Sport Fishing in Rwanda is not well developed because Rwanda is traditionally not a fishing country. But more of the commercial fishing can be done in Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, and Lake Mugesera. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Akagera National Park is the best spot to go for sport fishing in Rwanda. Akagera National park got its name from the Akagera River, which feeds its water from Lake Ihema and Lake Shikani. The two lakes are the most recognized sport fishing spots in Rwanda. Besides fish, the two lakes are home to other creatures such as crocodiles and hippos. We carefully choose the fishing spots in these two lakes to ensure their safety from aquatic predators. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

There is a catch and release fishing policy, but it is mostly not always followed. You can also get ready to have one catch prepared for a meal. Sport fishing in the Akagera National Park requires tourists to buy a fishing permit. One also needs to have their own fishing gear. After your sport fishing trip, you can also participate in game drives, bird watching (over 500 species), and unlimited boat cruises.

Rwanda’s main fishing methods include hooking, gill netting, spearing/shooting, the lampara method, scoop net and cast net methods. These fishing methods are used depending on the type of fish you want to catch. Rwanda’s fish species in Rwanda include Barbus, Amphilius, Tanganyika Sardine, Astatorechromis, Clarias, Haplochromis, Cyprinus, Gnathonemus, Limnothrissa, Marcusenius, Mormyrus, Nile Tilapia, Synodontis, and Varicorhinus. The fishing in Rwanda is mostly done by local communities using wooden-made canoes.

Sport fishing in Rwanda If a traveler has their own gear; they can only pay $20 for a fishing permit for the whole day from the shores of Lake Shikani. The hippos reside in the water during the day along the banks and on the gentle slopes, where you can see crocodiles too. This means there is nothing to be worried about when you are fishing.

 Hooking

This is where a hook is used as a method to catch fish, the lure is fixed on top of a hook in order to attract the fish and the bait is in form of a worm or they are allowed to use an insect and as the fish comes to swallow the bait, its trapped.

 The Gill nesting

In the net, which is suspended in the water and held down by the floats and weights, the fish are likewise caught here by their gills.

 The Lampara method 

The Lampara is when a group of three canoes is connected by two wooden bars, a lantern, or a fisherman. In order to catch the Isambaza in Lake Kivu, it was invented in Rwanda. Additionally, it is employed at night, when the light from the lamps draws the fish to it; the net is then raised over them and the fish are collected.

 The Spearing and shooting method

Here, fish from the water are caught using arrows, spears, and bows.

 The Scoop net method

Every time a fish is seen passing over, the fishermen hold a net here and raise it out of the water. In order to draw fish to the net at night, it is employed along with lighting.

 Cast net method

Here, a circular net is likewise applied, spread out, and utilized to catch the fish below.

The best time for sport fishing in Rwanda is the long dry seasons, which normally occur from December to February and June to September. These months offer the most favorable conditions because of lower water levels, less wind, and clear skies, which make it easier to navigate the lakes and spot fish.