Reservoirs assume specific importance in highly populous developing countries, such as India. Fisheries activities in reservoirs often play a significant role in the livelihood of rural communities. In this context, a study was undertaken in Salem district of Tamil Nadu to understand the livelihood of the inland capture fishers in the largest reservoir in South India, the Stanley reservoir. Data from five villages comprising 150 respondents were collected for the study. Majority (58%) of the fishers belonged to the age group of above 45 years. More than fifty per cent were illiterates. Majority (93.33%) of the fishers had small and nuclear family. More than ninety per cent were found to have their own house. All of them watched television regularly. Extension agency contact was mostly limited to local officers. All had membership in co-operative society. Women of the fishers’ family were found to accompany them during fishing but were not involved in making decisions regarding fishing. More than 70 per cent were solely depended on fishing for their livelihood. Majority (68.66%) were in the annual income range of Rs. 50,001 to Rs.70,000. Saving habit among the fishers was less. Education was positively related to type of house, mass media and communication exposure and movable assets possession whereas it was negatively related to fishing experience. Social participation was found to be positively related to occupation

Keyword: Reservoir; Livelihood; Fi