dreamlake fishing resort is stocked with Cichla temensis and Cichla ocellaris to …More>>

 

Red bellied pacu ThailandPacu (Piaractus brachypomus).

Status: Introduced.
Almost every Thailand fishing park and lake in Thailand holds this species because of its rapid growth and hardy nature. Native to the Amazon basin the Pacu is a very strong fighting fish and takes …More>>

 

Tambaqui fishing in Thailand at Dreamlake resort lakeTambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

Status: Introduced.
Recently stocked to Dreamlake Chiang mai. Tambaqui are native to tropical South America. It is also known as the ‘Black Pacu’, ‘Black finned Pacu’ or the ‘Giant Pacu’. These fish are hard fighting and will take a wide range of baits …More>>