By Editor Not a lot of people out there know this, but after China, India is actually the 2nd largest fish producer in the entire world. Though we are just ⅕ of what China produces every single year, still, the fish industry of India is a BIG one. We quite literally export fish to other countries in the West, too. So, while we’re at it, why don’t we talk about the states that contribute the most to the overall fish production of India, year after year? Well, that’s precisely why we’ve prepared this list of the Top 5 Highest Fish Producing States In India 2025 for you. Here we go then.
1. Andhra Pradesh
At the top of the list, and fairly so, goes the state of Andhra Pradesh, the absolute ruler of India’s fisheries sector. According to the recent data, this state was the single largest contributor to the fish production of the country by more than 50 lakh tonnes of fish, which is nearly one-fifth of the total output of the country. However, the story is not only about the figures. Andhra Pradesh is the centre of both ocean and river fish production because it has a 974 km-long sea coast, large river deltas from the Krishna and Godavari, and well-structured aquaculture facilities. Besides, it is the leading state in shrimp production, as the majority of farmed shrimp exports from India are recorded here.
2. West Bengal
West Bengal is still in the runner-up position, holding on quite strongly, and has made an amazing contribution of almost 20 lakh tonnes to the national total. However, what really separates Bengal from the crowd is not only its output but also its range. Thousands of ponds, wetlands, and backwater channels in the state, which is situated in the extensive and fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, provide support for carps, including the famous hilsa, the fish. And if that is not enough, the state is also blessed with a 721 km long coast along the Bay of Bengal, which means a unique combination of inland and marine fishing that hardly any other state is able to match.
3. Odisha
Ranking third on the list, Odisha is usually the underrated state that does super well in this segment, and it has gone ahead to make its mark in 2025 by delivering about 11 lakh tonnes of fish. The 500 km-long coastline and the existence of Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, in the state-provide an excellent assortment of species, including hilsa, prawns, and even crabs of export quality. The backing of the government to develop the fisheries in the interior areas of the state has contributed to Odisha securing its position on the fish production graphs.
4. Karnataka
Karnataka is in the fourth position, producing almost 1 million (10 lakh) tonnes of fish every year, and is still going strong. The fact that marine fisheries are the main source of the state’s fisheries is what makes Karnataka unique; almost 60% of its fishery production comes from the Arabian Sea, it has a 320km long Karavali Coast, and well-developed ports like Mangaluru and Karwar. While its offshore area, which depends on tanks and reservoirs, is developing gradually, mainly with new technologies such as cage farming and trawler upgrades, the inland sector is expanding rapidly.
5. Kerala
Kerala is the fifth-best place for fish production, a state that in 2023 reached its peak with approximately 900,000 tonnes and continues with its trend in 2025. The state with 590 km of Arabian Sea coast, densely packed backwaters, and local fishing villages (more than 220, if we are exact) is not only one of the most culturally deep regions but also the one with the most fish coming from the culture. Kerala provides diverse fish that make the state famous for its unique and varied fish dishes.
Conclusion
And bare in mind one thing, it is not just one type of fish or one species of fish we’re talking about here, these states are the contributors to the overall fish production of India, but each of these states are known for different varieties or species of fish, and they surely have different markets for those, not just in India, but in the other nations too via the exports.