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Fishing in Democratic Republic of the Congo

34 species across 48 spots

Democratic Republic of the Congo offers fishing across 48 spots with 34 species in freshwater, freshwater, brackish, marine, freshwater, brackish waters. Suitable for beginner to expert anglers.

Best months: March‑may, September‑november, April to june, May-october

Top Spots

Congo River – Kinshasa Rapids3 species

Strong currents and turbulent rapids create ideal habitats for Labeobarbus boulengeri, which congregate in eddies and backwaters near the capital.

Kasai River2 species

Major Congo basin tributary with high soloni density; fast currents demand skillful handling.

Lomami River2 species

Upper Lomami River hosts healthy populations of Enteromius anniae in clear, fast‑flowing sections, making it a prime spot for small‑barb enthusiasts.

34

Species

48

Spots

Species

34
Synodontis guttatus

Synodontis guttatus

Synodontis guttatus

Very Common

freshwater

Lake TumbaCongo River – KinshasaLomami River – Kindu+1
Lamprologus lemairii

Lamprologus lemairii

Lamprologus lemairii

Very Common

freshwater

Kalemie ShoreKasanga Deep Water
Synodontis velifer

Synodontis velifer

Synodontis velifer

Very Common

freshwater

Inga RapidsLomami River
Aphyosemion bitteri

Aphyosemion bitteri

Aphyosemion bitteri

Very Common

freshwater

Lukaya River, Congo BasinKasai River Tributary near KanangaMomboyo River
Hippopotamyrus pictus

Hippopotamyrus pictus

Hippopotamyrus pictus

Very Common

freshwater

Congo River (Kinshasa Basin)
Cloudy squeaker

Cloudy squeaker

Synodontis nebulosus

Very Common

freshwater

Congo River - Lower Kasai RegionKasai River - Inga RapidsLualaba River - Upstream near Kolwezi
Synodontis soloni

Synodontis soloni

Synodontis soloni

Very Common

freshwater

Kasai RiverInga Rapids, Congo RiverKinshasa Riverbank
Ctenopoma ashbysmithi

Ctenopoma ashbysmithi

Ctenopoma ashbysmithi

Very Common

freshwater

Lake Mai Ndombe
Enteromius trinotatus

Enteromius trinotatus

Enteromius trinotatus

Very Common

freshwater

Upper Congo River (Kisangani Region)
African glass catfish

African glass catfish

Pareutropius debauwi

Common

freshwater

Congo River – Kinshasa–Brazzaville Border
Cyphomyrus aelsbroecki

Cyphomyrus aelsbroecki

Cyphomyrus aelsbroecki

Common

freshwater

Upper Congo River (Kinshasa Reach)Lake Tanganyika (Kalemie Shore)
Enteromius anniae

Enteromius anniae

Enteromius anniae

Common

freshwater

Lomami RiverKasai River
Clarias anfractus

Clarias anfractus

Clarias anfractus

Common

freshwater

Congo River, Kinshasa Region
Labeobarbus boulengeri

Labeobarbus boulengeri

Labeobarbus boulengeri

Common

freshwater

Congo River – Kinshasa Rapids
Labeobarbus micronema

Labeobarbus micronema

Labeobarbus micronema

Common

freshwater

Lualaba River – Kolwezi BendCongo River – Kinshasa Rapids
Mormyrops zanclirostris

Mormyrops zanclirostris

Mormyrops zanclirostris

Common

freshwater

Congo River, Kinshasa RapidsLake Tanganyika, Lukuga Inlet
Alestopetersius brichardi

Alestopetersius brichardi

Alestopetersius brichardi

Common

freshwater

Lomami River, Kindu RegionUpper Congo River near KisanganiLulua River near Kananga
Reticulate knifefish

Reticulate knifefish

Papyrocranus afer

Common

freshwater

Congo River at Kisangani
Haplochromis maisomei

Haplochromis maisomei

Haplochromis maisomei

Common

freshwater

Lake Kivu - Goma Shore
Haplochromis pellegrini

Haplochromis pellegrini

Haplochromis pellegrini

Common

freshwater

Ishango Island, Lake Victoria
Fresh water puffer fish

Fresh water puffer fish

Tetraodon mbu

Common

freshwater, brackish

Congo RiverLualaba River
Enteromius trispiloides

Enteromius trispiloides

Enteromius trispiloides

Occasional

freshwater

Congo River – Kinshasa Floodplain
Ctenopoma houyi

Ctenopoma houyi

Ctenopoma houyi

Occasional

freshwater

Congo River (Kinshasa‑Mbandaka stretch)
Enteromius validus

Enteromius validus

Enteromius validus

Occasional

freshwater

Congo River (Kinshasa Stretch)
Orthochromis rugufuensis

Orthochromis rugufuensis

Orthochromis rugufuensis

Occasional

freshwater

Lake Kivu – Goma
Perch

Perch

Distichodus engycephalus

Occasional

freshwater

Upper Congo River, Kinshasa Region
Ctenopoma nebulosum

Ctenopoma nebulosum

Ctenopoma nebulosum

Occasional

freshwater

Congo River – Kinshasa Stretch
Nile perch

Nile perch

Lates niloticus

Occasional

freshwater

Lake Tanganyika – Kalemie
Cyphomyrus wilverthi

Cyphomyrus wilverthi

Cyphomyrus wilverthi

Occasional

freshwater

Upper Congo River – Kisangani Stretch
Micralestes occidentalis

Micralestes occidentalis

Micralestes occidentalis

Occasional

freshwater

Upper Congo Basin near Kinshasa
Fundulopanchax ndianus

Fundulopanchax ndianus

Fundulopanchax ndianus

Occasional

freshwater

Upper Congo Basin (Lomami Tributary)
African mottled eel

African mottled eel

Anguilla labiata

Occasional

marine, freshwater, brackish

Congo River Estuary
Enteromius citrinus

Enteromius citrinus

Enteromius citrinus

Occasional

freshwater

Congo River – Kinshasa Rapids
African longfin eel

African longfin eel

Anguilla mossambica

Uncommon

marine, freshwater, brackish

Congo River near Kisangani