Catch & Release fishing safaris in Uganda – Fishing on the Nile River and Lake Victoria
Catch & release fishing safaris in Uganda – Catch and release is a spirit of sportsmanship in fishing and the rules of sport fishing clearly states that only fish caught, Weighed, and released count during your fishing safari, however, the rules in Uganda Vary basing on where you are fishing from.
Uganda has 3 fishing zones currently operating catch and release and these areas include protected areas of Lake Victoria, Jinja lagoons, and the River Nile in Murchison falls, National Park
What happens when I catch fish in Uganda?
Different fishing areas will have different rules and our fishing guides know and are very professional and conservation-minded when it comes to fishing in Uganda below is what happens to the fish caught.
On Lake Victoria
Anglers are advised to participate in catch and release however they are allowed to take home any fish below 15 kgs for BBQ at their hotel and this is because Lake Victoria is a commercial fishing Lake so the rules are relaxed
Jinja Lagoons
Jinja is a traditional city lying at the source of the Nile surrounded by Lake Victoria and the Nile River, fishing in the Lagoons can be excellent though there is commercial fishing is allowed in the area, travelers are also allowed to take any fish below 15 kgs below for BBQ at their hotel
Nile River in Murchison Falls national park
The section of the Nile in Murchison falls is protected under the laws of the conserving for generation and practices here are strict conservation-based and Anglers cannot keep any catch even if it dies during the fight however it’s not so common that fish die during the fight as our guides know how to revive the Nile Perch well and you don’t have to worry about fish dying
Rules to follow when landing fish in Uganda
After anglers hooking their big fish you will fight the fish professionally usually our fishing guides will provide you information on what to do when you get a run and upon fighting your fish and its getting closure to the Boat you need to do the following
Trim the boat engines up
Nile perch, catfish, or the Vundu catfish are very aggressive fish and usually, when they get close to the boat they can tangle around the propellers of the engines, and the propellers can cut your fishing line so ensure the boat engines are up
Wear your hand glove
Wear your hand gloves on as the Nile perch, catfish have sharp teeth that can cause injury to your hands, and make sure the gloves are cotton as the slippery one can make the fish slip off your hands because of the slum the fish produce which is slippery especially the Nile perch
Hold the Nile perch by the lower jaw
Hold the fish with your stronger arm on the lower jaw and Place your rod in a safe place and pull the fish into the boat with two hands and place it flat in the boat
Take pictures
Get area on the boat with a background view of the Lake and take quick pictures after place the fish back into the water and to revive
Revive the fish
Give the fish anything from 5-1o minutes and when it starts swimming the tail again pull it back into the boat and measure the length and the girth and our table will help you know the Size of the Catch the chart is 90 % accurate
Release the fish
After measuring the fish you will place the fish back into the water and wait 5-10 minutes and when the fish starts to swim you let it go and splash water over the fish and you can enjoy it with an ice-cold beer
Best time for catch and release fishing safaris in Uganda
Fishing in Uganda is best during the dry season and the dry seasons are usually from July to September and from December to March but due to the changes of weather you can always contact our experts for updated fishing conditions before traveling but usually the above months you won’t go wrong