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Hook Them All! The 9 Best Fishing Spots in South Africa for a Fish Haul
Fishing is one of my favourite pastimes. I can spend hours by the water, rod in hand, and just wait for that first bite. There’s something about the quiet and the thrill fishing brings.
South Africa is filled with fishing spots, thanks to its extensive coastline and numerous rivers and dams. But let me tell you which offers the bountiful catches.
If you haven’t caught anything in your usual spot, then it’s time to change places. Here are the best local fishing spots where you’ll go home with a bucketload of fish.
Rietvlei Dam
Media From: haywood.daniel
Location: Rietvallei 377-Jr, Pretoria
Phone: +27 124 809 945
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Tuesday – 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission Fee:
- Adult – R68
- Children 6 to 16 – R40
- Children 2 to 5 – R13
- Children under 2 – Free
- Pensioners – R40
If you’re an angler, Rietvlei Dam is a great spot for fishing with its steady fish populations and challenging conditions like clear water and rocky sections. You’ll be tested as you try to catch yellowfish, carp, bass, and tilapia in these waters using rod and reel method or fly-fishing.
A permit from CapeNature is needed for you to fish in these parts. You’ll also need to present a valid ID upon entrance. Bait boats are permitted, but leave the canoes and kickboats at home; they’re not allowed.
This is one of my go-to spots to test my angling skills. Despite the challenging conditions, the catches here are abundant and rewarding. I even once caught a 6-kilogram yellowfish!
| Tip: For more catches, visit during early spring when fish here are more active. |
Albert Falls Dam
Media From: scarlson03
Location: Umengi River, Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal
Phone: +27 317 657 724
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Fee:
- Adults – R35
- Children Under 12 – R25
- Pensioners – R25
If you prefer bank fishing, Albert Falls Dam is the ideal spot to do so. It has well-developed shorelines, fishing platforms, and designated fishing spots to catch freshwater fish like bass, catfish, and yellowfish.
Plus, it’s one of the best bass fishing dams in the world, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch large bass!
You’ll need a permit from Msinsi Holdings of R50 to fish here. You can also bring your own boat or rent one to reach deeper waters. And with the scenic views and abundant wildlife, fishing is more serene here.
I fish here for the bass. I hooked a 5-kilogram bass not once but twice! That’s why this is one of my go-to spots, especially in the late afternoon of summer.
| Tip: Take advantage of the boat launching facilities in the dam. For an extra R95, you can use the slipways to get your boat in and out of the water easily. |
Sterkfontein Dam
Media From: johnbasilhulley
Location: Harrismith, Free State
Phone: +27 586 223 520
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission Fee:
- Car – R30
- Adult – R20
- Children 10 to 21 – R15
Fish in the second-highest dam wall in South Africa, the Sterkfontein Dam. It has clear water, ideal for sight fishing, fly fishing, bait fishing, and spin fishing.
Plus, there are plenty of fish to reel in, like the sharp-tooth catfish, large-mouth bass, small-banded tilapia, orange river mudfish, and more!
An R30 annual angling fee is required to fish here. You can get your license by visiting the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s website.
I went here during September, the pre-breeding period. I reeled in carp and tilapias and some large sharp-tooth catfish—a bountiful catch!
| Tip: For the best yellowfish catches, use the fly fishing technique, a method where you mimic the patterns of their prey like nymphs and dry flies. |
Breede River Estuary
Media From: quietstorm_boating_fishing
Location: Witsand, Western Cape
Phone: +27 285 371 296
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission Fee: Free
Breede River Estuary is a great spot if you’re into boat fishing, thanks to its mix of saltwater tides and freshwater currents. This unique combination provides nutrients from both bodies of water, thus creating an environment where fish thrive. That means you’ll have ample opportunities to catch mullet, grunter, kob, and more.
Using a boat allows you to reach deeper areas of the estuary. However, you’ll need a South African Post Office license to fish here, which you can get at any of their branches.
Plus, being out in the middle of the river allows you to soak in the surroundings while you wait for a fish to bite your bait.
I love fishing here in the early mornings when the fish are active, and the calm waters make them easier to catch. Combined with the sunrise as my backdrop, it’s a great way to start the day.
| Tip: You can also do shore fishing here, so there’s no problem if you don’t own a boat for deep fishing. |
Vaal River
Media From: ontherunaround
Location: Gauteng
Phone: +27 160 040 019
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Fee:
- Weekdays – R50
- Weekends – R70
- Children – R20
Fish in South Africa’s second-largest river, the Vaal River. It’s known for its abundant fish species like yellowfish, barbel, carp, and catfish, making it an ideal spot for angling, fly fishing, and bait fishing.
Plus, it offers other recreational activities, such as boating, kayaking, and hot-air ballooning.
You can use your fishing license from the South African Post Office here. And if you’re aiming to have a bountiful catch, visit from September to April. The water levels are more stable, making it easier to predict the feeding patterns of the fish.
I once pulled in a 20 kg barbel in these waters. I was hoping to beat the official angling record, which was 35 kg. Still, it was one of the biggest fish I ever caught in my life!
| Tip: You can rent boats and gear at the Vaal Dam if you prefer to venture deep into the river. |
Jozini Dam
Media From: jane_vdmerwe
Location: KwaZulu-Natal
Phone: +27 313 667 500
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Fee:
- Adult – R50
- Children under 12 – R30
Hunt for tigerfish in the pristine waters of Jozini Dam, the largest dam in KwaZulu-Natal! While there are plenty of tigerfish in this area, you can also reel in tilapia, catfish, carp, and yellowfish. But of course, if you’re up for a challenge and a trophy-sized catch, aim for the tigerfish.
You’ll need an annual license from the post office priced at R600. Boat and shore fishing are allowed, but make sure to use steel wire leaders. Tigerfish have sharp teeth that can easily snap a nylon thread.
I went here last weekend, hoping to get that trophy-sized tigerfish. I prepared everything, like sun protection and a fishing line with a strength of 9 kg. All that preparation paid off, as I caught a massive one that weighed 14 kg!
| Tips:Don’t fish during or after lunch because midday heat slows down fish activity.Book a fishing trip with Tiger Hunters Tours & Safaris to have expert guides leading you to the best fishing spots in the dam where you’ll catch large tiger fish. |
Orange River
Media From: keithroseinnesflyfishing
Location: Southern Africa
Admission Fee: Free
Enjoy fishing in the longest river in South Africa, the Orange River. With its length of 2,432 kilometres, there’s plenty of opportunity to hook catfish, barbel, carp, tilapia, and yellowfish. With its clear waters, you can either fly, spin, or bait fish here, depending on your preference.
You’ll need a license to fish, and your permit from the post office is valid here. Plus, it doesn’t require you to rent a boat to get a good catch. There are plenty of accessible spots along the riverbanks, making shore fishing possible.
While it’s abundant in catfish, barbel, and other common game fish, I caught a longfin eel here. It’s a rare occurrence in the Orange River system, especially with its size of 1.2 meters.
| Tip: It’s best to fish here during May when the weather is cooler. It’s also the start of spawning season, so there are plenty of fish species to catch. |
Sodwana Bay
Media From: theawebb
Location: Sodwana Main Rd, Mbazwana
Phone: +27 827 858 149
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission Fee: 4-5 Anglers – R9000 per day
Sodwana Bay is the spot if you’re into deep-sea fishing. Known for its rich marine biodiversity, these waters offer plenty of chances to catch mahi-mahi, sailfish, king mackerel, kingfish, and more (as long as you have a license).
With deep-sea fishing popular in these waters, there are plenty of fishing charters to aid you, like the La Bleu Marlin. That means you don’t have to bring your own equipment and boat.
Shore fishing and boat fishing are also possible in these parts, although the bigger reward awaits in the deep ends of the sea.
I caught one of my prized fish in this place—a striped marlin. I really worked hard to catch it, especially with its acrobatic swimming pattern.
| Tip: If you managed to catch a leatherback turtle or a whale shark, return it immediately to the sea. These species are protected and cannot be caught due to conservation efforts. |
Mavungana
Media From: mavunganaflyfishing
Location: Lion St, Dullstroom
Phone: +27 132 540 270
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission Fee: Day Pass – R900 per person
Mavungana is a fishing store with one of the best spots to catch rainbow trout and brown trout. It has a catch-and-release policy to maintain the fish populations, keeping the waters well-stocked.
You don’t have to bring your gear or boat here. You can rent all the necessary equipment, like rods, reels, and flies.
Plus, it offers all-inclusive guided fly-fishing trips, allowing you to fish in the best spots and catch rainbow trout and large brown trout for a quick photo.
I landed one of my biggest trout here. It really had a strong fighting spirit, darting and leaping! I posed for a quick photo while holding the still-struggling fish before releasing it back into the water.
| Tip: They also offer accommodation at Longmeadow Farms, where you’ll get to stay in one of the three properties of Mavungana’s owners, David Abery and Jonathan Boulton. |
