Freshwater

Rohu (rui)

Rohu (carpa india)

Labeo rohita

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–10 lb.

Depth

3–20 ft.

Best time

Early morning and evening.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A big, bright silver carp with reddish-tinged scales (each scale with a red spot in many fish), a rounded snout, thick fringed lips and a small mouth underneath, and one small pair of barbels. Fins gray to reddish.
Typical size: 2–10 lb.
Maximum size: Up to about 6½ ft (200 cm) and close to 100 lb (45 kg) published; a rod-caught fish over 20 lb is a big one.
Diet: Plants, algae and plankton grazed off the bottom and the water.
Behavior: A schooling bottom-grazer of rivers, lakes and reservoirs; one of India's main farmed fish and stocked in nearly every pond and reservoir.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan. Native to the rivers of northern and central India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar; stocked in reservoirs, lakes and ponds across South Asia and beyond.
Habitat: Native to the rivers of northern and central India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar; stocked in reservoirs, lakes and ponds across South Asia and beyond.
Depth: 3–20 ft.
Fishing depth: On or near the bottom near weed beds and drop-offs.
Best season: Year-round; best in the warm months.
Best time: Early morning and evening.
Best tides: No tide.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, settled weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Dough baits (atta flour with spices or fish meal), bread, boiled rice and groundbait to draw the school.
Best artificial lures: Not caught on lures.
Tackle setup: Medium carp rod 9–12 ft, or a float rod for ponds.
Hook size: Size 6–1 hooks or hair rigs.
Line: 10–20 lb mono.
Leader: Not needed.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rigs Groundbait Net

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Native to the rivers of northern and central India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar; stocked in reservoirs, lakes and ponds across South Asia and beyond.
Rig up: Medium carp rod 9–12 ft, or a float rod for ponds. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Dough baits (atta flour with spices or fish meal), bread, boiled rice and groundbait to draw the school. Lures: Not caught on lures.
Fish it: Throw in groundbait, then fish a dough ball on the bottom or under a float in the baited spot. Rohu bite gently — watch the float or rod tip and strike on the lift.
Time it: Early morning and evening. No tide.

Fishing techniques: Throw in groundbait, then fish a dough ball on the bottom or under a float in the baited spot. Rohu bite gently — watch the float or rod tip and strike on the lift.
BigJoe's tip: Pre-bait a spot for a day or two before you fish it; rohu schools come back to a baited area.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: One of India's favorite fish — fried, in curries (rui maacher jhol) and in mustard sauce. Watch for small bones.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: No special hazards; watch slippery banks.
Regulations: Pond and reservoir fishing usually needs a day ticket or permit from the owner or the state fisheries department. In India, river fishing rules are set by each state, and many mahseer rivers are run by forest departments, angling associations or camps that sell permits and require catch-and-release; Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan have their own permit systems.
Conservation: Widely farmed and stocked; follow local limits.

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Sources & photo credits