All spots

Swakop River

River fishing  Namibia · 07:36 - 18:22

Swakop River is a river in Namibia. Flowing water with species ranked by weather, temperature and season, see below.

Good 57% The bite right now
Top bet: African Sharptooth Catfish Active through the night, water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
56%
20°
Best day
Sun
54%
24°
Mon
54%
27°
Tue
54%
28°
Wed
54%
18°
Thu
54%
19°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
24°C
Air temp
11°C
Wind
2 m/s
Pressure
1020 hPa → stable
Clouds
9.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:51–08:51 Dusk 17:07–19:07

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing gibbous 87% lit
Major period 21:12–23:12 Major period 09:12–11:12 Minor period 14:41–16:11 Minor period 04:14–05:44

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

02:00
11°
03:00
11°
04:00
11°
05:00
11°
06:00
14°
07:00
15°
08:00
15°
09:00
17°
10:00
20°
11:00
21°
12:00
24°
13:00
22°

Likely catch now (4 species)

African Sharptooth Catfish
Clarias gariepinus
57%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
Nembwe
Serranochromis robustus
23%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
African Pike
Hepsetus odoe
22%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
Tap for details
Tigerfish
Hydrocynus vittatus
9%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 24 degrees.
Tap for details

About the fishing here

Swakop River is a river in Namibia.

Popular catches here include African Sharptooth Catfish, Nembwe, African Pike and Tigerfish.

African Sharptooth Catfish fishing is usually best around Jan-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A national or regional fishing permit is generally required here. Check the local rules. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Tips right now

Timing This is a prime window for african sharptooth catfish at night. Fish hard now.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

You need a fishing permit (fiskekort) to fish here. Buy it online:

About this water

The Swakop River is a major river in western central Namibia. Its source is in the Khomas Highland. From there it flows westwards through the town of Okahandja, the historic mission station at Gross Barmen, and the settlement of Otjimbingwe. It then crosses the Namib desert and reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund. The Swakop is an ephemeral river; its run-off is roughly 40 million cubic metres per annum. It has reached the Atlantic Ocean most recently in 2011, 2022, and 2025.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Swakop River?

Popular catches here include African Sharptooth Catfish, Nembwe, African Pike and Tigerfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Swakop River?

Usually yes. Most countries require a national or regional fishing permit. Check the local rules via the link on this page.

When is the best time to fish Swakop River?

African Sharptooth Catfish fishing is usually best around Jan-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Swakop River right now?

Right now African Sharptooth Catfish is the most likely catch, at about 75%.