AQUATIC LIF OF BELUM TEMENGGOR
Home to the World’s largest Snakehead fishes. The lake in the middle of the rainforest is a cradle of a rich population of freshwater fishes, a great destination for anglers.
Habitat
The artificial lake of Temenggor is the second largest lake in Peninsula Malaysia. Home to 23 main species of freshwater fish, and 5 species of turtles, and several aquatic and amphibian species too. It’s made of 6,050 million cubic meters of water covering an area of 117,500 hectares. This man-made lake was created after the completion of the Temenggor dam in 1974. The now forty years old body of water holds hydro-electric importance for the local population in the northern Perak State. Moreover, it had an historic military strategic role in cutting supplies and communication to communist guerrilla groups that used the rainforest as a shelter.
Angler Paradise
Angler Paradise
Given the secluded and peaceful nature that imbues the whole area, a very rich and dense population of fishes and aquatic species has since developed in its lake and surrounding streams. There are no endangered species of fishes in Belum. Some type of fishing, as it happens in others areas too, is even encouraged in order to balance certain fish population. For anglers, many species of fish, like Toman (Giant Snakehead) and Sebarau (Hampala Barb – jungle perch) are the main target species. Other species like Lampam Sungai (Barboides), Kelah (Malaysian Mahseer), Kawan (Friendly Barb), Kalui (Giant Gouramy), Baung (Catfish) and many more are common in Belum-Temenggor area.
Fishing in Belum Temenggor is possible all year around. The best time being during the monsoon season from October till January. Check the proposed activities and book directly from our website fishing experiences in Belum.
The “catch and release” policy is practiced in the rainforest reserve. Four species of fish, known locally as sebarau, kelah, tengalan and temoleh cannot be carry out of Royal Belum. For other species, each individual angler can take a maximum of three fishes out of this protected area. All fishing boats leaving Royal Belum may be subject of inspection by the Perak State park ranger patrols. They may issue fines and other penalties to whomever is in breach of the Park rules.
The Toman FISHZILLA
The Toman “Fishzilla”
The key attraction to fish in Temenggor lake is surely the Toman (also known as Giant Snakehead or Giant mudfish). The lake is home to the biggest and fiercest Channa micropeltes in the world. With few unpressed destinations remaining whereby, the snakehead thrive and grow to maximum twenty kilograms. National Geographic has referred to snakeheads such as those of Belum, as “Fishzilla”. Snakehead fishing in Temenggor is accessible to anglers of all skill levels. It offers greater chances of “monster snakehead” all year round because there are many fishes leading to more opportunities for a memorable catch. Snakeheads between two and three kilos are considered as small. Four to six kilos are very common. Seven to eight kilos are considered as big fish. Anything over that, up to twenty kilos, are a frightening possibility.
Snakehead Fishing with Experts
Snakehead fishing with experts
The visitors need permits to enter the protected areas of Belum by boat. They may also need fishing permits for recreational fishing activities. If you book fishing experiences in Belum straight from this website, all necessary permits are in the packages. You can rent the necessary fishing equipment as well. Furthermore, boatmen and support staff will not only get you and your group to the best spots for fishing, to fit your preferences and skill levels, but they will also provide assistance in case you need to tune your skills to get a better toman catch. Some of the most proven snakehead fishing techniques are summarized here, along with the recommended fishing tackle specifications:
- Random Marginal Snakehead Casting (lure only) – Consists of casting lures from a boat moving at a “walking pace” speed following shorelines. Most used surface lures qre frogs, buzz baits and poppers. The popper being the most effective, but only in low weed areas. It’s “random” casting because it is simply targeting the likely looking fish. Holding areas at random along the shoreline, as the boat moves, to cover a wider area. This technique is used all year round. But it’s best during the mating season, when snakeheads wander looking for a mate and begin nest building. It will allow to catch mostly juvenile specimens.
- Open Water Rising Snakehead Casting (lure or live bait) – Casting lures from a standing boat nearby spots, where individual snakeheads rise from deep water to breathe some air. This is the most difficult and challenging form of fishing, as it requires not only patience, but great aiming and casting skills. The lure has to get right in front of the fish mouth at a certain depth. Usually, there is only one casting chance. In case of success, though, the reward is great. Any snakehead rising in deep open water is sure to be of the biggest kind.
- Fry Ball Casting (lure or live bait) – Consists of tracking a fry ball from a boat while keeping at casting range and following the ball’s direction. Each time the ball of bright red or orange fry surfaces for air, the anglers cast their lure at the fry ball. The male adult will be closest to the fry to guide them. The larger female will be patrolling the outside of the fry ball for invaders. It is worth casting ahead of the fry ball in the direction they are swimming, to catch the larger female first.
Snakehead lure fishing tackle
- Rods: 6ft – 7ft rods for lure fishing is the best range. However, 7ft will offer more accurate casting and greater distance. Longer than this, for boat fishing, is a disadvantage. It is also adding a second difficulty to play fish diving under and around the boat. Stiffer rod grade medium with heavier action of ½ oz – 1 ½ oz or 18-26lb class is necessary to cast live baits and setting the hooks. Fixed spool spinning reels are best for live bait fishing, the same size & models as for lure fishing is fine.
- Reels: Baitcast reels are a much better to lure fishes than spinning reels. But, it requires a good amount of practice. The quality of spinning reels should, of course, be good. But it’s not as important as the quality of bait casting reels, which, unless is of high value, is more of a hindrance than a help.
- Lines: Braid of at least 50lb is mandatory, up to 65lb. Fluorocarbon will not suffice as a leader for live bait fishing. A heavy wire trace of 60lb is essential to prevent bite off. Most snakehead caught on live baits will take the hook down into their mouths.
- Hooks: Original hooks that come with lures are useless for snakehead; they need to replace it with stinger trebles in sizes 2 or 4 to hold the power of a big snakehead, and they will change it every few fish. The spilt rings to attach the hooks needs to change with heavy duty ones in sizes 4 or 5.
- Lures: A good selection of lures from each category: surface frogs, buzz baits & poppers. Diving plugs in varying depths, patterns and colours. Two of every category, pattern and colour is a good idea in case there is a particularly effective lure that is then lost; 4 – 6 inch lures are generally a good size range for snakehead.
- Bait: A roughly 6” walking catfish hooked once through the upper back of the bait behind the dorsal fin is most effective for snakehead fishing. The walking catfish is a natural predator of snakehead fry and therefore triggers an immediate strike from the adult snakehead, most of the time attacking from behind hence the hooking position on the live bait.
Discover More
Learn about the rich history, biodiversity, and what conservation & research efforts to preserve this 130 million year old rainforest.
