Birding

The size of Pong Dam and its location in the extreme northwest of the northern plains make it a suitable habitat for migratory birds entering the plains of India from Central Asia. Over 220 bird species belonging to 54 families have been recorded.

The perfect getaway for birding, the Lodge at Pong is situated on the shores of Maharana Pratap Sagar also known as Pong Dam in district Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.

The present waterfowl diversity of the bird sanctuary is rich. It supports 54 species of waterfowl as compared to 39 reported before creation of the dam.

The sanctuary is an important staging area for an annual migratory waterfowl population of more than 20,000 birds comprising mainly of bar-headed geese, northern lapwing, ruddy shell duck, pintail, common teal, mallard and coot.

The redheaded grebe Podiceps Griseigena was recorded from this reservoir for the first time in India. This gives the area national as well as international significance for the conservation of several waterfowl.

The lake also harbors 27 fish species which depend on it for food, spawning ground and nursery.

The black headed gull, great black headed gull and herring gull species which are fairly uncommon in India away from the coast, visit the reservoir each winter, which acts as an important staging area for migrants such as bar headed geese and northern lapwing while five species, namely ruddy shell duck, pintail, common teal, mallard and coot, winter at the reservoir in thousands.
 

Best time of the Year:
Migratory Water Fowl (ducks, geese etc): Mid November to Mid Mach
Resident Birds (jungle fowl, francolin etc): All year round
Binoculars, Boats and Floating Hides can be hired from the lodge.

 Angling

As far as angling locales go, there are hardly any places in India which can compare with Pong (Maharana Pratap Sagar). The perfect getaway for angling in India and a Himalayan angling adventure, the Lodge at Pong is situated on the shores of Maharana Pratap Sagar also known as Pong Dam in district Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.

By size definitions, the Pong lake is HUGE (475 sq. km.)! It offers every kind of angling there is; from riverine to placid lake fishing, from deep water to jigging in the mud flats.

Home to over 27 different species of fish, from the mighty Himalayan Golden Mahseer (Barbus Tor Putitora) to the much overlooked Rohu (Labeo Rohita), the Lodge at Pong offers excitement to both the game fisher and the coarse angler.

The lake is home to some record size fish and it entices many an angler to try their wits against the monsters it holds.

The Lodge at Pong caters to all anglers, whether you are seeking a trophy Mahseer or a super sized Rohu, Catla or other Carp. Our trained ghillies will be more than happy to accompany you by boat or on foot, and guide you in the right direction as you try to get yourself a trophy Mahseer or other fish.

We follow a strict catch and release program, and encourage all anglers to do so like wise.

Best time of the year:
Golden Mahseer, Himalayan Red Fin and Black Mahseer: Mid February to end May (Closed season from 1st June to 15th August) and Mid September to Late November. (Due to climatic conditions, seasons can vary)

Rohu, Catla and other Carps: Mid February to Late November (Closed season from 1st June to 15th August).
Tackle and boats can be hired from the lodge.

Back to Top

 Water Sports

The Lodge at Pong is one of the few places in Northern India, where one can take part in water sports such as water skiing and wake boarding.

The perfect getaway from the summer heat, the Lodge at Pong is situated on the shores of Maharana Pratap Sagar also known as Pong Dam in district Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Pong Lake offers a virtually inexhaustible supply of fun on the water.

We also have a unique ‘Island’ where we offer hot and spicy barbeques while you party in the middle of the lake!

Best time of year:
For fun on the water, the best time of the year is from Mid March to Mid November. The hot summer months of May and June are the ideal time to cool of in the placid waters of Maharana Pratap Sagar, while staying at the Lodge at Pong.

We have an assortment of water sports gear that can be hired from the lodge.

Back to Top