Africa
Fishing in
Madagascar 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Madagascar-18.77°, 46.87°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- Through specialized fishing travel operators and lodges.
- Cost
- Sport fishing permit: From 30-50 USD. Included in lodge price.
- Validity
- For the duration of the stay
- Available online?
- No
Madagascar is a GT paradise! The fourth largest island in the world has hardly fished coasts with huge GT, Dogtooth Tuna and Sailfish. Only accessible through specialized providers.
Book fishing tours in Madagascar
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- No general closed seasons. Observe marine reserves.
- Catch limits
- Moderate limits. Catch-and-Release promoted by lodges.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite forbidden. Strict rules in protected areas.
- Catch & Release
- Standard for GT and billfish. Strictly enforced by lodges.
Madagascar's waters are unique due to the island's isolation. The northwest coast (Nosy Be) and the south are the hotspots.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Nosy Be (GT, Sailfish, Dogtooth Tuna, ultimativer Hotspot!)
- —Radama-Archipel (Unberührte Reefs + huge Dogtooth Tuna)
- —Mitsio-Islands (Marlin + Sailfish, Top-Destination im North)
- —Fort Dauphin (Wilde South Coast, erstklassiges GT-Revier)
- —Castor Bank (Offshore-Plateau with kapitalen Raubfischen)
Freshwater
Some rivers with endemic species. Not the main reason for a trip.
Saltwater
4,800 km coastline! Reefs, drop-offs and open Indian Ocean. Hardly fished!
Starting from800 USD / day
Best season: GT: September-December. Big Game: October-April. Possible year-round.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Lodges provide equipment. Own GT equipment recommended (PE8+).
- Fishing guides
- Nosy Be Lodge: 400-800 USD/day. Charter: 300-600 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Antananarivo, then domestic flight to Nosy Be. Roads bad!
- Safety
- Malaria everywhere! Tropical diseases. Medical care minimal. Travel insurance MANDATORY.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa on arrival (approx. 35 USD). Fishing equipment permitted.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
30-50 USD (included in lodge price)
Guide prices
Lodge: 400-800 USD/day. Charter: 300-600 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget difficult: 200-400 USD. Premium: 500-1,000 USD/day.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Madagascar
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Madagascar →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Madagascar with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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