Sport Fishing in Cyprus
Cyprus offers fishing enthusiasts an outstanding choice of fresh-water as well as salt-water fishing. There are 23 dams that offer you plenty of fresh water fishing opportunities where you can look forward to reeling in about 18 different species of fish. If salt-water fishing is more your thing, the surrounding Mediterranean Sea, with more than 70 different species of salt-water fish offers endless opportunities. You do not need a license for angling or trawling in the sea or if you are spear fishing with no diving equipment. However, licenses are required and certain restrictions apply for fishing with long-lines or nets and for spear fishing. Licenses can be obtained from the Head Office of Fisheries Department, Nicosia or from the District Offices of Fisheries Department. Contact the Fisheries Department, to find out for what form of fishing a license is required.
Species of fish which can be caught in sea: sea-breams,groupers, amber jacks, sea-perch etc. Fishing can be enjoyed in several spots on the sea – side or at dams. Fishing shelters are found at Zyghi, Limassol, Protaras, Ayia Napa, Liopetri, Polis Latschi, Pegia,Pomos and Larnaca.
Fresh Water Fishing – fishing in dams and reservoirs
Many dams are open all year round. In the Cyprus fresh waters you will find some 18 different species like Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Carp, Tench, Catfish, Silver Bream, Pike, Zander, Tilapia and Roach, depending on the dam. The list of dams on the dams in Cyprus page shows the most common types of fish you can catch in each dam.
Cyprus has over 100 dams. The dams are built to create fresh water reservoirs to prevent Cyprus from serious drought during the summer and to ensure an equal distribution between the mountains and the much drier coastal areas.
Below are a few major dams in different districts and shows you the different species of fish you can catch:
| Nicosia District | |
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1 |
Kafizes dam: 78 km, (48 miles) from Nicosia, North-West of Troodos mountains – Trout, Carp, Mosquito fish, Roach |
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2 |
Kalopanayiotis dam: 70 km (44 miles) from Nicosia, South-West of Troodos – Trout, Mosquito fish, Bass |
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3 |
Lefka dam: 64 km, (40 miles) from Nicosia, Northern foothills of Troodos – Trout, Carp, Mosquito fish, Roach, Bass |
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4 |
Lympia dam: 22 km (14 miles) South – East of Nicosia town |
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5 |
Palaichori dam: 39 km (24 miles) from Nicosia, North slopes Adelphoi mountains – Trout, Mosquito fish, Carp, Roach, Goldfish |
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6 |
Xyliatos dam: 45 km (28 miles) South-West of Nicosia town – Trout, Bass, Mosquito fish, Carp, Crayfish, Roach |
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7 |
Tamasos dam: 22 km (14 miles) South – West of Nicosia town – Bass, Mosquito fish, Roach, Carp |
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Limassol District |
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8 |
Yermasogia dam: 10 min. North of Limassol – Carp, Roach, Bleak, Bass, Grey mullet, Silver bream, Perch, Mosquito fish, Catfish |
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9 |
Kourris dam: 25 minutes drive North-West of Limassol town – Pikeperch, Carp, Roach, Mosquito fish, Bass, Silver bream |
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10 |
Prodromos dam: 4 km, (2,5 miles) from (Olympos) Troodos mountains – Trout, Carp, Mosquito fish, Roach |
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11 |
Polemidia dam: 10 minutes drive, North-West of Limassol town – Carp, Roach, Mosquito fish, Catfish |
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Larnaka District |
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12 |
Dipotamos dam: 30 minutes drive east of Kato Lefkara – Tench, Mosquito fish, Pikeperch, Roach, Bass, Catfish |
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13 |
Lefkara dam: near Lefkara village, 40 km (25 miles), west of Larnaka – Trout, Bass, Carp, Bleak, Roach, Grey mullet,
Crayfish, Eel, Mosquito fish, Rapfen, Pikeperch |
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14 |
Kalavasos dam: 40 km (25 miles) North-East of Limassol – Carp, Bass, Mosquito fish, Catfish, Roach, Tilapia |
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15 |
Aradippou dam: 8 km (5 miles) North-West of Larnaka – Carp, Roach, Mosquito fish |
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Pafos District |
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16 |
Asprokremmos dam: 16 km, (10 miles) east of Pafos town – Bass, Carp, Mosquito fish, Roach, Silver bream, Trout, Catfish |
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17 |
Mavrokolympos dam: 11 km, (7 miles) North-West of Pafos town – Carp, Roach, Mosquito fish, Bass, Silver bream |
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18 |
Evretou dam: 30 minutes drive South of Polis – Mosquito fish, Pikeperch, Roach, Crayfish, Catfish, Carp, Bass |
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19 |
Argaka-Makounta dam: 15 minutes drive North-East of Polis – Carp, Mosquito fish, Bass, Roach, Catfish, Perch |
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20 |
Agia Marina dam: 20 minutes drive North-East of Polis – Carp, Mosquito fish, Bass, Roach, Catfish, Perch |
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21 |
Pomos dam: 30 minutes drive North-East of Polis – Carp, Mosquito fish, Bass, Roach, Catfish, Perch |
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22 |
Arminou dam: 30 k (16miles)North-East of Pafos town – Carp, Trout, Roach, Mosquito fish, Bass |
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Ammochostos district |
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23 |
Achna dam: 25 km (16 miles) North-West of Larnaka town – Crayfish, Carp, Mosquito fish, Roach |
FRESHWATER FISH OF CYPRUS
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PUMPKINSEED – ΗΛΙΟΨΑΡΟ
Scientific name: Lepomis Gibbosus Common size: 15-20 cm, weight: 100-450 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, worms, insects, bread, worms, small spinners, fly-fishing, etc Hook size: No. 6-10 Line: 0.12-0.18 mm Prefers shallow water with vegetation or cove. |
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BLEAK – ΑΛΒΟΥΡΝΟΣ
Scientific name: Alburnus alburnus Common size: 8-12 cm, weight: 10-20 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Flour, worms, insects, bread, etc Hook size: No. 16-18 Line: 0.10-0.12 mm Prefers shallow water. Very sensitive. Can be used as bait for bigger fish. |
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RAPFEN – ΑΣΠΙΟΣ
Scientific name: Aspius aspius Common size: 35-45 cm, weight: 0.5-1.5 kg Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, insects, spoon etc Hook size: No. 12-8 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Gar. Prefers the surface of water. It grows fast. |
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RED SWAMP CRAYFISH – ΑΣΤΑΚΟΣ
Scientific name: Procambarus clarkii Common size: 12-15 cm, weight: 20-30 gr Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, small pieces of meat, liver etc Special traps must be used to catch them. Prefers to hide in underwater plants, rocks or digs holes. |
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SILVER BREAM – ΒΛΙΚΑ
Scientific name: Blicca bjoerkna Common size: 15-20 cm, weight: 50-150 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Corn, flour, bread, boiled potato etc Hook size: No. 14-12 Line: 0.12-0.20 mm Found near the bank, quite sensitive |
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AMERICAN CHANNEL CATFISH – ΓΑΤΟΨΑΡΟ
Scientific name: Ictalurus punctatus Common size: 25-45 cm, weight: 0.5-1 kg Fishing season: Spring-Summer Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, liver, insects, frogs etc Hook size: No.6 Line: 0.30-0.35 mm Gar. Prefers muddy bed with lots of plants. |
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ROACH – ΚΟΚΚΙΝΟΦΤΕΡΑ
Scientific name: Rutilus rutilus Common size: 15-22 cm, weight: 100-250 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Corn, flour, boiled potato etc Hook size: No. 14-12 Line: 0.12-0.15 mm Prefers shallow water with rocky or sandy bed. |
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MOSQUITO FISH – ΚΟΥΝΟΥΠΙΕΡΗΣ
Scientific name: Gambusia affinis Common size: 4-6 cm Used to control mosquito population and as food for other bigger fish. |
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MIRROR CARP – ΚΥΠΡΙΝΟΣ
Scientific name: Cyprinus carpio Common size: 25-35 cm, weight: 0.5-2 kg Fishing season: Any time of the year except in v.cold weather Bait: Corn, flour, worms, bread, boiled potato etc Hook size: No. 6 Line: 0.25-0.35 mm Prefers the shallow water. It grows fast. |
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LARGEMOUTH BASS – ΛΑΥΡΑΚΙ
Scientific name: Micropterus salmoides Common size: 20-35 cm, weight: 0.5-1 kg Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, insects, spoon etc Hook size: No. 2-6 Line: 0.25-0.30 mm Gar. Hides in plants or under rocks waiting for its prey. |
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PIKEPERCH – ΛΟΥΤΣΙΟΠΕΡΚΑ
Scientific name: Stizostedion lucioperca Common size: 35-70 cm, weight: 0.5-3 kg Fishing season: any time of the year especially in cloudy weather or late in the afternoon. Bait: Small live fish, worms, spoon etc Hook size: No. 6 Line: 0.30-0.40 mm Gar. Lives near plants or rocky and sandy bed in deep water. |
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PERCH – ΠΕΡΚΑ
Scientific name: Perca fluviatilis Common size: 18-25 cm, weight: 200-400 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year. Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, insects, spoon etc Hook size: No. 12-8 Line: 0.25-0.30 mm Gar. Hides in plants or under rocks or tree logs waiting for its prey. |
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RAINBOW TROUT – ΠΕΣΤΡΟΦΑ (ΙΡΙΔΙΖΟΥΣΑ)
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus mykiss Common size: 20-30 cm, weight: 100-500 gr Fishing season: Spring-beginning of Summer, Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, insects, corn, flour, snails spoon etc Hook size: No. 12-10 Line: 0.15-0.30 mm Gar. Perfers clear cool water. |
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BROWN TROUT – ΠΕΣΤΡΟΦΑ (ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ)
Scientific name: Salmo trutta Gar. Hides in plants or under rocks waiting for its prey. HIGHLY PROTECTED SPECIES – CATCHING BROWN TROUT FOUND IN RIVERS OF CYPRUS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. |
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TILAPIA – ΤΙΛΑΠΙΑ
Scientific name: Oreochromis sp. Common size: 15-18 cm, weight: 100-300 gr Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Corn, flour, worms, bread, insects etc Hook size: No. 6 Line: 0.15-0.30 mm Prefers warm water. Does not survive when water temperature falls below 100C. |
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TENCH – ΤΙΝΚΑ
Scientific name: Tinca tinca Common size: 20-25 cm, weight: 150-250 gr Fishing season: Spring-Summer Bait: Corn, flour, worms, bread etc Hook size: No. 8-6 Line: 0.25-0.30 mm Lives at the bed of dams and prefers spots with plants and mud. |
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EEL – ΧΕΛΙ
Scientific name: Anguilla anguilla Common size: up to 1.5 m, weight: 0.5-1,5 kg Fishing season: Spring-Autumn Bait: Small dead or live fish, worms, liver, gurry etc Hook size: No. 12-10 Line: 0.35-0.40 mm Gar. Active during night time. Hides in mud at the bed of dams and rivers. |
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CRUCIAN CARP – ΧΡΥΣΟΨΑΡΟ
Scientific name: Carassius carassius, Carassius auratus Common size: 15-18 cm, weight: 150-300 gr Fishing season: Any time of the year Bait: Corn, flour, worms etc Hook size: No. 7 Line: 0.20-0.25 mm Hides in plants in shallow water |
