Where are the best fishing spots in Malaysia? I wanted to list the top 10 fishing spots in Malaysia but thought I better leave that open for continuous future updates as destination popularity come and go, catch-rates go up and down.
This post was originally posted on December 2019. Last update January 2022.
By not listing a “Top 10” there is the flexibility of adding new spots if they become available. I hope you find this guide useful.
All featured spots are places we have experience in. There are probably other fishing spots that may be good but are not listed.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As we all know, there have been constant changes around the world since 2020 because of you know what. As things keep evolving it is almost impossible to keep up at times so some of the places mentioned in this post may need updating depending on when you land on this page. To get the latest information, you can leave a comment below or contact us.
*If you feel we left out any good locations to be featured here or an update is needed on a mentioned place, please leave a comment below or contact us.
Here are our top picks in alphabetical order. But first…
Do you need a fishing license to fish in Malaysia?
Recreational fishing does not require any license in Malaysia. However, permits or a fee may be needed for some areas such as state or national parks.
BELUM TEMENGGOR LAKE (Air Ganda/Beris Lake/Kenyir Lake)
Lake or reservoir fishing with lures, fly fishing or bait fishing.
- Fish species: Toman (Giant snakehead), sebarau (hampala barb aka jungle perch), giant guorami.
- Distance from KLIA: 420 km
- Distance from KL city center: 370 km
Royal Belum toman (giant snakehead) Video Playlist
Why is this place popular?
Royal Belum and Temenggor in the state of Perak lake are some of main fishing spots for giant snakehead in Malaysia. Air Ganda also in Perak, Beris lake in Kedah and Kenyir lake in Pahang are also popular destinations.
More about fishing in Royal Belum Temenggor lake
EMPANGAN AIR KUNING (EAK)
(Stocked freshwater fishing pond with a difference!)
Also known as EAK Fly Fishing and Lure Casting Center
- Fish species: Pacu (primary), jelawat (mad barb), toman (giant snakehead)
- Catch and Release only
- Lure, fly fishing and bait fishing allowed.
- Distance from KLIA: 50 km
- Distance from KL city center: 36 km
Watch video of EAK
Why is it nice?
- One of the best place to catch pacu in KL.
- A rainforest in the city! That’s how we’d describe EAK as it’s located deep in a rainforest reserve and within the national botanical gardens.
Getting there: The only public transportation is taxi or ride-hailing. Get a park-entry ticket upon arrival and find your way to the pond (Hint: Not the easiest thing to do always). Fishing fee is payable at the pond to the operator.
Tip: Having a guide will likely save you a lot of hassle.
JUGRA SALTWATER FISHING POND
(Stocked saltwater fishing pond)
- Catch and Release only
- Lure and fly fishing. No bait fishing allowed.
- Fish species: Redfish/red drum, barramundi, grouper, gt
- Distance from KLIA: 43 km
- Distance from KL city center: 63 km
Latest Updates from our visits to Jugra
Why is this a top spot?
Nearly never fails to produce catch. Barramundi are most willing. Variety of species in different ponds.
See posts about Jugra Catch & Release Pond
KUALA ROMPIN
Sailfish capital of Asia. Inshore/offshore saltwater fishing.
No surprise why Rompin is listed here. Arguably the most renowned fishing destination in Malaysia that many big game anglers from around the world are aware of.
- Bait, bottom, lure, fly fishing.
- Fish species: Indo-pacific sailfish, marlin, giant trevally, cobia, queenfish, other tropical saltwater species.
- Distance from KLIA: 270 km
- Distance from KL city center: 300 km
Fishing in Kuala Rompin video playlist
Why is this a top spot?
Among the top international big game sport fishing destinations. Also known as the sailfish capital of Asia. Affordable fishing for what you are getting.
If you’re in Malaysia, in the region, or planning a trip to this part of the world, you should definitely take the opportunity to go sailfish fishing in Rompin.
Tip: A lot of operators here. Due to competition some make all sort of claims. Do your homework.
More about sailfish fishing in Kuala Rompin.
LANGKAWI ISLAND
(saltwater inshore fishing)
- Lure, fly fishing, bait fishing
- Fish species: Seasonal record size ladyfish (giant herring), juvenile gt, and other tropical species.
- Distance from KLIA: 413 km by air
Why is this a top spot?
Beautiful island destination. Great for an island holiday destination, too.
The giant herring are the top draw here, especially for fly fishers, but you need to get the timing right to have some chances. The other species not so much as they tend to be mostly on the smaller sizes (unless you do not mind that of course)
EXOTIC POND | Natural Exotic Fish Fishing Pond (NEFFP)
(Stocked freshwater fishing pond)
- Catch and Release only
- Lure and fly fishing. “Controlled” bait fishing allowed.
- Fish species: Variety of large exotic fish species e.g. chaophraya catfish, Mekong catfish, amazon redtail catfish, pacu, and more
- Distance from KLIA: 133 km
- Distance from KL city center: 88 km
What are the attractions here?
- Huge exotic fish species. Well stocked.
- Fairly clean place and well built although not exactly ‘natural’ looking at all.
- Located in Behrang, this pond offers anglers the opportunity to catch exotic species they’d otherwise not encounter in the local waters.
PULAU JARAK (JARAK ISLAND)
Offshore saltwater fishing from boat.
- Lures, popping, jigging, bottom/bait fishing.
- Fish species: Giant trevally, snappers, other tropical saltwater fish
- Distance from KLIA: 273 km
- Distance from KL city center: 230 km
Why is Jarak popular?
A popular saltwater destination amongst some local anglers popping and jigging for giant trevally and others.
SABAH
River fishing for mahseer, sebarau (picture above), brackish water fishing for Borneo black bass, barramundi, mangrove jack, and other estuarine fish, and inshore saltwater fishing.
- Capital and main airport: Kota Kinabalu
- Location: North of Borneo island
A Sabah Fishing Video
Why fish in Sabah?
Sabah is famous for its scenery and nature. Also well known for Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest peaks of Southeast Asia, the orang-utan, Pygmy elephants, Danum Valley, Kinabatangan River and proboscis monkey. The state also has good river conservations.
Leave a comment below or write to us if you want us to feature a place.
If you have questions or need more information about fishing in Malaysia, please leave a feedback in the comment section below.
Previously listed locations that are now under review by us.
I’m placing the following locations under review and may even consider removing them from this page if I find that they’ve lost their “sparkle”.
I want to do my best to not mislead any of you or waste your time going to these places which may not meet expectations.
FISHING BUDDIES POND
(Why is this place under review? Fishing with bait is still easy at Fishing Buddies and they have some nice size fish in the ponds. But there hasn’t been any new re-stockings and if you’re seeking challenge by casting lures or fly fishing, the fish here are so used to being fed natural baits that they appear to have lost their instinct to hunt and chase down prey.)
Why is this place popular?
LS FISHING POND
Stocked saltwater fishing pond
(Reasons for review: LS is still well stocked with fish. Catching them using bait are easy and you will likely catch a number of fish if you know what to do. But if you want to get the thrill of catching using lures or fly, that will be hard work and there’s a good chance you might not catch even one. It is not worthwhile in terms of spending the time and money in that sense, unless you’re okay with using bait.)
- Catch and Release only
- Lure, fly fishing, bait fishing allowed.
- Fish species: Large saltwater fish species such as grouper, giant grouper, giant trevally, barramundi, mangrove jack, golden snapper.
- Distance from KLIA: 42 km
- Distance from KL city center: 57 km
Why is this a good spot?
Variety of saltwater species. Not difficult to catch fish. Giant grouper fishing experience guaranteed.
See posts about LS Fishing Pond
PEACOCK BASS TASIK PRIMA
Urban lake fishing for peacock bass
(Tasik Prima or Prima Lake was primarily popular for its peacock bass fishing and its accessibility due to its urban location within the Klang Valley. In recent times the catch rate had dropped rather significantly and the larger issue, I feel, are the fish sizes are mostly very small. There are a lot of development going on in its surroundings, high fishing pressure and environment pollution are not helping.)
- Boat based lures, fly fishing, bottom/bait fishing.
- Fish species: Peacock bass (primarily), giant snakehead
- Distance from KLIA: 35 km
- Distance from KL city center: 29 km
Why is this a good spot?
Fairly convenient for city dwellers. One of the most accessible peacock bass fishing spot in KL.
Hello. This was very helpful. Thank you. Could you perhaps tell me where I should go during December – January time. Specifically for Trevally (Giant or other species), Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi mahi, etc
Hello Sarah, for some of the species you mentioned and during that period, 3 islands come to mind – Langkawi, Sembilan and Jarak islands. Don’t set your expectations too high however, although Jarak island can at times produce decent gt.
Personally for me, I spend more time fishing freshwater destinations in December and January.