Let’s face it, fishing may not be your number one reason for going to Egypt. This iconic destination shouts culture, relaxation, and hedonism all at the same time. Its resorts and ancient history top bucket lists for people from all walks of life. But whether you’ve come for the pyramids or the beaches, make time for fishing in Egypt.
People have been fishing Egypt’s waterways for thousands of years. Civilization here grew around the Nile, which runs up the eastern side of the country before emptying into the Mediterranean. Further east, the warm waters of the Red Sea nurture a thriving range of marine life. Ancient Egyptians treated these waters with great respect and were some of the earliest people in history to go fishing for fun. It’s time to follow in their footsteps.
Types of Fish in Egypt
If we told you that you could catch Lionfish and Tigerfish in Egypt, would you believe us? We’re not joking – all sorts of exotic species live in this North African paradise. In fact, there are over 1,200 species of fish across Egypt’s three main bodies of water. And even though modern sportfishing is relatively new here, the local fish you can target rival almost any big game fishing hotspot. Here are some of our favorites…
Tuna
Big, fast, and delicious – Tuna come in a variety of species, but these three words apply to most. Especially in Egypt.
Yellowfin Tuna visit the Red Sea in large schools from the end of December through April, when multiple hookups are relatively common. These large, attractive fish are some of the fastest in the sea – and some of the best tasting, too. And if these brutes are not biting, you’ll still have a good chance of finding Dogtooth, Bonito, and Skipjack Tuna.
Mighty Bluefin Tuna swim past Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline during the summer. These are the largest of all the Tuna species and are so admired for their taste that commercial fishing has almost made them extinct. But they’re making a comeback, and if you’re lucky you might find them out of Alexandria in July and August.
Groupers
The protected coral reefs that attract scuba divers to Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera are also the perfect habitat for bottom fish. None are as colorful or delicious as Groupers.
Watch fishermen unloading their daily catch in Hurghada, and you’ll probably see a range of Grouper species. The White Blotched Grouper is one of the more common, while Coral and Moontail Groupers compete for the award of the brightest fish in the sea. You can catch these by bottom fishing and the beauty of this method is that you never know what you’ll find at the end of your line!
Nile Perch
If you want to catch a real monster, though, you’ll want to go inland. Nile Perch can grow larger than a human and weigh up to 250 pounds. And the current world record was caught right here in Egypt! These brutal freshwater fish have been sportfishing targets since Ancient Egyptian times and nowadays they terrorize the extensive waters of Lake Nasser.
Although they’re abundant in Egypt, fishing for Nile Perch is far from straightforward. These intelligent fish can remember being caught and released, so most of the biggest ones are experts at avoiding hooked bait. Will you be able to outsmart one?
What else?
Common fish in Egypt’s Red Sea ports include Giant Trevally, Mahi Mahi, large Garfish, and even the occasional Sailfish. Go bottom fishing, and you might pull up Lionfish and Bohar Snapper. There are also huge Humboldt Squid and even Swordfish in these waters. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean holds Mullet, Bluefish, and Seabass.
Fish the Nile and Lake Nasser, and you can find toothy Tigerfish alongside friendlier catches like Nile Tilapia and Catfish. Wherever you go, there’ll be no shortage of prized fish to target!
How to Go Fishing in Egypt
Legend has it that when he went fishing in the Nile, Mark Antony tried to impress Cleopatra with his angling skills. But instead of setting the hook himself, he asked his slaves to dive into the water and attach fish onto his line for him. Surprise surprise, this didn’t fool her for a second. We don’t recommend trying this technique, though. Instead, have a go at one of the following.
Deep Sea Fishing
Board a sportfishing boat and travel offshore, and you’ll be in the territory of big game fish. Deep sea fishing in Egypt usually involves trolling several miles away from the coastline, using an array of baits or lures to mimic a school of bait fish. This is the best way to target fish like Tuna and Mahi Mahi, and you may even hook a Giant Trevally on the way.
Some deep sea fishing charters offer the chance to try more advanced techniques like jigging or popping, but this is far from standard. In fact, you’re more likely to find traditional handlines on board than fancy sportfishing gear. Make sure to check with your guide beforehand if you’re set on using any particular technique.
Bottom Fishing
While deep sea fishing involves a lot of traveling and occasional short, sharp bursts of action, bottom fishing in Egypt is a little more dependable. Rather than motoring through the waves, you’ll most likely drift over the edge of the Red Sea’s beautiful coral reefs. Here, you’ll drop a weighted line towards the seabed and see what takes your bait.
This is the best way to catch a fish if you’re not fussy about the end result, making it the perfect half-day activity for beginners and children.
Deep Dropping
Like bottom fishing but more extreme, deep dropping is a popular full-day option out of Red Sea ports like Hurghada. You’ll power out to waters that are 1,000–3,000 feet deep. Then, you’ll stop and use lamps and powerful electric reels to attract and haul in fish from the ocean’s twilight zone. Again, you never know what you might pull up – it could be a Swordfish, a Giant Squid, or a tasty Ruby Snapper.
Shore Fishing
If you just can’t wait to escape your resort, there are plenty of opportunities to fish from shore in Egypt. Just be sure to check which areas are designated as marine parks, where fishing is strictly forbidden, and keep away from swimmers and divers.
Shore fishing in the Red Sea is most likely to result in small Snappers, Breams, and Needlefish. Natural bait such as shrimp and squid is usually most effective. If you want to escape the crowds in the evening, you’ll have a good chance of catching Squid near well-lit areas on darker nights.
If you’re staying in Luxor, you have a good chance of catching small Catfish, Nile Tilapia, and even small Tigerfish in the Nile. Use earthworms for bait and see what you find!
Fly Fishing
There are two reasons why you might be fly fishing in Egypt. Either, you’re casting the shorelines near your resort to scratch the itch that never quite lets up. Otherwise, you’re here with a very specific purpose: catching a mighty river monster on the fly.
We’ll focus on the second. Fly fishing for Nile Perch has got to be one of the ultimate challenges in freshwater fishing. One of the best places to do this is in Lake Nasser. The clear waters of this huge lake are perfect for sight casting. But once you’ve cast, things get more complicated. Nile Perch are notoriously difficult to land even when trolling heavy lures – fly fishing for them is something else.
It really says something that the lake’s abundant and hard-fighting Tigerfish offer fly fishers “light relief.”
Fishing Trips
For a real taste of local culture, hire a guide to show you around. Egypt fishing trips are easy to arrange, especially in Hurghada and Lake Nasser. While trips into the Red Sea usually last between 4–9 hours, Lake Nasser fishing trips are often multiday excursions aboard a mothership. This lets you fish several productive spots and get to grips with this enormous waterway.
Where to Fish in Egypt
In ancient times, fishing in Egypt revolved almost entirely around the Nile. Nowadays, there’s more to it. Seeing as Egypt has three iconic bodies of water, we’ll walk you through the best place to fish in each one.
Hurghada – Fishing Hotspot in Egypt’s Red Sea
The largest city on Egypt’s Red Sea coast started life as a fishing village. Even though it’s now more famous for its resorts and restaurants, it’s still home to a thriving community of fishermen. And even though much of the “Red Sea Riviera” is protected with marine parks, this isn’t the case in Hurghada. Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and GTs are all possibilities here, as well as a range of bottom fish.
Take a fishing trip, and you’ll usually travel upwards of 15 miles from shore to fish the edges of the reefs, where the water starts to get deeper. Otherwise, shore fishing from the jetty at Makadi Bay or from the rocks in the Hurghada town area can be productive. If you’re heading out to sea, bring seasickness medication: it can be windy offshore!
You can fish here all year round, but locals say the best fishing is from January to March.
Lake Nasser – Home to the Biggest Fish in the Nile
Nothing says “fishing in Egypt” like battling a Nile Perch with the Temple of Philae in the background. Lake Nasser is a remarkable fishing spot that you can visit on a day trip from Aswan or as a destination in its own right.
This enormous freshwater lake is a result of the Aswan Dam, which caused nearly 4,000 square miles of the Nile Valley to flood in the 1960s. Now, it’s home to Nile Perch, Tilapia, Tigerfish, and several types of Catfish. Most fishing trips here focus on Nile Perch, trolling with large lures around the lake’s clear waters. But shore fishing and fly fishing are possibilities, too – especially if you’re more open-minded about what you’re going to target.
Alexandria – The “Bride of the Mediterranean”
The largest city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast is a world away from the tranquil waters of Lake Nasser. But if you want to mix fishing with the hustle and bustle of a modern city full of ancient wonders, you’ve come to the right place.
Fishing in the Mediterranean isn’t what it used to be, but with a bit of patience, you can still reap rewards here. Mullet and Dentex can result in a good meal and are possible catches from the pier near the Citadel of Qaitbay. Otherwise, you can join the locals fishing with their long, reel-less poles along the port at Maadia Village. Feeling lucky? Hire a sportfishing boat in mid-summer and hunt for Bluefin Tuna around the offshore oil rigs.
Egypt Fishing Regulations
You don’t need a license to fish from shore in Egypt, but you will need one on a boat. There are also several rules about where you can cast a line and what you can catch. For instance, fishing is strictly forbidden in Sharm El-Sheikh, a marine reserve that you can explore with a snorkel but not a fishing rod. You also aren’t allowed to fish for Sharks and some other fish species, and it’s illegal to damage the local reefs.
Take a fishing charter, and your captain will arrange your license for you and will ensure that you’re fishing in line with the law. Just bring photo identification with you so that they can handle all the paperwork.
Egypt: A New Hotspot for an Ancient Pastime
Given the relatively low profile of sportfishing in Egypt, it’s funny to think that this was possibly the first place that people fished for sport rather than food. But a handful of professional anglers are growing the profile of responsible sportfishing around here. This makes a lot of sense. After all, places with much less potential than Hurghada attract hordes of anglers every year. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next in store for this rich, varied fishery. Are you?
Are you planning a trip to Egypt soon? Will you be packing a rod? We’d love to hear your plans in the comments below!
