Fish require movement for feeding, spawning, growth, and evading predators, making swimming ability a critical factor in their survival. Swimming speed in fish are generally classified into sustained, prolonged, and burst speed. This study assessed the swimming capabilities of native benthic freshwater fish and provided data to inform the design and construction of fishways. Three fish species were examined: Pseudobagrus fulvidraco (family Bagridae), Tridentiger brevispinis and Rhinogobius brunneus (family Gobiidae). Measurements of total length, standard length, body weight, and body height were collected for each species, and swimming ability was evaluated using a swimming tunnel apparatus. Swimming ability was determined by measuring burst speed to calculate the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and the relative swimming speed (TL s-1). The mean critical swimming speeds were 0.73±0.15 m s-1 for P. fulvidraco, 0.75±0.1 m s-1 for T. brevispinis, and 1.34±0.12 m s-1 for R. brunneus. Additionally, a significant correlation was found between swimming ability and total length, indicating that swimming capabilities may vary based on body type and behavior. These findings contribute essential insights into the swimming abilities of native freshwater fish, offering valuable data for improving fishway design. Further research is suggested to evaluate the swimming capabilities of a broader range of freshwater fish species to enhance fishway efficiency.