Abstract:
Experimental fishing using graded gill nets of varying mesh sizes, hooks and traps was conducted on Lakes Chahafi and Kayumbu during 1998 and 1999 and commercial fish catch data for period 1963 -1998 was collected from Department of Fisheries Resources at Kabale and Entebbe headquarters. The data showed Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) and Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) as the major fisheries on Lakes Chahafi and Kayumbu respectively. However, fishery exploitation on these lakes was not continuous due to constant decline over-the years even after restocking. The catch rates and size of fish that were being harvested indicated low production at the time of the study. The paper presents past trends and present status of the fishery, types of fish sizes and exploitation of the fish species in the two lakes, constraints to production and strategies for enhancing fish catches on lakes Chahafi and Kayumbu.