Welcome to the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal

Fishing Venues in KwaZulu-Natal

zoom Giants Cup Wilderness Area - Southern Drakensberg Photo: W.Avni

With over 500kms of coastline, the second largest river in South Africa, numerous other rivers and thousands of dams, KZN is an ideal fishing destination. Starting off in the mountains, the Drakensberg rivers and streams, and the dams lower down offer the freshwater fisherman ample opportunity to hook the big one. Rainbow and brown trout as well as bass, carp, yellowfish and even tigerfish tempt one to dangle the odd line or risk a fly or two at over 60 freshwater fishing spots.

The following is a list of the some of the most important fresh water fishing venues in KwaZulu-Natal, with an indication of the most important fish species that can be caught at these sites.

Albert Falls Public Resort, near Pietermaritzburg.
Largemouth Bass, Carp, Barbel, KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly), Redbreast Tilapia, Mozambique Tilapia

Chelmsford Dam, near Newcastle
Carp & KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly)

Craigieburn Dam, near Mount Alida on the Greytown Road
Largemouth Bass & Rainbow Trout

Drakensberg Streams, Bergville, Underberg & Himeville
Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Goedetrou Dam, near Eshowe
Barbel, KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly) & Redbreast Tilapia

Hazelmere Dam, near Verulam, Durban
Carp, Redbreast Tilapia & Mozambique Tilapia

Inanda Dam, Outer West, Durban
Largemouth Bass, Carp & Mozambique Tilapia

Klipfontein Dam, Vryheid
Bluegill & KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly

Midmar Dam, Howick
Largemouth Bass, Carp, Barbel, KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly), Redbreast Tilapia & Mozambique Tilapia

Upper reaches of Mooi , Mzimkulu and Pholela Rivers, near towns of Mooi River and Himeville
Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout

Nagle Resources Reserve
Carp & Largemouth Bass

Pongolapoort Dam
Tiger fish

Spioenkop Dam, near Winterton
Carp, KwaZulu-Natal Yellow Fish (Scaly) & Bluegill

Wagendrift Nature Reserve, Estcourt
Bluegill, Largemouth Bass & Carp

Salt water fishing, either from the shore or deep sea, offers an entirely different experience. Fish in the surf, from the beach piers or from a deep sea fishing boat and test your wits against the stumpnose, kob, shad, blacktail, garrick, sharks, baracuda, pompano, karanteen - the variety is almost endless. The KZNTA database suggests 170 possible sites to catch something for the pan - or the record books.

For those who enjoy a more fact to face experience with their fish, there are a number of spear fishing sites off the coast. For all fishing excursions, be sure to have the correct, up to date permit.

Msinsi Holdings has a series of useful pages on bass and carp fishing in the following dams:
- Albert Falls
- Hazelmere
- Inanda
- Nagle
- Shongweni

zoom Fishing at False Bay Photo: Uthungulu District Municipality

Please note that you have to have a fishing permit to fish on the coast or at inland reserves in KwaZulu-Natal. Inland permits can be obtained from KZN Wildlife or Msinsi Holding Offices.

All sea life along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is protected, and permits are required for fishing (surf and deep sea) or for removing crayfish, mussels, octopus, oysters, sea lice and mudprawns.Permits are obtainable from any post office, or from the KZN Wildlife offices Permits for mussels, mudprawns, sea lice, octopus and oysters are only obtainable from KZN Wildlife offices.

Crayfish season is from 1st March to 31st October. Shad may not be kept if caught from 1 September to 30 November each year. Galjoen may not be kept if caught from 15 October to 22 November each year. No person may sell, or offer for sale, any fish without a permit issued by the Dept of Sea Fisheries.

Enquiries: Durban Marine Permits Office, Tel: 031-205 5278.

For more information on fishing venues in KwaZulu-Natal please search our fishing database or complete a query form. You will also find the following section on fishing in the Drakensberg and the section on tiger fishing on the Elephant Coast website useful. The website fishingresource.com is also useful.

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