Africa
Fishing in
Nigeria 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Nigeria9.08°, 8.68°
🎣 Live catches in nigeria
1 verified catches
Not enough data (1 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- Through local providers or Federal Department of Fisheries.
- Cost
- From 20-50 USD. Included in charter price.
- Validity
- For the duration of the tour
- Available online?
- No
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa (220 Mio.!) with the Niger Delta, the Lake Chad tributary and 853 km Atlantic coast. Lagos is a megacity AND fishing spot! Sailfish and Tarpon off the coast.
Book fishing tours in Nigeria
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- No general closed seasons for sport anglers.
- Catch limits
- Moderate limits.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite prohibited (but unfortunately widespread).
- Catch & Release
- Increasingly for Big Game.
The Niger Delta is one of the largest river deltas in the world — but heavily polluted by oil spills.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Lagos Bar Beach (Sailfish + Tarpon, Coastnnähe)
- —Kainji-Reservoir (Nilbarsch + Tigerfisch, Freshwater-Hotspot)
- —Lekki-Lagoon (Jack Crevalle + Snapper, Brackwasser)
- —Calabar-Coast (Barrakuda + Reef fishing, Südosten)
- —Matan-Fada-River (Argungu-Festival-Revier, kulturelles Fishing)
Freshwater
Niger and Benue with Nile perch. Kainji Reservoir. Lake Chad tributary.
Saltwater
853 km Atlantic coast on the Gulf of Guinea. Lagos for Big Game!
Starting from800 USD / day
Best season: Coast: All year. Dry season: November-March. Freshwater: October-March.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Basic equipment in Lagos. Charter boats provide equipment.
- Fishing guides
- Lagos charter: 300-800 USD/day. Kainji: 50-150 USD.
- Transport
- Flights to Lagos or Abuja. Domestic flights. Traffic in Lagos is LEGENDARILY bad.
- Safety
- Lagos: Caution (crime). Northeast: Boko Haram! Niger Delta: Kidnapping risk! Only safe areas.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa required in advance. Fishing equipment permitted.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
20-50 USD.
Guide prices
50-800 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget: 40-80 USD. Big Game Lagos: 200-500 USD.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Nigeria
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Nigeria →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Nigeria 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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Mobile Data
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