The study of Indigenous knowledge rooted in local communities has potential to provide research guidelines aimed at benefiting the user group. Concerted attempts should be made to document, compile and validate the Indigenous knowledge in fisheries before it is lost with the advent of modern knowledge and urbanization. The stake net fishery is an important traditional fishery practiced in the estuarine waters of Ratnagiri district. The present study was conducted to analyze the use of Indigenous knowledge in management of stake net fishery. A total of 100 fishermen essentially involved in stake net fishery in Ratnagiri district constituted the sample size. Snow-ball method was employed for selecting the respondents across the randomly selected villages. Accordingly, a combination of personal interview and non-participant observation method was used for data collection. The study has documented rich, varied and potential IKs associated with the management of stake net (wan) fishery. The Indigenous knowledge on dimensions of stake net, fishery season, time of preference for stake net operation, effect of lunar cycle and wind direction and method of fish exploitation has been documented in the present study.

Indigenous knowledge, stake net fishery (wan), Ratnagiri district.