Inland fisheries are predominantly small-scale in nature due to the absence of commercial and intensive fishing practices. These water bodies are considered common property resources and are governed under varied institutional and management regimes. Multiple organizations exert ownership and control, resulting in overlapping responsibilities and limited impact from fisheries development initiatives, primarily due to the shared and multi-use character of these resources. Despite these challenges, there is significant potential for improved governance to enhance resource management and support poverty alleviation. The sector involves numerous stakeholders with different mechanisms for accessing and utilizing fisheries resources, making governance frameworks crucial. Regulations and policies governing small-scale fisheries in states like Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and West Bengal have been analyzed, along with recent reforms. A key recommendation is to restructure the lease tenure system to better incentivize fishers, encouraging them to adopt scientific and sustainable fisheries management practices.