The loss of nesting sites and polluted water systems associated with prey are a possible threat to Ichthyophaga humilis.
Ichthyophaga humilis is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Its status is uncertain in Cambodia and Singapore.
The Lesser Fish-eagle is considered as a "Lower Risk" sub-category "near threatened" species by the IUCN.