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Hong Kong is a great place for fishing, with 17 scenically located reservoirs stocked with a variety of species. They are located throughout the territory, but the more popular reservoirs that are easily accessible by public transport are Pok Fu Lam, Tai Tam, High Island and Shing Mun. Fishing season is from September to March.

The common freshwater fish found in the reservoirs are Silver Carp, Big Head, Tilapia, Mud Carp, Edible Goldfish and Wild Carp. These storage reservoirs, like natural waters, contain a variety of organisms such as algae, protozoa and fish that help maintain an ecological balance and purify the environment naturally.

Obtaining a licence to fish in Hong Kong is easy. Apply to the Water Supplies Department in person, and the licence is usually issued the same day.

All the fish growing in the reservoirs are freshwater fish with an average life-span of three to seven years. The commonly observed types include Silver Carp, Big Head, Tilapia, Mud Carp, Edible Goldfish, Wild Carp, etc.

As Silver Carp and Big Head are river fish which require a high flow of water in spring to induce spawning and cannot reproduce in the still water of impounding reservoirs, fish fry are regularly stocked into the reservoirs to maintain a favourable ecological balance. Silver Carp which fed on phytoplanktons are particularly effective in controlling algal proliferation. Different from Silver Carp and Big Head, Tilapia can be found in various reservoirs by natural growth and reproduction.

Courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board