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Fishing in Malawi

23 species across 42 spots

Malawi offers fishing across 42 spots with 23 species in freshwater, marine, freshwater, brackish, freshwater, brackish waters. Suitable for beginner to expert anglers.

Best months: November to march, June-september, May-october, October‑march

Top Spots

Cape Maclear5 species

World‑renowned rock‑dive site on Lake Malawi where Ctenochromis scatebra congregates around submerged granite boulders, making it a prime spot for targeted catches.

Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi4 species

Popular shore fishing spot with abundant rocky habitats where Chindongo minutus congregate near the shoreline.

Nkhata Bay4 species

Popular tourist hub offering easy launch points; the bay's shallow reef zones are teeming with C. scatebra throughout the warm season.

23

Species

42

Spots

Species

23
Chindongo minutus

Chindongo minutus

Chindongo minutus

Very Common

freshwater

Cape Maclear, Lake MalawiSenga BayMwinilunga Point
Enteromius trinotatus

Enteromius trinotatus

Enteromius trinotatus

Very Common

freshwater

Lake Malawi (Southern Basin)
Ctenochromis scatebra

Ctenochromis scatebra

Ctenochromis scatebra

Very Common

freshwater

Cape MaclearNkhata BayMikoko Peninsula+1
Haplochromis coprologus

Haplochromis coprologus

Haplochromis coprologus

Very Common

freshwater

Manda BayCape MaclearMonkey Bay+2
Malawi eyebiter

Malawi eyebiter

Dimidiochromis compressiceps

Very Common

freshwater

Cape MaclearNkhotakota Wildlife Reserve (Lake Edge)Likoma Island (Manda Bay)+3
Forktail lates

Forktail lates

Lates microlepis

Very Common

freshwater

Cape Maclear, Lake MalawiLiwewe Bay, Lake Malawi (Northern)Mikoko Island, Lake Malawi+1
Variable lampeye

Variable lampeye

Procatopus similis

Very Common

freshwater

Lake Malawi (Southern End)

Placidochromis longus

Placidochromis longus

Very Common

freshwater

Nkhata Bay, Lake MalawiCape Maclear, Lake MalawiLikoma Island, Lake Malawi+1
Cynotilapia aurifrons

Cynotilapia aurifrons

Cynotilapia aurifrons

Very Common

freshwater

Cape MaclearLikoma IslandNkhata Bay+2
Tramitichromis brevis

Tramitichromis brevis

Tramitichromis brevis

Very Common

freshwater

Likoma IslandCape MaclearNkhata Bay+1
Greenface aulonocara

Greenface aulonocara

Aulonocara saulosi

Very Common

freshwater

Cape Maclear, Lake MalawiMikese Rock, Lake Malawi (Malawian side)Thumbi West Island, Lake Malawi+1
Tigerfish

Tigerfish

Rhamphochromis longiceps

Very Common

freshwater

Cape Maclear, Lake MalawiMonkey Bay (South Shore), Lake MalawiThumbi West Bay, Lake Malawi+1
Papermouth

Papermouth

Enteromius mattozi

Very Common

freshwater

Shire River
Mastacembelus kadeiensis

Mastacembelus kadeiensis

Mastacembelus kadeiensis

Very Common

freshwater

Lake Malawi – Likoma Island waters
Nothobranchius cooperi

Nothobranchius cooperi

Nothobranchius cooperi

Common

freshwater

Mikoko Peninsula, Lake Malawi
African longfin eel

African longfin eel

Anguilla mossambica

Common

marine, freshwater, brackish

Lake Malawi
Redbreast tilapia

Redbreast tilapia

Coptodon rendalli

Common

freshwater, brackish

Lake Malawi (Southern Arm)
Haplochromis pancitrinus

Haplochromis pancitrinus

Haplochromis pancitrinus

Common

freshwater

Lake Malawi – Cape MaclearLake Malawi – Likoma Island
Acrostalagmus aphidum

Acrostalagmus aphidum

Acrostalagmus aphidum

Common
Lake Malawi
Thaumastocoris safordi

Thaumastocoris safordi

Thaumastocoris safordi

Common
Lake Malawi
Labeobarbus micronema

Labeobarbus micronema

Labeobarbus micronema

Common

freshwater

Lake Malawi – Liwonde National Park
Serranochromis janus

Serranochromis janus

Serranochromis janus

Occasional

freshwater

Shire River (Lake Malawi outlet)
Haplochromis maisomei

Haplochromis maisomei

Haplochromis maisomei

Occasional

freshwater

Lake Malawi - Nkhotakota