There are freshwater fish that put up a good fight, and then there are river monsters that seem plucked straight from myth and folklore. The Goonch catfish is firmly in the second camp. Native to the remote rivers of South Asia, this prehistoric-looking predator is one of the most mysterious and underrated giants on the global angling circuit. If you’re a traveling angler looking to hook into something truly wild, few experiences rival the adrenaline of battling a Goonch in its native waters. 

The Goonch Catfish (Bagarius yarrelli) lives up to its ominous nickname. With an armor-plated appearance, powerful build, and a wide, flat head, it’s both intimidating and awe-inspiring. This species belongs to the Bagariidae family and has evolved over millions of years to thrive in the fast-flowing, high-altitude rivers of the Himalayan foothills. They’re not just big, they’re massive. Some specimens are believed to reach over 2.5 meters in length and weigh upwards of 200 pounds. While these sizes are rarely encountered, even your average Goonch is a brute compared to most freshwater fish. Tales of these fish dragging anglers downstream or bending rods into submission are common, and they’re absolutely true.

Where to Find the Goonch

The Goonch’s range includes the rivers of northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Bangladesh. The most famous destination for targeting these giants is the Kali River, which forms the natural border between India and Nepal. Other productive waters include the Ramganga River in Corbett National Park, the Sarda River, and some stretches of the Ganges and its tributaries. These rivers are remote, wild, and relatively untouched, which makes the experience as much about the journey as the catch. Picture yourself casting from jungle riverbanks, surrounded by misty hills, dense forests, and the occasional call of a distant langur or eagle. It’s adventure fishing in its purest form.

When to Go: Best Time for Goonch

Targeting Goonch is a seasonal endeavor. The best time to fish for them is typically from October to April, when water levels drop, clarity improves, and the fish are more concentrated in deeper pools and runs. The monsoon season from June to September swells the rivers and makes fishing nearly impossible. But once the rains subside, the rivers stabilize, and that’s when serious anglers gear up for a shot at these underwater leviathans.

Why It Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List

If you’re the kind of angler who travels for stories, not just species, the Goonch is your fish. It’s one of the largest predatory freshwater fish on the planet, rivaling the likes of the Amazon’s Arapaima or Africa’s Nile Perch. They inhabit exotic, off-the-beaten-track destinations, far from tourist trails, the kind of places that test your mettle and reward your perseverance. The Goonch is steeped in mystery and local lore. In some Himalayan villages, it’s whispered that these fish have attacked animals, and even people. While largely unproven, the stories only add to the mystique. They’re among the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in the world, using the current to their advantage and often requiring extended, grueling battles to land.

World Records & Notable Catches

The IGFA All-Tackle World Record for goonch catfish currently stands at 165 pounds, caught in the Kali River by Jakub Vágner, a name well known in the world of extreme angling. That catch, however, may only scratch the surface of the goonch’s true size potential. Unverified reports and local accounts speak of fish topping 200 pounds, especially in deeper, less-pressured river systems.