Fishing in Cyprus

There’s nothing better than a family vacation to Cyprus. You can all enjoy the sun, sea, and delicious food when here. Most importantly, you can enjoy fishing in Cyprus! It’s no surprise that fishing is a big part of island life, but the variety of both inshore and offshore fishing will leave you amazed.

Offshore Fishing

With over 250 species calling these waters home, there’s something to catch in the Mediterranean Sea every day of the year.

You have the best chance to target Swordfish in northern Cyprus out of Girne. Fishing out of Larnaca or Ayia Napa in eastern Cyprus could have you hooking into Common Pandora, Dusky Grouper, and Sharks. Head to Limassol in the south for Common Pandora, European Seabass, Dentex, King Mackerel, and Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna. Paphos in the west is a hot spot for Grouper, Amberjack, and Common Pandora.

If Tuna is at the top of your to-catch list, come fishing from June until August. It won’t take long during this time to get a hook-up, as the Tuna come within 12 kilometers of the shore. In Paphos, this equates to a 20-minute boat ride before you’re at the top fishing grounds. Due to the size of the Tuna and difficulty reeling them in, this type of trip is not recommended for children.

If you’re after a tasty Mahi Mahi or a Bonito, head to Cyprus from October to December. This is great for children as you can fish very close to the shore.

Most fishing trips start early in the morning and are around five hours long. The fishing is most productive in the mornings and a shorter trip helps you to avoid the midday heat. Fishing experience is not required and everyone will have fun reeling in a range of species. Fishing for Squid is popular in Cyprus, especially at night.

You don’t need a fishing license when trolling offshore. However, you’ll need a license for spearfishing, trap fishing, and nighttime fishing with spear guns.

Freshwater Fishing

Freshwater fishing is a well-kept secret in Cyprus. There are plenty of stocked dams and reservoirs where you can fish. There are 15 freshwater species stocked in Cyprus. These include Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Trout, Pikeperch, Carp, Bream, and Roach.

The largest reservoir is the Asprogremmos Reservoir. This is great for Catfish and Trout. The Yermasogeia Reservoir holds Carp, Silver Bream, and more. The Achna Dam  has some of the biggest Catfish, as well as populations of Largemouth Bass, Carp, Roach, Tilapia, and more. For some of the biggest Carp, head to the Kouris Dam.

All anglers over 12 need to have a fishing license when fishing the dams and reservoirs. Regulations are more strict for freshwater fishing than offshore. This includes limits of the catch and size, when the open season is, and regulations on what time of day you can fish. These are subject to change, so have a local guide with you and check the current regulations before heading out.

How to Prepare

Most charters will have snacks and drinks on board. Fishing gear and tackle are usually provided so you rarely need to bring your own gear. Always check the captain’s policy regarding how much of the catch you can keep, or whether the fish belong to the boat.

You’ll need to bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and a towel with you.

There’s no better time to come fishing in Cyprus!