PADANG BESAR: The Timah Tasoh Freshwater Fish Sanctuary near here offers a rare escapade for anglers to fish to their heart's content in the panoramic midst of Tasik Timah Tasoh (Timah Tasoh Lake).
The lake, with an area of 20 square kilometres (km), is located at the Timah Tasoh Dam in Beseri near here and can be a mandatory destination for visitors to Perlis because it promises various leisure activities, including angling and boating, for tourists to glide through the freshwater sanctuary.
Perlis Fishermen's Association deputy chairman, Abd Azhar Abd Aziz, who is also the manager of the freshwater fish sanctuary, said tourists who enjoy fishing can pick the location as a preferred destination for vacationing with friends or family in the state.
"This freshwater fish sanctuary is open every day from 8am to 7.30pm and activities offered to visitors include kayaking, lake patrol boat rides, fishing boats for rental and buying freshwater fish, besides freshwater fish pickles.
"As for the outdoor enthusiasts, visitors can go to our social media page to book any camping site that is close to this lake and catch the captivating sunset," he told Bernama in a recent interview.
Abd Azhar drew attention to the range of local fish such as lampam, talapia, belida, sepat and baung in addition to the 'invasive species' of peacock bass (native to South America) and toman (snakehead) in the lake which is another fascination for anglers with the itch to try their luck at the tourist location.
He said visitors can also cruise in a patrol boat around the lake to see for themselves the beauty of Bukit Chabang, which is a hiking landmark of Perlis as well as capture the picturesque hills surrounding the resort.
"As for fees, the lake patrol boat ride costs RM50 for eight people and RM60 for 10 people, while renting a fishing boat is RM50 for three people, kayak rental costs RM10 for single, RM15 for double while the camping site charge is RM50 for overnight," he said.
"At this freshwater fish sanctuary, there is also a nearby pond for tourists to relax with their families and feed the fish in it," said Abd Azhar, who added that facilities like food stalls, toilets and prayer rooms are there for the comfort of visitors.
Meanwhile, visitor Mohamad Shakhir Saidy Ridzah, 23, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, said it was his first visit and he found the sanctuary "different" compared to other places as it has its own uniqueness.
"This is my first trip here with my friends to experience the beauty of this place with its panoramic view and a serenity not found elsewhere, it is clean with good upkeep and there are various interesting activities available," he said.
Another visitor, 25-year-old Nur Tasnim Shahruddin, of Beseri near here, said she often visits the freshwater fish sanctuary with friends and family to take in the stunning sunset which makes her feel like as though she is abroad. — Bernama