The fish market system in Dhanbad district represents a significant yet often underexplored component of the regional economy, operating alongside the district's more famous coal-based industrial sector. Based on an analysis of fisheries production data from 2015 to 2024, together with field observations and secondary literature, this article examines how fish markets contribute to employment generation, nutritional security, income diversification, and social inclusion for local communities. The fisheries sector in Jharkhand has shown consistent growth over the past decade, with fish production reaching 2.80 lakh metric tonnes in 2023, directly supporting an estimated 3.5 lakh people across the state. In Dhanbad, the presence of major water bodies such as the Damodar and Barakar rivers along with the Maithon, Panchet, and Topchanchi reservoirs has created favorable conditions for both capture fisheries and aquaculture. However, the sector faces persistent challenges including inadequate market infrastructure, environmental pollution affecting fish stocks, and the predominantly informal nature of fish trading. This article argues that with proper policy support focused on infrastructure modernization, cold chain development, and strengthening of fisher cooperatives, fish markets in Dhanbad can evolve into organized economic hubs that substantially contribute to regional development while improving the livelihoods of marginalized fishing communities.