The Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora), an iconic, migratory and ecologically significant freshwater species native to the Jhelum River, is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation and anthropogenic pressures near the Karot Hydropower Project. A comprehensive field-based ichthyo faunal assessment was conducted, along the Jhelum River. The research focused on species dominance and ecological patterns across ten strategically selected sites, including five tributary naalas, two upstream, and three downstream locations.Standardized fish sampling was performed monthly using a combination of castnets, gill nets, drag nets, and electrofishing to ensure complete species representation. All collected specimens were preserved, counted, and identifiedto species level using standard taxonomic keys and relevant literature. A total of39 fish species belonging to 4 orders, 11 families, and 25 genera were documented from the selected sites of the study area. Cyprinidae was the mostdominant family represented by 12 species, followed by Nema cheilidae (7species) and Sisoridae (3 species). Species diversity was higher in upstream zones with loaches and small cyprinids, whereas downstream sites weredominated by snow trout and mahseer, showing clear spatial and seasonal distribution patterns. Notably, Tor putitora, a key indicator species for riverine health, exhibited varying dominance across the study sites, with significant declines in areas influenced by anthropogenic pressures. This study provides baseline information for fisheries management and conservation planning in the river system, highlighting the importance of protecting dominant and ecologically valuable species. Moreover, the findings suggest that future research should focus on habitat restoration and monitoring of population trends under increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate variability.