Fishing in Kenya

Kenya is an East African country. Lying on the Indian Ocean coast, it typifies the Africa of myth and legend. Inspired by the books such as Ernest Hemingway's "Snows of Kilimanjaro", thousands of tourists came to Kenya to admire its big game animals. But if old "Papa Hem" was alive today, he might have come there again for its big-game fishing, that could've inspired a sequel to "The Old Man and the Sea". Fishing has always been important in Kenya along the shoreline and in its large lakes. Traditionally subsistence-focused, in recent decades it developed a robust, diverse and exciting marine sport fishing industry, especially along its 300-mile-long coastline. What sets Kenya apart from other sea fishing destinations is the unique combination of underwater terrain, with undersea mountain chains some 50 miles offshore, ocean currents and coastal winds. And along its western border, Kenya can boast of Lake Victoria fisheries, as well as several other lakes, rivers, and even cold mountain streams near its famous snow-covered peaks. Kenya is approximately 224 000 square miles, placing it between Texas and California in size, but the population of 47.6 million exceeds either of these states. With a predominantly Christian population, Kenya is regarded as one of the most safe and stable African countries. Learn more about fishing in Kenya from our blog.

In terms of fishing, Kenya has a lot to offer and is able to cater to diverse tastes, as well as accommodating a wide variety of pockets and purses. The largest component is boat based sport “big game” fishing along much of the Indian Ocean shore. Charter boats carry out day or overnight trips and the main targets are billfish and many reef species. There is also some amazing nearshore fishing in the far north on the Lamu Archipelago for the zealous, and well resourced, sport angler. Kenya has access to Lake Victoria where you can target several native freshwater fishes such as Nile perch, and the backcountry fishing in mountain rivers is available in National Paris on special permit.

Offshore fishing in Kenyan waters offers almost all the well-known tropical marine sport species including black, blue and striped marlin, sailfish, broadbill, giant trevally, amberjack, dorado, yellow-fin tuna and wahoo. This diversity of fish adds excitement to deep-sea fishing, as the angler often has little idea what has grabbed the bait or lure until well after the initial hook-up. There is also bottom or reef fishing available in many areas targeting the numerous species of grouper, trevallys and other game fish. In Kenya's rivers and lakes, perhaps the most inspiring catch is the Nile perch, the largest freshwater fish in Africa that can attain 400 lbs (181,4kg). Back when the country was a British colony, some expats have released brown and rainbow trout into the cold streams up in the country's highlands. Trout fishing is centred around the Aberdare mountains and Mount Kenya and is mostly inside National Parks, well away from good roads and infrastructure.

There is almost no local tradition of sport angling in Kenya, most fishing is carried out commercially using nets or traps. Sport fishing by visitors is, however, now a flourishing and encouraged activity in many areas. Along the marine shore are several ports and harbours where well-equipped, small craft are available for day and overnight fishing trips. Most of the prime fishing is offshore and the most popular fishing technique is trolling with heavy tackle , targeting various billfish species. Some anglers choose to invest time trolling in the hope of catching a massive marlin, while others troll out to, and between, reefs. While hooking into a huge billfish is extremely exciting there can be long periods of waiting. Many trolling anglers keep their eyes peeled for signs of surface fish feeding activity - birds diving or fish splashing may indicate game fish creating a “feeding frenzy”. Casting a lure into the frenzy can result in explosive action and the fight of a lifetime on light or medium tackle. Inland, trout fishing is fly only, and as the local fish is very small, ultra light tackle is best, using either wet or dry flies. Heavy spinning tackle, using lures, dead or live bait is the preferred method for Nile perch. Speculative fishing in lakes is unlikely to succeed but, with local guides, knowledge and a suitable boat, excellent sport angling is possible and an incredible diversity of smallish, species may be caught.