Kenyir Lake, Artificial reservoir in Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia

Kenyir Lake is an artificial reservoir in Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia, formed in 1985 when the Kenyir Dam was built on the Kenyir River, a tributary of the Terengganu River. It is the largest man-made lake in mainland Southeast Asia, covering 260,000 hectares and containing 340 small islands. The view shows pale blue water stretching to a hazy horizon, with forested slopes on the left and wooded islands scattered across the surface.

The Kenyir Dam was completed in 1985 to generate electricity and prevent flooding in the Terengganu region. Construction transformed forested valleys and riverbanks into a lake, creating a new landscape of water and islands.

The name comes from the Kenyir River that once flowed through the valley before the dam was built. Local anglers still use traditional techniques to catch fish from shallow coves and around tree stumps that remain standing in the water.

Access to the lake is through boat rental points at several piers scattered along the shore. During months with lower water levels, more shoreline areas become visible, making it easier to explore coves and try fishing.

Below the water surface stand trees from the time before flooding, their trunks and branches attracting algae. These submerged structures create habitats where fish gather and breed, so some anglers search them out deliberately.