The Beas river doesn't look like trout water at first glance — it's wide, fast, and glacial-green as it runs past Naggar. But upstream, in the stretch between Katrain and Manali, it turns into one of Himachal's better-known trout fisheries, along with the Tirthan river further south between Largi and Nagni. If you're staying in the valley and enjoy a quiet morning with a rod rather than a crowded viewpoint, it's worth doing properly rather than just wading in with a line.
Where the trout actually are
Rainbow and brown trout were introduced into Himachal's cold streams decades ago and have taken well to the Beas and Tirthan. The most fished stretch near Naggar is the roughly 18-kilometre run of the Beas from Katrain up to Manali — cold, oxygen-rich water fed by glacial melt, which is exactly what trout need. Katrain itself, a short drive from Naggar, is the practical base for this stretch and has a Fisheries Department office that handles permits.
Getting a permit
Angling in Himachal is a licensed activity, not a free-for-all — you can't just show up with a rod. Permits for the Katrain–Manali stretch are issued through the Senior Fisheries Officer's office in Katrain (the Kullu district fisheries office and the Manali tourist information centre can also point you in the right direction). Carry a photo ID, and expect to pay a modest permit fee — rates are revised from time to time, so it's worth confirming the current amount when you apply rather than relying on an old number online.
Season and rules
Trout fishing is closed every year from 1 November to the end of February, which protects the spawning season through winter. The open season runs from March through October, with April–June and September–October generally the most productive months, once the worst of the monsoon silt has settled. Each permit typically allows up to six fish per day, with a minimum length of 25 cm for trout — anything smaller goes back in the water. Only rod-and-line fishing is permitted, and within 100 metres of any bridge, rod and line is the only method allowed regardless. Permits are non-transferable, so the person named on it is the one who should be holding the rod.
A few practical tips
- Best time of day: early morning and late afternoon, when the water is calmer and trout are more active.
- Gear: a light spinning rod with small spoons or spinners works well; some anglers do better with local guides who know the pools.
- Getting there: Katrain is about 20–25 minutes from Naggar by road, making it an easy half-day outing.
- What to bring: polarised sunglasses, a hat, and layers — the water stays cold even when the valley air warms up.
If you'd rather sort out the permit logistics after you arrive instead of over the phone, Ghar in the Hills in Naggar makes a comfortable, unhurried base for a morning by the river — ask at check-in and someone can usually point you toward the Katrain office and a good stretch of water.
Whether you catch anything or not, a morning by the Beas with a rod in hand is one of the more peaceful ways to spend a day in the Kullu Valley. Sort your permit in Katrain, respect the size and bag limits, and enjoy water that's a lot cleaner and colder than it looks from the road.