North West Frontier Province located on both banks of the river Indus and stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the deserts in the south where it is bordered by the Baluchistan and Punjab provinces. On its western flank is the rugged terrain of neighboring country Afghanistan, which is accessed via the historic Khyber Pass through the mountains of the Suleiman Range. Its borders touch or are close to those of China, the Tajikistan and the disputed territory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the north. The capital of the province is the city of Peshawar.

Geographically the province could be divided into two zones: the northern one extending from the ranges of the Hindukush to the borders of Peshawar basin; and the southern one extending from Peshawar to the Derajat basin. The northern zone is cold and snowy in winters with heavy rainfall and pleasant summers with the exception of Peshawar basin which is hot in summer and cold in winter. It has moderate rainfall. The southern zone is raid with hot summers and relatively cold winters and scantly rainfall. Its climate varies from very cold (Chitral in the north) to very hot in places like D.I. Khan.

Its snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys of unusual beauty attract tourists and mountaineers from far and wide while its art and architecture no less known than the historic Khyber Pass. Once the cradle of Gandhara civilization, the area is now known for its devout Muslims who jealously guard their religion and culture and the way of life which they have been following for centuries.
Fishing Places

River Indus (Abasin)

River Indus is the longest and most important river in Pakistan and one of the most important rivers on the Indian subcontinent. Originating in the Tibetan plateau in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar, the river runs a course through Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India and Northern Areas, flowing through the North in a southerly direction along the entire length of country, to merge into the Arabian Sea near Pakistan's port city Karachi.
Indus Delta in NWFP gives vast variety of Fish species including, Mahseer, Rahu, China Carp, Swati, Torki, Pooha, Mali and Khaga. Main spot for fishing is KhairAbad (Attock) which is approximately 90 KM from Peshawar. In Khairabad River Indus meets with River Kabul and produces spectacular scenery when blue water mixes with brown or muddy water. This area was popular for Mahsher Fishing in the past and also produced different variety of fish for anglers.
Main junction of River Indus & River Kabul is heavily fished by peoples who use electricity to catch fish produced by generators from the boats. This practice go on day and night. Also river banks are disturbed by Dynamites. All these practices are under the notice of Fisheries department but no action has been taken to stop it.
After the construction of Ghazi-Barotha Project Indus Delta’s wild life (from Topi to Khairabad) has severely been damaged because there is no water fish breeding & water fowl migration season.

River Kabul

Kabul River is a river that rises in the Sanglakh Range of Afghanistan, separated from the watershed of the Helmand by the Unai Pass. It is the main river in the eastern part of Afghanistan. It flows 700 km before joining the Indus River near Attock . It passes through the cities of Kabul, Chaharbagh, Jalalabad, and flowing into Pakistan some 30 km north of the
Khyber Pass.

It is one of the main fishing spots near Peshawar city. From Warsak Dam to Khairabad it flows from variety of terrain. It has different variety of Fish e.g. Mahsher, Mali, China Carp, Khaga, Swati, Torki, Soul etc. Main fishing season starts at August when water level starts decreasing and lasts upto March. Mahsher can hardly be found now days with Mali and Khagas vanished from the river and very hard to find.
Approximately 80 pounds Sulemani Khaga (Mujahid) was caught in this river in year 2007 using net.
Its fish habitat is destroyed by extensive netting, dynamite, electric shocks & poison. Villagers use all these methods to catch fish. All these practices are under the notice of Fisheries department but no action has been taken to stop it.
River Kabul

River Kalpani
Kalpani River flows from Northern NWFP and crosses in the middle of Mardan City (Second largest city of NWFP) and meets with River Kabul near Nowshera City. It is 45 KM away from Peshawar. It was one of the main fish breeding spot. Majority of the year its water is clear and depth is very good with a nice gentle flow to give fish protection and angler good chance. Main fish preset is China Carp & Mali.
Mardan Sugar Mills industrial waste mixes in Kalpani River and kills all the fish which migrates upstream in the breeding of high flood season. Fish do travel in it when there is a high flood in River Kabul and moves upstream and stays till Mardan Sugar Mills starts its production.
Its fish habitat is destroyed by extensive netting, dynamite, electric shocks & poison. Villagers use all these methods to catch fish. All these practices are under the notice of Fisheries department but no action has been taken to stop it.

River Khiali (Swat)
Khiali River flows approximately 15 KM from Peshawar towards Charsadda. It is basically river swat which flows from rocky mountains to plain area of NWFP. River Khiali meets with River Kabul and produce nice angling spot. Recommended fishing time of this river is after July when water level starts decreasing. Variety of fish can be found from Mighty Mahasher to other species like Mali, Swati etc.
Its fish habitat is destroyed by extensive netting, dynamite, electric shocks & poison. Villagers use all these methods to catch fish. All these practices are under the notice of Fisheries department but no action has been taken to stop it.

Tarbela Dam
Tarbela Dam is a largest dam on the Indus River in Pakistan. It is located about 50 kilometers North-West of Islamabad near Haripur District. It is one of the largest earth filled dams in the world and it is a major source of Pakistan's total hydroelectric capacity.
Tarbela Dam is one of the main spots where anglers can still able to catch Mahsher Fish. It also have Rahu, China Carp, Silver Carp & Saul fish. Biggest Mahsher from Peshawar angler was caught from Tarbela lake was 55 Pounds (Alas we don’t have its photograph).
Main fishing season for Mahsher starts from April when water level starts rising in the lake and it remains upto September till water level starts decreasing.
Tarbela Dam is given on contract to private parties for fishing. If this practice stops then this lake can be one of the beautiful spots for arranging fish safaris for Mahsher’s.

Chakdara
Chakdara town is located in Malakand, NWFP, Pakistan. Chakdara is an important town of Lower Dir, located on the bank of the Swat river. It is about 130 km from Peshawar and 48 km away from Saidu Sharif.
This place is amazing Mahsher Fishing spot on River Swat. River current is high here and it is challenge to land Mahsher to the bank.
There is 2 KM river belt reserved by Political Administration to save Mahsher Fish species. You can acquire permission/permit from Political Agent office.
Biggest Mahsher caught by Peshawar Angler from Chakdara is 50 Pounds from Mr. Gul Ahmed (Renowned angler) on spoon back in 1980’s.

Tanda Dam
Tanda Dam is located in Kohat District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. The site comprises a small water storage area in semi-arid hills in the catchments of the Kohat Toi River. Although most of the shoreline is steep, stony and devoid of aquatic vegetation, at the west end there are some areas of gently shelving muddy shores with a small amount of emergent vegetation.
This dam was one of the engineering masterpieces at that time when it was constructed. Engineers built 300 Meters water tunnel in the hill to fill the dam. It was built in 1960.
Main fishing spot is where water fells in the dam from water tunnel.
Record of catching Mahsher from Tanda Dam is 55 Fish in one day on spoon from Mr. Anwar Javed Tajik (My real uncle). It can tell you the picture about Mahsher population in it. But it happened in 1972. Now you can hardly see any Mahsher in it only China Carp can be found. This beautiful water reservoir was given on contract to private parties by fisheries department and extensive netting destroyed Mahsher population.

Carp Recreation Pond
It is located 15 KM from Peshawar City on Warsak Road near Mathra village. This pond located in Carp Hatchery Centre which is maintained by fisheries department with 1 Assistant Director fisheries permanently based in it. You have to take permit to fish in the pond. It is a big pond but with very low water depth which is not more than 3 feet maximum. It was opened to public anglers in Year 2002. It gave very good fishing sport in first year maximum size fish caught was 6 Kg China carp & 4 Kg Rahu. After that its fish population reduced day by day. Water level was never good for fishing. Last time water level was 1 Foot when I visited the place. Fisheries department closed it for 1 year that is 2006 reason told to angler was they want to give depth to this pond and want to put good size fish but it was never done.
If you talk to Fisheries department they will always complain of low resources & staff. But if any one visit this pond can easily see there efficiency. If they cannot maintain small fish pond in there own territory/premises where public access is not easy then how can they do their job in remote sides. What should we call it inefficiency or corruption or something else?