The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is one of the most iconic fish in Southeast Asia — ancient in lineage, coveted in the aquarium trade, and strictly protected under international conservation law. If you want to cast to one in Thailand, you will not find it in a river. You will find it in a handful of carefully managed pay-lakes where captive-bred, microchipped fish provide a legal and extraordinary angling experience.
The Short Answer
Wild Asian arowana cannot be legally targeted anywhere in Thailand. The species is listed on CITES Appendix I, meaning international trade in wild specimens is banned and domestic wild capture is prohibited under Thai wildlife law. The only legal avenue for recreational anglers is a licensed pay-lake that holds captive-bred arowana registered under CITES exemptions. Several of Thailand's premier fishing venues offer exactly that.
Why the Pay-Lake Route Is the Only Route
Asian arowana were once found in lowland rivers and swamp forests across mainland Southeast Asia. Habitat destruction and collection for the ornamental fish trade drove populations to near collapse in the wild across much of their range. Thailand's wild population is considered critically depleted, and enforcement agencies treat illegal capture seriously.
Captive breeding has stabilised the ornamental trade and created a legal pathway for pay-lake stocking. Each farmed fish carries an implanted microchip and paperwork tracing it to a registered breeding facility. Reputable pay-lakes in Thailand maintain these records and are periodically inspected. Fishing for these fish is legal, but the conservation context should never be far from mind.
Targeting arowana in any wild water in Thailand — rivers, canals, reservoirs, or natural lakes — is illegal and carries significant penalties. If you encounter arowana in a natural water body, do not fish for them.
Venues That Stock Asian Arowana
Gillham's Fishing Resort
Situated in the hills of Kanchanaburi province, Gillham's Fishing Resort is arguably the most famous exotic fishing destination in Thailand. The lake holds a diverse stocking list that has historically included Asian arowana alongside arapaima, giant Mekong catfish, alligator gar, and numerous other species. Confirm current arowana availability directly with the venue before travelling, as stocking levels change.
The resort is set up for international visitors with accommodation, professional guides, and a strong catch-and-release ethic. Arowana are targeted with surface lures and live or dead natural baits from the bank or from boats.
IT Lake Monsters
IT Lake Monsters in Ratchaburi province runs one of the most diverse exotic stocking programmes in the country. The venue has stocked arowana as part of its monster-fish rotation. Again, check directly with the venue for current availability — stocking lists at large exotic parks evolve seasonally.
Palm Tree Lagoon
Palm Tree Lagoon operates across multiple lakes in Chachoengsao province and has a reputation for maintaining a wide range of exotic and specimen fish. Arowana sightings are reported by anglers fishing the venue, though dedicated targeting may require guidance from lake staff on which lake and which area to focus on.
"An arowana following a surface lure across open water — scales like hammered copper, body as long as your arm — is a sight that stays with you long after the catch."
What to Expect at a Session
Arowana are apex predators and surface feeders. In a lake setting they tend to patrol open water and the shallower margins, often visible from the bank before you cast. They are not easy fish — they can be line-shy and will refuse a poorly presented lure repeatedly before committing.
Surface poppers and glide baits worked slowly across calm water at dawn and dusk are the preferred approach at most venues. Live frogs and large prawns fished under a float or freelined near structure also produce. Wear polarised glasses and hunt visually when conditions allow.
Arowana have soft mouths relative to their size. Use a wide-gape hook, avoid high-speed hooksets, and keep the fish in the water as much as possible during unhooking. Most venues provide specific handling guidance — follow it.
Conservation Responsibility
Fishing for captive-bred arowana at a licensed venue is a legal activity, but it sits within a broader conservation story. The wild species remains threatened across its range, and every angler who visits a reputable, well-managed venue rather than seeking black-market wild fishing sends a signal that sustainable practice can sustain a viable tourism product.
Support venues that maintain proper documentation, practise genuine catch-and-release, and invest in habitat or conservation work alongside their tourism operation.
For full species information, conservation status, and more on tackle and technique, visit our Asian arowana species page. For the legal framework around protected species fishing in Thailand, see our protected and endangered species guide.
