Written by: Willem Lombard
We all know the cost of living is rising, and it is getting harder to take that well-deserved break and go somewhere to relax and unwind. The good news is that you do not have to drive hundreds of kilometers to find a place where you can relax and connect with nature.
Pretoria has several fantastic fishing spots where you can take the family for a weekend getaway or vacation, camp next to a dam and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature while fishing. And you do not have to be an experienced angler to enjoy fishing at some of the best fishing spots in Pretoria.
Rietvlei Dam
According to local anglers, Rietvlei Dam is a family-friendly place where you can take the kids for their first fishing experience. It can be a bit challenging to fish for carp, and you will have to put in some work and be patient. It might therefore be more rewarding for your more-experienced anglers to fish. Beginners will, however, find it easier to fish for bass in the spring.
Spring and Summer are the best seasons for carp fishing, while Spring is the best time for bass fishing. Winter fishing is quite tough and slow, but still possible.
Visit Anglinks`s website to get more detailed information about Rietvlei Dam, or phone them on 012 480 9944 or 012 358 1819, or send them an email on [email protected]. They have a lot of useful information about Rietvlei Dam.
Wonderland 45
Local anglers absolutely love Wonderland 45. It is an excellent fishing spot for both novice and experienced anglers, and the perfect place for your first fishing experience.
In Winter, from May to September, you can look forward to fishing for rainbow, golden, brown, and red trout. Carp is available all year, and in Summer you can look forward to catching bass and catfish.
Wonderland 45 has camping facilities, eight dams of various sizes, picnic facilities for day visitors, and so much more. You can find out more on their Facebook page or phone them on 081 878 5891. They are situated on Plot 45 Tweedraght on Boschkop Road, Boschkop East, Pretoria.
Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary
Situated on 64 Innes Road, Lynnwood Glen, Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary is very close to Menlyn Mall and offers a safe and peaceful environment for fishing. The dam holds carp, barbel, bass, kurper, banded tilapia, and sharptooth catfish.
Anglers especially mention catching huge carp of around 10-12 kg, and barbel of around 6.5 kg. They also say that it is quite difficult to catch bass. The gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00, and local anglers suggest that you arrive very early as there are only six to seven designated areas on the south-eastern banks.
For some more in-depth information, visit CarpSA or phone 012 358 1510.
Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve
Many local anglers describe fishing at Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve as being “tricky” but rewarding. This might therefore be more rewarding for the more experienced anglers. You have to work hard to find active fish, but when they bite, you can land 10 to 20 fish in a single afternoon.
Anglers can expect to catch carp, barbel, bass, and kurper. Summer (October to March) will be the best time to fish for carp and barbel, while Winter and Spring can be very quiet. Most anglers wait until the second week of October for better results.
More information about Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve is available on Facebook or here.
Dinokeng Waterfront Estate
Previously, we have written about Dinokeng Waterfront Estate on our website, but we have not explored it from an angler`s view yet. You might know them by their original name: Cast & Catch Fishing & Camping, and they are situated on the north-eastern banks of Roodeplaat Dam.
Highly regarded by local anglers for its clean facilities and waterfront camping, you can expect to find carp, barbel, kurper and yellowfish, but please keep in mind that there is a strict catch-and-release policy in place. The best times for fishing are early mornings and late afternoons when carp and barbel are swimming closer to the banks during their peak feeding times.
Fishing is especially good during December after the first heavy summer rains. And if you are looking for the best fishing spot during Winter, you can expect impressive carp catches. You can find more information on Facebook or by phone, 083 460 7070.
