Butter catfish and Wallago attu are the most common type of fish found in the lake. 11 species of fish, 5 species of prawn and 2 crab species are commercially important. The commercially important prawn are giant tiger prawn (Metapenaeus monoceros), Indian prawn (Penaeus indicus), Metapenaeus monoceros (Speckled shrimp), Metapenaeus affinis (Pink prawn) and Metapenaeus dobson (Kadal shrimp). Mangrove crab is the most important commercial crab.[25] Fish landings in the lake, which fluctuated in the past, have recorded a remarkable recovery after the opening of the new mouth and dredging of silt ?choked old mouth Magarmukh in 2000?2001, resulted in a better intermixing of the tidal influx from the sea and freshwater inflow from rivers. Against an all time lowest landing of fish and prawn of 1,269 t (1,399 short tons) in 1995?96, the all-time high is reported to be 11,878 t (13,093 short tons) during 2001?2002 resulting in an estimated per capita income for the fisher folk of Rs 19,575 (about US$392) during the year.[8] Recently, the Government of Odisha have issued a notification banning the lease of Chilika Lake for Culture Fishery.[16] Sea shells are hunt for valuable stones.
