Ukai is one of the most productive reservoirs in the country among larger reservoir. Regular stocking of Indian Major Carps (IMC) practices in the reservoir to build up carp fishery, since the year 1972. The success of stock enhancement in this reservoir is phenomenal. Catch data of 2013-14 revealed that, major carps contributed 51% of the total production comprised of species like Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo calbasu. The major carps are not only making bulk share of the total catches, they represented higher year classes also. The dominant species in the reservoir were Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Labeo calbasu and Cirrhinus mrigala among Indian Major Carps (IMC).

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The fish catch structure in the main river Tapti, 112 km downstream, has changed in favour of the Indian major carps, by virtue of the stock augmentation from the outflowing waters of Ukai reservoir.

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Total number of fisherman-villages supported by the Ukai reservoir is around 118 with 14956 active fishers. In the modern era, the tribal fishers’ community uses traditional fishing crafts and gears with certain limitations.

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The successful establishment of the carp populations facilitates the high fish production. The reservoir perhaps holds even a higher potential than what it produces today. The present annual fish landings of nearly 4000 tonnes are only half the production potential of 8000 tonnes, as estimated by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, based on the primary production rates.

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The organically rich bottom is favorable for the rapid growth of macro fauna, although the sharp fluctuations in water level are an inhibiting factor.

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The prevailing climatic conditions have a key role in determining the thermal and nutrient regime of the reservoir. The local precipitation is high, e.g., during 1983–84 it was 156 cm. Ukai witnesses climatic extremes with the air temperature going above 45°C during summer and the minimum of 6.0°C during winter months.

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The water is rich in nutrients and dissolved salts, both from the mineral enrichments and due to the flooded fertile soil. The catchment area comprises forest land, which received precipitation of 79 cm. Apart from the cumulative addition from the inflowing waters, the percent nutrient status of the reservoir bottom is equally high, as 99% of the submerged area is either agricultural (58%) or forest (41%) land.