Sport Fishing in Rwanda
Sport Fishing in Rwanda is not a much sought-after activity and this is majorly because of the under development of Rwanda as a fishing destination. Rwanda has a number of spots where they can do commercial fishing and these are Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi and the Lake Mugesera. Besides these major fishing spots, there are smaller rivers and lakes that offer fishing on a local level for consumption and sometimes host the international guests. The aquaculture sector contributes 45% of all the fish in Rwanda. Most of the fish consumed in Rwanda is imported from the neighboring Uganda and Tanzania.
The main fishing methods used in Rwanda is by hook, use of gill nets, spearing, lampara method, use of the scoop net or just out the net for a lucky throw. The different fish species in the waters of Rwanda determine which fishing method will be used and a number of these species include the Tanganyika sardine, Barbus, amphilius, Nile Tilapia, Cyprinus, Cynodontids, Mormyrus, Varicorthinus to mention but a few.
The fishing in Rwanda is done on the canoes and the local people will be often seen using the wooden canoes on the waters of Rwanda. The fishing industry of Rwanda is run by the Ministry of Animal resources and Agriculture through cooperatives and local government. The fishing methods may still be a bit backward and still need improvement.
The tourism sector of Rwanda is however at a higher point and is a real success so amalgamating fishing as an activity is a great idea. It may be a win win as the tourism industry can also gain from the fishing industry. Here are a few spots that focus on sport fishing as a tourism activity.
- Akagera national park
For guests interested in taking part in sport fishing can look at visiting the Akagera national park. The Akagera national park is the wildlife park of Rwanda and offers majorly game drives and a boat cruise on the Lake Ihema however you may opt to engage in a fishing experience. The Akagera national park was named after the Kagera river and this is the river that feeds the Lake Shakani and the Lake Ihema.
These two lakes Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani are known to be the best spots for sport fishing in Rwanda and this is backed by the variety of fish on these lakes. The Lake Ihema is famous for its hippo’s concentration and also being a home to the crocodiles and some water birds.
You may be worried and wondering how you will be safe fishing with wildlife however the fishing spots are carefully picked out on animal free areas of the lake. Once you take on the sport fishing and you catch some fish, you can have one of these prepared for you later as a meal.
You will however need to have a fishing license to take part of this activity and this can be booked through the Akagera national park authorities and you will also have to carry your own fishing equipment or hire some ahead of arrival to the Lake. The majorly accepted and used fishing method here is by hook and the Tilapia is usually the most caught.
- Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is another hot tourism point and this is located on the land border between the DR Congo and Rwanda which is west of Rwanda. Lake Kivu is Africa’s 6th largest lake and this is a free lake with no hippos or crocodiles to threaten guests. The Lake Kivu has however been polluted with methane and carbon dioxide, an after effect of volcanic activity in the region.
This methane is being extracted and giving the lake back life and the common fish are the sambaza, sardines and the ndugu which are all small fish species and can be caught by hand or use of nets. Fishing boats and fishermen are a much more common sight on this Lake Kivu and if you are interested you can join them for the ideal experience.
