Sport fishing tours in Uganda

Sport fishing tours in Uganda is one of the activities that travelers engage in during their visit to Uganda. sport fishing is an exciting hobby that involves fishing for pleasure than commercial purposes. Uganda is a country located in the East African region that has many water bodies that are ideal for sport fishing. Uganda hosts Lake Victoria the largest water body and the source of river Nile that is shared by Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda offers anglers the best opportunity to hook the biggest fish species like Nile perch, tilapia, cat fish, tiger fish and many other species.  

what is the most caught fish during sport fishing tours in Uganda

 A Nile perch is the most common fish in Uganda’s waterbodies; this type of fish was introduced in Lake Victoria by the British in 1950 to boost sport and commercial fishing in Uganda.

A mature Nile perch can lay up to 14 million eggs that is why they still exist in Lake Victoria besides fishing them for exports to European countries for food. The heaviest Nile perch can weigh about 200 kgs but the heaviest recorded in the history of sport fishing was 114 kgs that was hooked at Victoria Nile in Murchison falls national park. what an amazing spot!

Best place to do sport fishing tours in Uganda

There are several places to visit for sport fishing tours in Uganda and these include;

Victoria Nile in Murchison falls National Park

Victoria Nile is situated in Murchison falls national park connecting to Albert Nile up to river Nile the longest flowing river in the world. Murchison falls has two sections where to do sport fishing, at the falls and Karuma falls where you use fishing boats to start the sport. Among the fish that is common during sport fishing is the Nile perch and tilapia.

Lake Victoria

This is located in central Uganda and one of the largest waterbodies in Africa that flows freely. Sport fishing takes place at Victoria islands in Entebbe and jinja where anglers enjoy the activity on the fresh waters. You will never miss to hook up a big tilapia or Nile perch that weighs about 30 kgs to 50 kgs.

Lake mburo

This lake is located in lake mburo national park. The lake holds an interesting story how it was formed and its formation provides an adventure for sport fishing. The lake has available boats for lake cruise and sport fishing at mazinga bay.

Queen Elizabeth national park

Sport fishing in queen Elizabeth national park takes place on the Kazinga channel at lake Edward and lake George. Among the common fish species in queen are the lung fish, mud fish and tilapia.

Lake Albert

Lake albert is located in the northwestern Uganda bordering the democratic republic of congo. This lake is another destination for sport fishing and with a variety of fish species.

When is the best season for sport fishing tours in Uganda

Sport fishing is best done when there are moderate water levels for a better sport fishing activity. The best months are during June, July, August, September, December, January and February. While the rainy season in not safe for sport fishing since water levels rises up in waterbodies during the rains in march, April, may, October and November.

How much is a sport fishing permit in Uganda

Fishing permits are booked by your local tour operator through Uganda wildlife authority, and permits lasts for 24 hours. in Murchison falls national park, 1 day permit costs $50 and 4-days permit cost $150. Lake mburo and queen Elizabeth national park sport fishing permit for 1-day costs $15 and 4-days permit costs $25. Sport fishing permit for East African citizens costs UGX 20,000 and UGX 60,000 for 1 day and 4 days respectively for all national parks.

For anglers interested to do sport fishing in Murchison falls national park can pay for Annual fishing permit that costs $300 and this applies to only East African citizens and foreign residents. Note that permits exclude park entrance fees of $40.

Rules and regulations for sport fishing tours in Uganda

• You must conduct this activity with a sport fishing guide.
• Anglers are supposed to have booked a fishing permit from the authority.
• Always use the right tools for fishing like fishing rod, fish bag, baits, first aid kit and putting on a life jacket.
• Ensure to handle the fish gently since it is a catch and release method to promote sustainable fishing practices.
• Booking fishing boats in time
• The required anglers to use a boat should be 2 to 4 in number.

Sport fishing methods commonly used in Uganda

Sport fishing must be conducted in line with sustainable fishing practices like fishing of mature fish and to ensure catch and release back to the water. There are two common methods used and these include bait casting and spinning.

Other activities to do during or prior to sport fishing in Uganda

 There are a variety of activities to engage in during a visit to these destinations for sport fishing and these include;

Game drives

Murchison falls, lake mburo and queen Elizabeth national park are best for wildlife viewing. Spotting lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards, bush bucks, antelopes and many others.

Boat cruise

Enjoy boat cruises at Victoria Nile, Kazinga channel in queen Elizabeth national park and lake mburo while viewing hippos, crocodiles and water birds.