About this tour

Da River & Hydropower Dam – One of Vietnam’s Wildest Fishing Destinations

The Da River Dam reservoir is one of the most impressive freshwater fishing destinations in Northern Vietnam. This massive reservoir stretches over 40 kilometers and is fed by the legendary Red River, which flows through large parts of Laos and Vietnam.

Surrounded by towering limestone mountains, dense jungle, and untouched vegetation, the reservoir offers a truly wild fishing environment. Unlike many lakes, the Da River reservoir has very few shallow areas. In some locations, the water depth reaches 60 meters just a few meters from the shoreline, while the deepest sections plunge to over 200 meters.

This deep-water ecosystem creates the perfect habitat for some truly giant freshwater predators.

Among the most sought-after species is the legendary Yellowcheek, known to grow up to 50 kg in these waters. Anglers may also encounter powerful Barramundi up to 25 kg and massive Giant Snakehead (Toman) lurking in the lake’s vast underwater structure.

For serious anglers looking for a rare trophy species and a wild fishing environment, the Da River reservoir is one of the most exciting places to fish in Southeast Asia.

🌤 Best Season for Fishing at Da River

Fishing at Da River is possible throughout the year, but certain seasons offer better opportunities depending on water conditions and fish activity.

Spring (March – May)

A great time for predator fishing as the water temperature begins to rise and baitfish become more active.

Summer (June – August)

One of the best seasons for Yellowcheek fishing, as baitfish gather in large schools and predators actively hunt near the surface.

Autumn (September – November)

Considered the prime fishing season, when water conditions are stable and predators feed aggressively before the cooler months.

Winter (December – February)

Fishing remains possible, although activity may be slower due to colder water temperatures.

🎣 How to Catch Yellowcheek

Yellowcheek are powerful apex predators that primarily feed on schooling baitfish called Skygazers, which are similar in size to small minnows.

Because the reservoir is extremely deep, Yellowcheek use a fascinating hunting strategy. They force large schools of baitfish into a tight ball before attacking. Once the baitfish are concentrated enough, the predators explode into the school in violent surface strikes.

These feeding explosions are incredibly dramatic and can be seen or heard from nearly one kilometer away.

If you notice a school of baitfish suddenly rising to the surface, it often means predators are pushing them upward.

The key is patience. Wait for the moment when a fin breaks the surface or a feeding explosion occurs. Cast your lure directly into or near the bait ball, using fast twitching movements to imitate a wounded fish.

Yellowcheek are instinctive hunters that target weak prey, and a struggling lure can easily trigger an aggressive strike.

Although they can be caught throughout the day, their peak hunting periods are usually:

🕕 06:00 – 11:00 (morning feeding window)
🕒 15:00 – 19:00 (late afternoon feeding window)