Prawning Punggol: How Prawning Works, Where to Go and Free Fishing Spots Nearby

Prawning in Punggol is one of those north-east pastimes that has outlasted the kampungs around it. You pay for a rod by the hour, sit beside a stocked pond, and grill whatever you catch. The main cluster is at Tebing Lane, beside Serangoon Reservoir at the eastern edge of Punggol town. This guide explains how prawning works, what to check before you go, where you can fish without paying, and how to get there from Hougang Central, where LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences) is planned.

How prawning works

Commercial ponds stock freshwater prawns and charge per rod for a block of time. Longer blocks usually cost less per hour. The pond supplies the rod and bait, and most have grills so you can cook your catch on the spot.

1. Pay at the counter for your rods and time. One rod between an adult and a small child is usually enough.
2. Bait the hook and lower it until the float sits upright. Staff will usually show beginners.
3. Watch the float. When it twitches or slides away, wait a moment for the prawn to take the bait, then lift in one smooth motion. A sharp jerk tends to lose it.
4. Handle with care. Prawns have long pincers and a sharp spike on the head. Grip from behind, or ask staff for help.
5. Clean, skewer and grill. Salt is the classic seasoning.

Where to go prawning in Punggol

Hai Bin Prawning, Tebing Lane

Hai Bin’s own website lists a Punggol outlet at 6 Tebing Lane, #01-04, Singapore 828835 (tel 6447 8693). It describes the place as a one-stop spot for prawn fishing, kids-friendly fishing, barbecue, food and drinks, with several ponds and a beer garden. Its site does not publish hours or prices, so check its social media or call before you go. It gives Riviera LRT as the nearest station, with bus services 3, 50, 83, 85 and 381 stopping nearby.

Other ponds

Smaller prawning ponds come and go around Punggol and Pasir Ris, and listings online are often out of date. Before travelling to any pond you find in a blog or map app, check that it has posted recently or call to confirm it is open.

Getting there from Hougang Central

From Hougang MRT (NE14), take the North East Line three stops to Punggol (NE17), then change to the Punggol LRT East Loop for Riviera. Allow roughly 30 minutes door to door (approximate), depending on LRT waits. After dark, a taxi or ride-hail back to Hougang is a short trip.

By bike, Tebing Lane sits beside the Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, which NParks says has a cluster of food and beverage outlets at Tebing Lane. From Hougang, ride north to Punggol Park and follow the Sungei Serangoon connector to Punggol East. Our park connector guide has the route.

Tips for first-timers

• Go in the evening. It is cooler, and many regulars swear the prawns bite better after dark. Weeknights are calmer than Friday and Saturday.
• Bring repellent. You are sitting beside still water in the open air.
• Dress for mess. Clothes will smell of bait and smoke, and closed shoes are safer on wet floors.
• Pack wet wipes and a small towel for handling bait and prawns.
• Set expectations with children. Some sessions bring a good catch, some bring two prawns. The grilling is half the fun either way.

Free fishing near Punggol

If you would rather cast a line without paying by the hour, several public spots allow fishing, but only in designated areas:

• Punggol Park (Hougang): NParks lists two designated fishing areas around the lake. It is the closest option to Hougang Central. See our Punggol Park guide.
• Punggol Promenade Nature Walk: NParks says this 2.4 km coastal walk has fishing platforms and shelters. It also warns of wild boar sightings, so keep your distance.
• Serangoon Reservoir: PUB lists it among the reservoirs with designated fishing areas, marked by signs and blue railings. PUB requires artificial bait only and bans fly fishing.

Not allowed: NParks bans fishing in Punggol Waterway Park, Sengkang Riverside Park and on Coney Island.

For reservoirs and waterways, NParks asks anglers to use only artificial bait and barbless or micro-barb carbon steel hooks, and says breaking fishing rules can lead to fines of up to S$3,000. Check NParks’ and PUB’s fishing pages before you go.

Make an evening of it

A good plan: walk or cycle the Riverside Walk at sunset, eat at one of the Tebing Lane outlets (our Punggol cafés guide covers one of them), then settle in for an hour of prawning once it is dark and cool. If you prefer a cooked barbecue with friends rather than a pond grill, see our guide to BBQ pit booking in the North-East.

What it means for LinkTown Residences

Prawning is a once-in-a-while outing, not a daily routine, but it shows how much of the north-east is within easy reach of Hougang Central: three NEL stops and a short LRT ride from LinkTown Residences, which is planned directly above Hougang MRT. See the location page for the wider connections and the launch date page for the latest timing.

Pond details are from Hai Bin’s Punggol page; fishing rules from NParks and PUB, checked in September 2026.

Register to get the LinkTown Residences launch date and preview details as soon as they’re released.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I go prawning in Punggol?

Hai Bin Prawning lists a Punggol outlet at 6 Tebing Lane, #01-04, near Riviera LRT, offering prawn fishing, children’s fishing, barbecue, food and drinks. Other small ponds open and close more often, so check recent listings.

Is prawning open 24 hours?

Some ponds advertise late or round-the-clock hours, but hours change. Call the pond before a late-night trip, especially on public holidays.

How do I get to Tebing Lane from Hougang MRT?

Take the North East Line three stops to Punggol (NE17), then the Punggol LRT East Loop to Riviera, which Hai Bin gives as its nearest station. Several bus services also stop nearby.

Where can I fish for free near Punggol?

Only at designated spots: the two designated areas at Punggol Park, the fishing platforms on Punggol Promenade Nature Walk, and marked areas of Serangoon Reservoir, which PUB lists for fishing. Fishing is not allowed in Punggol Waterway Park, Sengkang Riverside Park or on Coney Island.