Pay-lake directory

Thailand fishing parks and pay-lakes

Search Thai pay-lakes and fishing parks by region, species, budget, and audience. Every venue is tagged with confidence labels - where we haven't field-verified, we say so.

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Bangkok specimen circuit

Bungsamran, IT Lake Monsters, Boon Mar — 30-45 minutes from central Bangkok.

Krabi flagship

Gillhams Fishing Resort — Thailand's top trophy specimen venue.

Lure & fly venues

Boon Mar Ponds — barramundi, snakehead, peacock bass on light gear.

Family-friendly only

Wide platforms, restaurants, short sessions tolerated.

Bangkok

Bungsamran Lake

Bangkok's most famous pay-lake. Volume of bites, urban convenience, the cheapest serious big-fish fishing in Asia.

From ฿1,200–2,000

VerifiedBeginner-friendlyTackle rentalEnglish support

Bangkok

IT Lake Monsters

Specimen-style operation focused on Amazon exotics. Higher price than Bungsamran, fewer swims, bigger fish.

From ฿2,500–4,000

VerifiedTrophy venueTackle rentalEnglish supportCatch-and-release

Krabi

Gillham's Fishing Resort

World-famous specimen lake on the Andaman coast. Multiple world records, all-inclusive packages, English-first operation.

From ฿7,000–15,000

VerifiedTrophy venueEnglish supportGuide availableCatch-and-release

Cha-Am · Phetchaburi

Jurassic Mountain Resort

Limestone-cliff scenery, scenic specimen pond between Bangkok and Hua Hin.

From ฿5,000–12,000

VerifiedTrophy venueGuide available

Bangkok

Pilot 111

Bangkok-area lure and fly venue. Topwater snakehead, barra on shads. The lure-angler's pay-lake choice.

From ฿1,500–3,000

Lure onlyFly-friendly

Chachoengsao

Boon Mar Ponds

The country's premier dedicated lure and fly venue. Strict catch-and-release. Big barra and snakeheads.

From ฿2,000–3,500

VerifiedLure onlyFly-friendlyCatch-and-release

Phuket

Chalong Fishing Park

Family-friendly Phuket pond. Easy half-day from Patong or Kata.

From ฿800–1,500

Family-friendlyBeginner-friendlyTackle rental

Phuket

Patong Fishing Park

Budget tourist option in Patong. Small ponds, mixed species, introduction to Thai pay-lake style.

From ฿500–1,000 — verify before booking

Family-friendlyBeginner-friendlyPricing unconfirmed

Hua Hin

Greenfield Valley Resort

Premium multi-day specimen packages near Hua Hin. All-inclusive with accommodation.

From ฿4,000–10,000

VerifiedTrophy venueGuide available

Koh Samui

Top Cats Koh Samui

Family-friendly island fishing — combine with a Samui beach holiday.

From ฿1,000–2,000 — verify before booking

Family-friendlyBeginner-friendlyPricing unconfirmed

Bangkok

Bang Na Lakes

Cluster of lure and fly venues in southeast Bangkok.

Lure onlyFly-friendly

Bangkok

Palm Tree Lagoon

Photogenic specialist pond. Big pacu on flies, peacock bass, and predators.

From ฿1,500–3,000

VerifiedFly-friendly

Phang Nga

Exotic Fishing Thailand

Premier exotic-species venue on the Andaman side. Resort lodge with accommodation.

From ฿4,000–10,000

VerifiedTrophy venueGuide available

Bangkok

Caho Lake

Specialist Siamese-carp venue in the Bangkok area.

From ฿1,500–3,000 — verify before booking

Pricing unconfirmed

Krabi

DreamLake Fishing Resort

Krabi-area exotic-species venue, alternative to Gillham's for those on a tighter budget.

From ฿2,500–5,000 — verify before booking

Pricing unconfirmed

Bangkok / Central Plain

Anglers Choice: Bangkok Specimen Pay-Lake

Anglers Choice is a Bangkok-area specimen pay-lake reported by visiting anglers for Mekong catfish, Siamese carp, and exotic species. Verification details pending.

From verify with venue — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Chachoengsao

Bang Pakong River: Lure Fishing in Bangkok's Eastern Estuary

The Bang Pakong River east of Bangkok offers brackish estuarine lure fishing for barramundi, mangrove jack, threadfin, and giant trevally — wild saltwater-influenced species within easy day-trip distance of the capital.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Tak

Bhumibol Reservoir: Wild Fishing in the Heart of Northern Thailand

One of Thailand's largest reservoirs, Bhumibol Dam holds wild snakehead, mahseer, and native catfish in its vast northern waters. A serious angler's destination requiring commitment, boats, and local knowledge.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Bangkok / Central Plain

Bo Sang Pond: Bangkok-Area Pay-Lake

Bo Sang Pond is a Bangkok-area commercial pay-lake — not the Chiang Mai handicraft village. Current species stocking and pricing details pending verification.

From verify with venue — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Bangkok / Central Plain

Bobby's Lake: Bangkok Community Specimen Venue

Bobby's Lake is a Bangkok-area mid-tier specimen pay-lake with a reported community atmosphere. Species mix and current operating details pending verification.

From verify with venue — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Nakhon Sawan

Bueng Boraphet: Fishing Thailand's Largest Natural Lake

Bueng Boraphet in Nakhon Sawan is Thailand's largest natural freshwater lake — a Ramsar wetland with chao phraya catfish, wallago, and rare wild stingray.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Cha-Am / Phetchaburi

Cha-Am Resort Fishing: The Gulf Coast Cluster Between Bangkok and Hua Hin

Cha-Am sits midway between Bangkok and Hua Hin and hosts a cluster of resort fisheries — here's the full picture of what the area offers, from day-session lakes to overnight packages.

From 1,500–4,000 THB / session — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Bangkok

Chao Phraya River Fishing: Giant Stingray, Rare Catfish, and Barramundi Below Bangkok

The lower Chao Phraya holds some of the most extraordinary wild fish remaining in Thailand — giant freshwater stingray, Chao Phraya catfish, and barramundi in the tidal reaches. Specialist guided trips only; these fish are rare and every encounter matters.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Surat Thani

Cheow Lan Reservoir: Fishing the Flooded Karst of Khao Sok

Cheow Lan Reservoir in Khao Sok National Park offers mahseer, snakehead, and native catfish amid submerged limestone towers. Thailand's most dramatic wild fishing destination.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Bangkok / Central Plain

Fish Mania Bangkok: Lure and Light-Tackle Pay-Lake

Fish Mania is a greater Bangkok pay-lake with a lure-fishing reputation for barramundi and snakehead. Current pricing and access details pending verification.

From verify with venue — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Kanchanaburi

Khao Laem Reservoir: Kanchanaburi's Wild Snakehead Country

Khao Laem Reservoir in Kanchanaburi offers remote boat fishing for giant snakehead, mahseer, and featherback amid drowned forest and raft homestays.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Khao Yai

Khao Yai Area Fishing: What's Possible

Khao Yai National Park itself is closed to fishing — and that protection matters. But the reservoirs and streams adjacent to the park hold mahseer, snakehead, and catfish for anglers who understand the boundaries. An honest guide to a genuinely complex area.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Chiang Rai

Kok River Fishing: Mahseer, Snakehead, and Native Catfish in Chiang Rai

The Kok River winds through the mountains of Chiang Rai, carrying mahseer in its upper reaches and snakehead through its lower stretches. A genuine northern Thailand wild-river experience, best explored by long-tail boat with a knowledgeable local guide.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Kalasin

Lam Pao Reservoir: Fishing the Northeast's Largest Wild Water

Lam Pao Reservoir in Kalasin, Isaan's largest reservoir, holds mahseer in feeder streams, wild catfish, and snakehead within a strong local fishing culture. Northeast Thailand at its most authentic.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Nakhon Ratchasima

Lam Takhong Reservoir: Wild Fishing on the Edge of Khao Yai

Lam Takhong Reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima offers native catfish, snakehead, and barb fishing within striking distance of Khao Yai. A practical day-trip or overnight from Bangkok or Korat.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Samut Songkhram

Mae Klong River: Home Water of the Giant Freshwater Stingray

The Mae Klong River near Samut Songkhram is one of very few places on earth where giant freshwater stingray can be targeted with a realistic chance of success. Specialist guided trips only — this is serious fishing in extraordinary company.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Chiang Mai

Mae Kuang Reservoir: Wild Fishing on Chiang Mai's Forgotten Lake

Mae Kuang Udomthara Reservoir on the Chiang Mai–Lamphun border is a large, underdeveloped wild fishery for snakehead, featherback, and native catfish.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Chiang Mai

Mae Ngat Reservoir: Chiang Mai's Closest Wild Fishery

Mae Ngat Somboonchon Reservoir in Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng district offers floating bungalow stays and wild snakehead, featherback, and catfish fishing.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Northeast

Mekong River Fishing in Northeast Thailand: The Giant Catfish and the Conservation Imperative

The Mekong traces Thailand's entire northeastern border from Nong Khai to Ubon Ratchathani — home water of the critically endangered giant Mekong catfish, wallago, and river mahseer. Fishing here carries both privilege and responsibility.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Krabi / Southern Thailand

Krabi's Exotic-Species Fisheries: Beyond Gillham's and Into Southern Thailand's Broader Scene

Krabi and the surrounding southern Thai provinces host a cluster of exotic-species pay-lakes beyond the famous names — here's what the region offers and how to find it.

From 1,500–5,000 THB / session — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Isaan Northeast

Mun River: Fishing Isaan's Great Wild River

The Mun River crosses the whole of northeast Thailand before joining the Mekong — a wild native fishery with wallago, snakehead, soldier barb, and catfish through Isaan's heartland.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Northern Thailand (Nan Province)

Nan River Fishing: Wild Northern Thailand on a Light Spinning Rod

The Nan River drains the mountains of northern Thailand and holds wild mahseer, snakehead, and native barb. Here's how to fish it responsibly and what to realistically expect.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Greater Bangkok

Bangkok's Quieter Pay-Lakes: Lesser-Known Venues Worth Finding

Beyond Bungsamran and Bang Na, Bangkok's outer districts hide a network of smaller pay-lakes where crowds are thin and the fishing is often surprisingly good.

From 300–800 THB / session — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Lopburi

Pasak Jolasid Reservoir: Bangkok's Wild Fishing Escape

Pasak Jolasid Reservoir in Lopburi province is central Thailand's most accessible wild-water fishery — a genuine snakehead and catfish destination within easy day-trip distance of Bangkok.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Lopburi

Pasak River Fishing: Snakehead, Catfish, and Quiet Water in Lopburi and Saraburi

The Pasak River meanders through the Lopburi and Saraburi valleys north of Bangkok — an accessible, under-fished wild river holding native snakehead, catfish, and soldier barb. A genuine alternative for anglers who want wild water without the logistics of the far north.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Phayao

Kwan Phayao: Fishing Northern Thailand's Cultural Lake

Kwan Phayao in Phayao province is a serene natural lake in northern Thailand offering light fishing for snakehead, catfish, and tilapia alongside temple walks and mountain views.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Mae Hong Son

Salween River: Jungle Fishing on Thailand's Wild Frontier

The Salween River along Thailand's Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son and Tak is wild, remote jungle fishing for mahseer, hill-stream barbs, and native catfish in pristine water.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Central and Greater Bangkok

Shadow Lake-Style Fisheries: Thailand's Small Specialist Venues for Big Specimens

Thailand's quieter specialist pay-lakes — smaller waters managed for specimen fish rather than throughput — offer something the famous names cannot: space, focus, and serious fish.

From 1,500–4,000 THB / session — verify before booking

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Uttaradit

Sirikit Reservoir: Northern Thailand's Quiet Wild Fishery

Sirikit Reservoir on the Nan River in Uttaradit province offers genuine wild fishing for snakehead, native catfish, and featherback in one of northern Thailand's least-pressured large reservoirs.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Ubon Ratchathani

Sirindhorn Reservoir: Isaan's Quiet Wild Fishery on the Mekong Tributary

Sirindhorn Reservoir in Ubon Ratchathani offers boat-based wild fishing for native catfish, snakehead, and soldier barb on a peaceful Mekong tributary. Isaan's hidden gem.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Songkhla

Songkhla Lake: Fishing Thailand's Vast Brackish Inland Sea

Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand is the country's largest natural lake by area — a brackish inland sea with barramundi, milkfish, mullet, and a living fishing culture.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Kanchanaburi

Srinagarind Reservoir: Karst Lakes and Wild Mahseer in Kanchanaburi

Srinagarind Reservoir in Kanchanaburi blends dramatic limestone karst scenery with wild mahseer, giant snakehead, and featherback fishing by boat.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Nakhon Ratchasima

Tab Lan Area Reservoirs: Off-Grid Fishing Near Khao Yai

The Tab Lan area reservoirs near Pak Chong offer undeveloped wild fishing for native catfish, snakehead, and barb in a conservation-minded landscape bordering Khao Yai National Park.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

Kanchanaburi

Vajiralongkorn Reservoir: Remote Predator Fishing on the Khwae Noi

Vajiralongkorn Reservoir in Kanchanaburi delivers wild snakehead and predator fishing in remote forested terrain along the Khwae Noi river system.

Needs updatePricing unconfirmed

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do Thai pay-lakes actually work?

You pay a day fee (typically 1,000-3,500 THB), get a numbered peg or platform, and fish for the time agreed. Most venues provide rod rests, bite alarms, and bait. Most are catch-and-release for big fish.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

No. Almost every pay-lake worth visiting offers full tackle rental. Bringing your own is welcome but unnecessary for a first visit. Heavy carp rods, big-pit reels, and pre-tied rigs are provided.

Why are some venues marked 'pricing unconfirmed'?

Thai pay-lake prices change without notice. Where we haven't field-verified pricing within 18 months, we flag the venue clearly and recommend you confirm with the venue directly before booking.

What's the difference between a pay-lake and a wild fishery?

Pay-lakes are stocked, managed venues with predictable fish populations and infrastructure (food, rods, accommodation often). Wild fisheries are open water — rivers, reservoirs, the sea — where catches are uncertain and conditions vary.

Is catch-and-release enforced?

At premium venues (Gillhams, IT Lake Monsters, Boon Mar) — yes, strictly. At budget-tier pay-lakes — varies. Big specimen fish are always released. Smaller pan-fry species may be eaten or given to staff.

Pricing and venue details change. Where we have not field-verified recently we mark the venue clearly. Confirm current prices, rules, and availability with the venue before booking. To submit an update, see /submit-venue-update.