Asia
Fishing in
Laos 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Laos19.86°, 102.50°
🎣 Live catches in laos
1 verified catches
Not enough data (1 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- No
- Where to apply?
- No formal fishing license for tourists.
- Cost
- Free. Local guides organize access.
- Validity
- Not applicable
- Available online?
- No
Laos has no formal fishing license. The Mekong and its tributaries are home to some of the largest freshwater fish in the world — Mekong giant catfish and giant freshwater stingray! Little tourist development for anglers.
Book fishing tours in Laos
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- No formal closed seasons.
- Catch limits
- No strict limits. Mekong giant catfish: Protected!
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite unfortunately widespread (but prohibited).
- Catch & Release
- Recommended for large specimens.
The Mekong near the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don) in the south is one of the last places where the huge Irrawaddy dolphin lives. Fish with respect!
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Mekong near Si Phan Don (Riesenwels + Welsarten, Islandarchipel)
- —Nam Ou (Mahseer + Raubfische, nordische Mountain river-Landschaft)
- —Nam Ngum Reservoir (Tilapia + Schlangenkopf, größtes Binnengewässer)
- —Bolaven-Plateau (Brown Trout/exotische Arten, Waterfall-Region)
- —Luang Prabang Riverabschnitte (Giant Snakehead + Hampala Barb, historisch)
Target fish
Freshwater
Mekong and tributaries. All freshwater. Mountains in the north, plains in the south.
Saltwater
No access to the sea (landlocked).
Starting from200 USD / day
Best season: November-April (dry season). Mekong fish: March-May (low water).
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Nothing available locally. Bring your own equipment!
- Fishing guides
- Local guides: 20-60 USD/day. Organized tour: 80-200 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Slow Boat on the Mekong! Buses.
- Safety
- Generally safe. UXO (unexploded ordnance) in rural areas! Malaria. Currents in the Mekong.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa on arrival (30 USD). Fishing equipment permitted.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
NO license required — completely free!
Guide prices
20-200 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget: 15-30 USD (extremely cheap!). Comfort: 50-150 USD.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Laos
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Laos →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Laos with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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Mobile Data
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