Trout in Kashmir, told by locals: how the fish arrived from Scotland in 1900, why Kokernag is called Asia's largest trout farm, brown vs rainbow trout, and where to eat it fresh.
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Tell us your dates. We plan Pahalgam and Kokernag days with a stop at a trout farm and a local cab.
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Quick Answer: Trout in Kashmir arrived from Britain in 1900 and now swims in the cold rivers and hundreds of farms of the valley. Kokernag in Anantnag hosts what is called Asia's largest trout farm. Rainbow trout is mostly farmed, brown trout lives wild in the Lidder. Eat it fried fresh near Pahalgam, Kokernag or Daksum.
Last updated: 9 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Trout in Kashmir is one of those things visitors do not expect. You come for houseboats and snow, and then a driver on the Pahalgam road pulls over at a farm where the fish are lifted out of cold spring water and fried in front of you. For us it is ordinary Sunday food. For a guest from Delhi or Mumbai, it is often the best meal of the trip.
How did trout come to Kashmir?
Trout is not native to the valley. In 1899 the first shipment of 10,000 eggs from Britain died on the way to Srinagar. A second shipment from Scotland reached in 1900, and about 1,000 young fish were released in the stream at Panzagam in Dachigam, near Harwan. The push came from Frank J. Mitchell, a carpet factory owner and keen angler, with the backing of Maharaja Pratap Singh.
Mitchell set up the first trout hatchery at Harwan in 1901. Two years later, in 1903, the state created a department for game preservation that later became the Department of Fisheries. A century on, according to a 2021 Mongabay India report, 583 private and state-assisted trout units in Jammu and Kashmir produced about 500 tonnes of trout in 2020.
Why is Kokernag famous for trout in Kashmir?
Kokernag, in Anantnag district, has a spring that pours out cold, clean water all year, which is exactly what trout need. The state farm here was set up in 1995 with European support and is widely described as the largest trout farm in Asia. It supplies eggs and young fish to private farmers across the valley and even to other Himalayan states. In June 2018 Anantnag was declared the trout district of India.
If you visit, you walk along long concrete raceways where thousands of fish turn in the current. Our Kokernag springs guide covers the garden and the drive. A line we repeat to guests: in Kashmir, good trout always comes from water you could drink.
Related reading: Kashmiri Red Chilli: The Real Story Behind the Colour
Brown trout vs rainbow trout: what is the difference?
Both species came from outside, but they live very different lives here.
| Brown trout | Rainbow trout | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you find it | Wild in the Lidder and Brengi rivers and some streams | Mostly in farm ponds with running water |
| Why it matters | Angling and restocking of rivers | Most of the trout you eat in restaurants |
| Look | Golden brown with dark and red spots | Silver with a pink band along the side |
| When to see it | Rivers in the warmer months | Farms all year |
Trout need water between 0 and 20 degrees Celsius, so they only thrive in the cold streams of the higher valleys. Brown trout numbers in the wild have fallen, which is why the farms also breed it to restock rivers.
Where can you eat fresh trout in Kashmir?
The best trout is the simplest: cleaned, rubbed with salt, chilli and a little turmeric, and fried whole in mustard oil. Most farms near Pahalgam, Kokernag and Daksum will cook a fish you pick. In Pahalgam, small restaurants on the Aru road and along the Lidder serve it in season. Our Lidder river walk passes a few of them.
In Srinagar, trout appears on some hotel and restaurant menus, but it is never as good as at the farm. For the city's own fish traditions, read our guide to Kashmiri fish dishes.
Related reading: Hanjis of Dal Lake: The Families Who Keep the Lake Alive
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How to plan a trout farm visit
- Pick your base. Pahalgam and Kokernag are the easiest; Daksum works as a longer day from Srinagar.
- Go before 2 pm. Farm kitchens are simple and most cook for lunch, not late evening.
- Choose your fish. You pay by weight; ask the price per kilo before it is netted.
- Ask for it fried whole. Mustard oil, salt, red chilli, nothing heavy.
- Respect the breeding season. Eggs are collected from November to February, when farm staff are busy, so call ahead in those months.
Via Kashmir builds trout stops into Pahalgam and south Kashmir days for guests who ask. Stay in our verified hotels in Pahalgam, or keep houseboats on Dal and Nigeen as your Srinagar base and do Kokernag as a day trip with local cabs. Our Kashmir packages can add it to any route. Tell us your dates.
Frequently asked questions
When was trout introduced in Kashmir?
Trout reached Kashmir in 1900, when a shipment of young fish from Scotland survived the journey after a failed attempt in 1899. The first hatchery opened at Harwan, near Srinagar, in 1901.
Which is the biggest trout farm in Kashmir?
The state trout farm at Kokernag in Anantnag district is the biggest, and is often called the largest trout farm in Asia. It was set up in 1995 and supplies eggs and young fish to farms across the valley.
Can you eat trout in Pahalgam?
Yes. Several farms and small restaurants near Pahalgam, especially along the Lidder and the Aru road, cook fresh trout. Ask for it fried whole and check the price per kilo first.
Can tourists go trout fishing in Kashmir?
Angling for brown trout in Kashmir's rivers is allowed with a permit from the Department of Fisheries and only in season. Rules and fees change, so check with the department or ask us before you plan a fishing day.
Is trout available in winter in Kashmir?
Farmed rainbow trout is available all year, including winter. The cold months are the breeding season, when farms are busy collecting eggs, so call ahead before visiting, but the fish is still sold and cooked.
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