When you think of Egypt, you probably conjure up images of Ancient Egypt, imagining pharaohs and pyramids in a hot desert land – this is a huge part of Egypt's history. Even today, visitors flock to this northern African country to see the Sphinx, the tombs of the pharaohs, and to take a cruise down the River Nile. What you might not know about is the saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities you can find in Egypt, too. Fishing in Egypt is as varied and beautiful as its history – book a charter and come see for yourself!
Fishing the Red Sea
One of the most popular places for saltwater fishing trips is Hurghada, located on the northern part of the Red Sea. Once a fishing village, this is now a major tourist hotspot. There are plenty of things to do if you're bringing the whole family out here, from relaxing on the beach to diving.
But it's when you get out on the water that things get really exciting. There are over 1,000 fish species here, with over 200 that make up the count of 'common catches.' Target species include sportfishing legends such as Giant Trevally, Yellowfin and Dogtooth Tuna, as well as Barracuda, Spotted Coral Grouper, Red and Broomtail Grouper, Red Bass, and more. February, July, and August also see a brief Sailfish migration. Yes, there's a lot more to Hurghada than the beach!
Trips here usually focus on be trolling the reef edges, which can be 120–200 meters deep, or drift fishing in waters around 60 meters deep. You may also want to to try bottom fishing and jigging. You can fish from Hurghada all year round and fishing experience isn't necessary. Most of the boats here are high-end with luxury and comfort their main goal.
Most fishing trips from Hurghada will run a minimum of 15 miles from shore, to get to the reefs. It can take a few hours to reach the fishery, so book longer trips to get the most out of your day.
Fishing Lake Nasser
For freshwater fishing, head to the south of Egypt to the man-made Lake Nasser. This is a legendary fishing spot in Egypt, mostly due to one huge freshwater fish that calls these waters home. This is the Nile Perch, and it can reach over 200 lb in size!
Most trips to Lake Nasser last for multiple days, allowing you to get into the wildness and spend as much time fishing as possible. You can also target Tigerfish and Vundu Catfish here, along with 30 other species. You'll be shore fishing and trolling on Lake Nasser, on simple, traditional boats.
Fishing the Mediterranean Sea
In the north of Egypt is the famous city of Alexandria, which is only 2.5 hours from the capital city, Cairo. When fishing here, you'll be able to target Seabass, Grouper, Sea Bream, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, and more. The most common catch in this area is White Sea Bream.
Head to Abu Qir for a good day of fishing. You can even swim here and enjoy a seafood dinner at one of the many restaurants.
How to Prepare
Always check what is included in the price of your trip. In Hurghada especially, you'll be spending the day on a beautiful and luxurious huge boat, but will likely need to rent the fishing gear and bring food and drinks along. Make sure you have enough Egyptian pounds on you for these extra essentials.
Although your captain is likely to sort out your fishing license for the trip, you must bring photo identification with you.
Most fishing trips also offer you the chance to snorkel, so have a towel and a swimsuit packed. Don't forget to bring along the sun essentials, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
Need to Know
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Please check for any government travel warnings before traveling. To avoid unwanted attention, women should dress conservatively when outside their resort or in less touristy areas.
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Spearfishing, fishing nets, and harpoons are illegal in Egypt. It is also illegal to damage the reefs or fish for Sharks and turtles.
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There are many religious festivals in Egypt that you may observe during your vacation. During Ramadan, most shops, cafes, restaurants, and banks will close during the day. Everything comes alive again at night.
Egypt offers anglers a unique opportunity to fish in a land with a rich history for some beautiful fish. This is the trip of a lifetime that you won't forget in a hurry!