Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga highveld
Gauteng and the Highveld
The water
Warm, often green water in summer. Wind and rain change visibility quickly.
The banks
Grassy and rocky banks, jetties and public picnic areas. Access and permits vary by dam, and some banks are private.
Gear note
A bass setup, a 12 ft carp rod and a medium spinning rod will cover most waters here.
Check a setup in the builderWell-known waters
- Hartbeespoort Dam
- Bronkhorstspruit Dam
- Rietvlei Dam
- Roodeplaat Dam
Permits, access and rules differ by water. Check with the owner or managing body.
Season
Warm months bring the most activity. Winter mornings can be slow, and cold fronts shut fish down for a day or two.
The fish
Often targeted here
Common carp
A strong, wary bottom feeder and the centre of a whole style of long-session bait fishing.
Largemouth bass
An ambush predator that hits lures hard around weed, trees and drop-offs. The reason most people buy a baitcaster.
Sharptooth barbel
A big, tough, mostly nocturnal catfish found in almost every freshwater system.
Kurper
The friendly everyday dam fish: easy to catch, good fun on light tackle.
Also mentioned: Grass carp in some dams, Yellowfish in some rivers.
Season at a glance
Compare with similar regions
| Region | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng and the Highveld | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| Vaal and the Free State | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| KwaZulu-Natal Midlands | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| Western Cape dams and rivers | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
| Lowveld and Limpopo | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Quieter | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good | Usually good |
Dark circles are the months anglers usually rate highest. This is general guidance, not a forecast: seasons shift with the water temperature and the weather.
Before you fish
Fishing in South Africa has rules: sea fishing needs a recreational permit, and dams, rivers and clubs set their own permits, bait rules and limits. Check current regulations with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment or the owner of the water before you fish. Rules change and this site is not an official source.