Fishing Heaven - Chashma Barrage
Chashma barrage is very famous for fresh water game fishing. You can catch big Cat, almost all type of Carps, Snake Head, Wallago (Malli).
Wetland site is located at Indus Monsoon Forest, some 25 km southwest of Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan.
The site comprises a large barrage, a water storage reservoir and a series of embankments (serving as flood bounds) which divide the reservoir into five shallow lakes at low water levels.
THE RIVER INDUS
Gandghar Pahar with Indus in foreground, from Swabi, Pakistan - June 2006 by SaffyH - Uploading Tarnbrook Fell photos.
THE RICH FISH FAUNA
includes Gudusia chapra, Notopterus chitala, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, C. reba, Labeo rohita, L. microphthalmus, Puntius ticto, P. stigma, Barilius vagra, Wallago attu, Rita rita, Bagarius bagarius, Mystus aor, M. seenghala, Heteropneustes fossilis, utropiichthys vacha, Nandus sp., Mastacembelus armatus, M. pancalus, Ambassis nama, A. ranga and Channa punctatus.
ROAD GUIDE
Distance to Chashma is around 300 Km from Islamabad/Rawalpindi via motorway which is the shortest route. Once you are on the motor way you need to exit from Balkassar Inter change and head towards Talagang on Chakwal Talagang road, from Talagang you need to move towards Mianwali. It is around 4 to 5 hours drive depending upon your stoppage time for meals and refreshments during your journey. Road conditions are very good except when you are on the mountains near Easa Khel as there is heavy traffic being main Highway which links Karachi port to northern areas. Colorful high mountains are very scenic and you can see a big blue water natural lake alongside the mountains.
When you reach Chashma you will see huge blue water reservoirs at your right side and you would say lets camp here but don’t hurry as you need to get license from the fisheries department from the main bazar before you proceed for your selected spot otherwise you would be in trouble.
ONE OF THE FIVE WATER RESERVIORS
IMG_2781 by Revolution Inside Me.
SOME CATCHES AT CHASHMA – JHELUM LINK CANAL
There are many fishing spots and the best spot for Carp fishing is Chashma-Jhelum link Canal if there is enough water in it as some time this canal is closed due to the shortage of water in the main reservoir. It is quite wide canal and you can find a good place at the right side of the canal for setting your camp. Try to set your camp near the first bridge.
CHASHMA – JHELUM LINK CANAL
CHASHAM BARRAGE
A View of the gates of Chashma Barrage by The One an Only.
Under the barrage is also a good place for Cat and Carp fishing. You can sit on either side of the river and enjoy fishing.
SPILLED WATERS OF RIVER INDUS - CHASHMA DIK ROAD
If you wish to catch Snake Heads, just after crossing the Barrage a road leads towards DIK and you can see the River Indus at your left side. Many small roads will lead you to the river. You can find Snake Heads in the spilled waters of Indus River and if you wish to catch big carps and cat fish go to the bank of main river. In summer water speed is quite fast and it brings lot of weed as well so it would be sheer waste of time. However in winter it would be ideal to arrange a fishing trip at river side.
Hope you would have enjoyed this article.