Fishing in China
Including Beidaihe Coastal Strip, Changshou Lake, and Erhai Lake. On the map.
The vibe
Fishing is deeply ingrained in the local culture, offering a chance to see how people have interacted with these waters for generations. The activity is year-round, though the specific species you encounter change with the seasons, making every trip feel like a new lesson in local ecology. It feels like a very local, authentic experience where you are often joining a traditional boat or standing alongside residents on a pier rather than participating in a high-end charter holiday.
local fishing permit
Beidaihe Coastal Strip
Hebei
pzhui / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
A popular coastal resort area along the Bohai Sea offering accessible beach casting, rocky outcrop fishing, and nearshore charter boat excursions.
Access. Located in Qinhuangdao, easily reached from Beijing by train. Tackle shops and local charter boats are readily available along the beachfront.
Notes. Summer swimming seasons may restrict beach casting in crowded bathing areas; early morning or off-season fishing is recommended.
Changshou Lake, Chongqing
Chongqing
Shichen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A sprawling artificial lake and scenic recreational area in Chongqing municipality, heavily stocked with carp, grass carp, and silver carp, making it a favorite for weekend freshwater anglers.
Access. Located about an hour from Chongqing city center, with dedicated angling platforms, boat rentals, and lakeside tackle vendors.
Notes. Day tickets or local fishing permits are required at commercial platforms around the reservoir.
Erhai Lake, Dali
Yunnan
Timfrakes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A high-plateau fault lake nestled in Yunnan province, offering serene freshwater angling against a backdrop of the Cangshan Mountains. Popular among anglers for carp, crucian carp, and local whitebait species.
Access. Easily accessed from Dali old town and surrounding lakeside villages. Shore access is widely available, and small fishing boats can be chartered from local operators.
Notes. Certain sections of the lake are protected ecological reserves where fishing is strictly prohibited. Check municipal guidelines for permitted angling zones.
Fuxian Lake
Yunnan
Zhangmoon618 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
One of the deepest and clearest freshwater lakes in China, featuring pristine alpine waters and unique endemic species such as the Fuxian golden carp and various native bass. The rugged shoreline and deep drop-offs provide exceptional lake fishing experiences.
Access. Readily accessible from Chengjiang City. Local guides, boat rentals, and tackle shops operate along the northern and eastern shores.
Notes. Fishing regulations are strictly enforced to protect endemic species. Visitors must check current seasonal restrictions and obtain local permits before casting.
Lantau Island Coastal Waters
Hong Kong
Scotted400 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
The waters surrounding southern Lantau Island are known for productive reef and rock fishing, particularly near the Soko Islands. Anglers target large snapper and cobia in these deeper, cleaner channels.
Access. Charter boats can be arranged from Tung Chung or Mui Wo. Shore fishing is popular along the rocky outcrops near Shek Pik.
Notes. No license required for sea fishing. Avoid the restricted zones around the airport and designated marine protected areas.
Li River and Guilin Karst Waters
Guangxi
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Scenic limestone riverine system winding through dramatic karst peaks, providing tranquil freshwater fishing for native river species amidst iconic landscapes.
Access. Accessible from Guilin and Yangshuo via riverside paths or local bamboo raft rentals equipped for fishing enthusiasts.
Notes. Certain river sections are protected for ecological conservation and cormorant tourism; visitors should verify legal angling stretches with local guides.
Macau Inner Harbour Waterfront
Macau
LN9267 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Inner Harbour area along the western coast of the Macau Peninsula offers urban waterfront and estuarine angling opportunities where local anglers target bream, flathead, and assorted estuarine species. The tidal currents meeting the Pearl River Delta outflow create active feeding zones along the seawalls and piers.
Access. Accessible entirely on foot from central Macau. Anglers fish directly from public promenades and pier access points with conventional rod and reel tackle.
Notes. Anglers should check local marine department regulations regarding permitted fishing zones along commercial shipping channels. No special freshwater license is required for tidal saltwater angling in these public zones.
Qiandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake)
Zhejiang
江上清风1961 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
A vast, crystal-clear reservoir spanning over 1,000 square kilometers, renowned for its rich freshwater fish populations including Chinese carp, mandarin fish, and catfish. Anglers flock to its countless wooded islands, deep bays, and coves for scenic boat and shore fishing.
Access. Accessible via boats and local fishing guides based around Chun'an County. Gear rental and chartered fishing boats can be arranged through local angling clubs and lakeside resorts.
Notes. A local fishing permit is required. Certain protected reservoir zones and spawning seasons have strict catch-and-release rules or total closures.
Qinghai Lake
Qinghai
Qinghai Lake — Wikidata / Wikimedia Commons
China's largest inland saltwater lake situated on the Tibetan Plateau, known for its vast turquoise expanse and endemic naked carp populations.
Access. Located a few hours' drive from Xining; accessible via perimeter roads with designated areas for shore visitors.
Notes. Strict conservation laws protect the endemic naked carp; catch-and-release or total fishing bans may apply depending on current provincial wildlife protection decrees.
Songhua River, Harbin
Heilongjiang Province
JacobLyu / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A major northern river flowing through Heilongjiang province, famous for diverse freshwater sportfish including wild trout, lenok, and pike, with unique ice-fishing traditions in winter.
Access. Accessible directly from urban riverbanks in Harbin as well as more remote stretches upstream with local fishing guides.
Notes. Extreme winter conditions require specialized ice-fishing gear and safety precautions. Seasonal fishing closures protect spawning fish in spring.
Tolo Harbour and Plover Cove
Hong Kong
Wright / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Tolo Harbour is a popular destination for shore-based anglers looking to catch flathead, croaker, and various bream species. The long stretches of breakwaters and public piers provide accessible spots for casual fishing.
Access. Accessible by public transport from Tai Po or Ma On Shan. Fishing is commonly practiced from the public piers and the Plover Cove Reservoir dam.
Notes. Freshwater fishing in Plover Cove Reservoir requires a specific license from the Water Supplies Department, while saltwater fishing in the harbour does not.
Wanfeng Lake, Guizhou
Guizhou Province
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
A renowned sportfishing paradise formed by the Hongshui River hydroelectric project, boasting deep waters and large populations of massive carp, catfish, and mandarin fish surrounded by karst hills.
Access. Accessible via Xingyi City in Guizhou province, with numerous specialized fishing rafts, boat rentals, and angling lodges operating on the lake.
Notes. Local reservoir management fees apply for floating fishing platforms and overnight stays on angling rafts.
Wuzhizhou Island Coastal Waters, Sanya
Hainan
lntlxht奚洪涛 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tropical offshore reef waters off the coast of Hainan Island offering vibrant nearshore marine angling. Anglers target tropical reef species, groupers, and snappers in warm, clear waters using light tackle and bottom-fishing charters.
Access. Reached via ferry from the Sanya mainland, with charter boats and fishing gear available directly through island excursion operators and marine sports hubs.
Notes. Fishing is restricted to designated zones outside marine protected coral reserves. Visitors should book licensed charter boats that comply with local Hainan maritime regulations.
Zhoushan Archipelago Coastal Waters
Zhejiang
Gmbsfd / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
China's largest archipelago, located off the coast of Zhejiang province at the mouth of Hangzhou Bay, famous for rich marine biodiversity and productive coastal and offshore fishing grounds.
Access. Accessible via ferries and bridges from Ningbo, with numerous commercial sportfishing charters, guide services, and tackle shops operating out of Shenjiamen and surrounding islands.
Notes. Seasonal fishing moratoriums apply to the East China Sea during summer months. Visitors must ensure charters adhere to local maritime safety and licensing laws.