Any country that borders two oceans is sure to be an angler’s paradise. But nothing quite compares to fishing in South Africa. This vast country offers up a continent’s worth of fishing opportunities. Not only can you hook monster offshore species in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, but there are numerous bays and coral reefs that span the almost 3,000 km coast.
And that’s before we even touch on the freshwater fishing you can do here. Hit the numerous mountain streams for trophy-sized Trout. Explore the vast lakes that resemble the sea themselves. Or hit up any of the rivers and reservoirs that are stocked full of prized fish. Wherever you are in South Africa, you’re not far from an exciting adventure with a rod and reel.
Where to Go Fishing in South Africa
So, enough of the hyperbole. How about we dive into the real details? In this section, we’ll cover the top areas for casting your line in, and find out what species you can catch. Settle in, ‘cause there’s a wealth of information coming your way!
Fly Fishing in South Africa
We mentioned that there’s plenty of freshwater action, but you still may not believe quite how good it is. We’ll start with the fly fishing grounds, which are up there with the best in the world. If you’re looking for Trout – Rainbow and Brown varieties! – this is the way to go about it.
In Mpumalanga province, you’ll find a real angling haven near the town of Dullstroom. The whole area is built around the fly fishing industry, with numerous lodges especially for anglers. High up in the mountains, you’ll be a world away from life’s troubles. There’s almost an autumnal feel year-round along the stunning misty creeks and rivers.
Head a short drive across to the Eastern Cape, and you won’t be able to move for all the fly action. The town of Rhodes is situated along an incredible stretch of Trout streams, with hundreds of kilometres of productive fishing grounds at its mercy. The Drakensberg area near the border with Lesotho and Somerset East are also great spots. Here, Trout and Yellowfish grow to impressive sizes.
Don’t worry though, it’s not all about the east of South Africa when it comes to fly fishing. Stellenbosch and the Cape Fold Belt mountains in the Western Cape and the Vaal River in Gauteng are also good starting points.
Wherever you go, you’ll want to avoid winter to have the best chance of landing a Trout. September and October, and March to May are the best periods coming at the start and end of the season. Summer is reserved for spending long hours casting your line.
Bass Fishing in South Africa
Of course, no freshwater fishing guide would be complete without mentioning that worldwide favourite: Bass. Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass are common across South Africa, with plenty of stunning bodies of water chock-full of them.
Now, we have to mention that there is a debate raging in South Africa as to the value of Bass. Many conservationists believe that they are invasive creatures that are harmful to the ecosystem. This is especially true in the Western Cape, where the Smallmouth Bass has effectively wiped out some indigenous fish species in the rivers. This is where you can land as many as you want and take them home with you!
Elsewhere, try your luck in the Berg, Breede, and Liesbeek Rivers in spring or autumn. If you want to fish in summer, get out early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Whenever you come, try to cast your line around structure, where these creatures love to congregate.
For catch and release action plus the chance of landing a trophy, you’ll want to explore dams and lakes where these creatures do less damage. The Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape is the only place where you can find all three Bass species. Meanwhile, Ebenezer Dam in Limpopo and Roodekopjes Dam in the northwest are popular spots.
If you’re looking for that picture-perfect setting, it doesn’t get much better than Albert Falls and Inanda Dam in KwaZulu-Natal. Not only will you be left breathless by the stunning scenery, but you’ll also be made to work hard to land some of the biggest Bass in South Africa
Other Freshwater Fishing in South Africa
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s plenty more in the way of freshwater fishing in South Africa. Catfish, Carp, Whitefish, and Tilapia (known as Blue Kurper locally) are all possible catches in the rivers and lakes across the country.
In the Western Cape, hit up the Misverstand Dam, Zandvlei and Zeekoevlei Lakes, and Berg River for the chance of a mixed bag. In Gauteng, you can escape the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria by exploring such bodies of water as Aston Lake, Bajadam, and the aptly-named Yellowfish Paradise. There’s also the Rietvlei, giving you the chance to land everything from Bass to Catfish to Tilapia.
In Limpopo and the Free State, you’ll be looking at private lakes, although Kalkfontein Dam in Bloemfontein is also popular with locals. Meanwhile, Grootdraai and Loskop Dams are the prime fishing grounds in Mpumalanga. If you’re in the Western or Northern Capes, chances are you’ll be looking for saltwater action. But you shouldn’t miss out on Stompdrift and Clanwilliam Dams in the former.
Saltwater Fishing in South Africa
So we mentioned that if you’re on one of the capes, you’ll want to cast your line in the ocean. But we haven’t let you in on the best bit yet! You can find 15% of all the world’s marine species in South Africa, meaning serious action and incredible rewards wherever you go.
On the east coast, Durban’s deepwater port is the starting point for many a voyage, and for good reason too. The coral reefs stretch out for miles and miles, attracting pelagics right up close to shore. In Port Shepstone, even the drop is less than 10 kilometres away, so get ready for Sailfish, Blue and Black Marlin, and a whole host of Kingfish, Queenfish, Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi. It doesn’t often get better than that!
Head to the west coast, and it’s all about nearshore action. The current running past towards the meeting point of the oceans means the pelagics are a long way out, although you may see the occasional Tuna. However, that doesn’t matter when the list of light tackle targets is as good as it is. Go after local favourites such as Kob, Elf, Yellowtail Amberjack, and Snoek. These are all household names across the country, so come and see for yourself why!
Speaking of the current, it’s exactly that that makes the fishing on the south coast so special. As the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, there’s a whole world of underwater creatures that come into contact. Take a trip out of any of the Southern Cape’s oceanside towns or cities and you could encounter with three kinds of Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Black and Striped Marlin.
And there’s more! Cape Town is the real jewel in South Africa’s fishing crown. Take advantage of incredible inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing as you go after all the A-listers along with Yellowtail Amberjack, Kob, Red Steenbras, Garrick, Sharks, and more in False Bay and beyond.
South Africa Fishing Seasons
You know that Trout fishing is best at the beginning and end of the season – which runs from September to the end of May – but what about other species? The good news is that there’s something biting year-round in at least one of South Africa’s fisheries. That being said, things can die down a little across the country in winter. At that point, you’ll want to get out early and use all the tricks you have to attract a bite.
When it comes to Bass and Carp fishing, it’s always possible, you’ll just need to explore the waters differently depending on the season and time of day. In summer, these creatures are popular targets, with topwater fishing all day possible in any lake. However, March, April, and May represent the best Bass season, as they enter their spawning season. Meanwhile, Carp can keep you going throughout winter.
Catch and release is advised on many Bass and Carp, unless you’re in the Western Cape, where the former is considered invasive. You should also pay attention to any closed seasons, especially on private lakes, where information may be harder to come by online.
As for saltwater fishing, it all depends from which cape you’re heading out. Summer is the best time of year wherever you are, but it’s early summer that steals the show in the south, while December through March is best on the Eastern Cape. Make the most of both, and you could be reeling in Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Billfish all summer long!
That being said, there’s always something biting offshore, with Durban offering up Yellowfin Tuna action even in winter! And the inshore and nearshore fishing never stops, with at least one of Kob, Geelbek, Snoek, Elf, Steenbras, Yellowtail Amberjack, or something else showing up.
South Africa Fishing Regulations
While we’ve mentioned that regulations may vary in private fishing grounds, there are some nationwide rules you’ll need to follow. Any angler over the age of 6 needs a licence to fish in freshwater and, if you’re over 12, you’ll need one for saltwater. These are separate licences, despite the similar prices. You can purchase them from any Post Office in South Africa, along with all other permits, and you can find the price list here.
Concerning bag and size limits, a good rule of thumb is 10 fish per person in saltwater. However, this can be confused by the fact that many fish have a smaller limit. We suggest you check the South African Game Reserves Fishing website for the latest information.
That being said, there are some rules that we don’t expect to change any time soon. They include the restriction on keeping any Billfish and Mahi Mahi, while Red Steenbras have a closed season.
In freshwater, regulations vary from province to province, making it a little more tricky to keep up-to-date with what’s needed. You should consult with your province’s environmental department for the latest information or, alternatively, book with a reputable guide who’ll be in the know of all the rules and regulations.
How to Go Fishing in South Africa
Before you start booking your South African fishing adventure, we just have a few tips to help you make sure you get the most out of your trip. As we mentioned, heading out with a reputable guide can be a massive help but that’s not the only way you can enjoy the incredible angling action here.
On Foot Fishing
If you’re going fly fishing or even heading to a public lake, it’s most likely that you’ll at least give fishing on-foot a go. And why not? In the Trout streams, especially, it’s part of the fun! Explore nature at its finest as you escape from all of life’s worries and immerse yourself in the fine fishing action that surrounds you. If you’re high up in the mountains, make sure to wrap up warm, as it can get a little chilly.
It’s not only freshwater fishing that’s possible on foot, though. Fishing from shore first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon can yield great results, especially near estuaries and bays. Wherever you are, bring your fly fishing gear or some light tackle, and you’re sure to work up a sweat to land anything from Trout to Bass, to Kob and Snoek!
Kayak Fishing
Every fishing destination worth its salt – well, ones with calm enough waters anyway – have cottoned on to the riches of kayak fishing. South Africa is no exception. All across the country, you can find guides and outfitters ready to set you up for a thrilling day exploring the waters in a back-to-basics kind of way and reeling in fish at the same time.
Take a course to familiarise yourself with the basics, head out with a guide or choose to go out on your own – there’s something for everyone here. From the vast lakes to the dams, all the way out to the bays, you can explore them all on a kayak, with light tackle and trolling equipment possible for all your angling needs. Just make sure that you’re ready for a challenge!
Freshwater Fishing Guides
We mentioned that heading out with a guide can be of help, and that’s seriously the case in freshwater. With fishing regulations varying from province to province, you may have a hard time keeping up with what’s required of you. That’s where a guide comes in handy.
But that’s not all. An experienced professional will know all the best spots and tricks of the trade to help you reel in your dream catch. On some of the bigger bodies of water, guides will often have a boat that takes you out to the heart of the lake or river. That means you can get on top of fish even when it’s not possible from shore. And when it comes to Trout fishing, well.. Who better to head out with than a local expert?
Saltwater Fishing Charters
Much as with freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing guides in South Africa will share their wealth of experience with you. If you’re a beginner, a professional captain will be only too happy to teach you the ropes. Meanwhile, experienced anglers can share their knowledge with the guide, and put your skills to the test.
You’ll need a fishing charter to reach the offshore honey holes, that’s needless to say. But there are so many charters that offer inshore and nearshore trips too, that you should make it count. With their experience, top-of-the-line gear, live bait, and purpose-built boats, saltwater charters represent the creme-de-la-creme of fishing in South Africa.
You’re Ready – A Whole World Awaits!
So that concludes our guide to fishing in South Africa. We hope you now see why we think it’s so special, and why we encourage you to get out and make the most of it. If you’re a beginner looking to see what all the fuss is about, or a pro angler hoping to land that monster catch, there are few places better than South Africa. Try anything from the mountain streams to the deep waters offshore, and you’re in for a treat!
Now over to you! Have you ever been fishing in South Africa? How was it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
