Freshwater Ponds

Malaysia is well endowed with freshwater ponds and lakes, the majority of which are remnants of the heyday of tin mining earlier in the century. Most of these ponds, however, are not commercial and therefore are not stocked with fish and many do not offer easy access. Although most do contain certain fish, these large bodies of water may not yield desired results. Some have been commercialised, whilst other fresh water ponds have been created to cater for anglers needs.

Most of these commercial ponds offer basic facilities such as shade, canteen and toilets. Apart from a wide variety of local fish species many of these ponds also boast an array of exotic species. Local species such as Toman have reached weights more than 30 kg whilst the Big Head Carp and the Patin (a Catfish species) have been taken at over 20 kg and 15 kg respectively.

Among the exotics, the Arapaima is perhaps the biggest with a netted specimen recorded at over 300 kg. Pacu, another South American native, have been taken on rod and line at over 15 kg. Peacock Bass is another exotic that has been introduced into selected places.

Most freshwater ponds will hold more than 20 fish species. Charges for freshwater fishing vary considerably from approx USD7 per day to approx USD3 per hour.