The Hartbeespoort Dam is one of the most well-known and popular tourist destinations in South Africa. Located in the North West province, about 30km outside Gauteng, this dam attracts thousands of anglers and water sports enthusiasts every year. Known for its big public waters and carp fishing, the Hartbeespoort Dam is a destination that should not be missed by any fishing enthusiast visiting South Africa.
The Hartbeespoort Dam is stocked with a variety of fish species, including Tilapia, Bass, Carp, Yellowfish and Catfish. The dam is open for fishing all year round, but the best time to fish is generally in the early morning or late evening when the water is cooler. The dam is also a popular spot for water sports like boating, jet skiing and sailing.
When fishing at the Hartbeespoort Dam, anglers should first look for fish activity on the water and then locate underwater features. These features can vary in depth and distance from the shore, but are known to be where carp like to congregate. For example, at Schoemansville you will need to go out around 250 – 400 meters at 5 – 8m depth. Kommando Nek in some areas around 150m- 200m in 6 – 8m depth. 7-8 meter depth seems to be a good depth when fishing out in open water. At Ifafi you need to get close to the cable or any anchored yachts will be a great place to drop your rig. In some spots you will find very steep drop off right in front of you and thats always a winner as well. When fishing in Kosmos you will find very steep banks right in front of you so no need to go far out at all. Sometimes dropping a rig 5 meters fron the bank will prove very productive. The jetty’s in Kosmos are hot spots to target.
Mielies and oily particles like hemp and maples make for good bait, and hookbaits such as Kaboem stringers, Banana tigers, and sweet fruity popups have also proven successful. In the winter, larger boilies can also be effective. Tigernuts are always a good idea and in some cases (especially in winter) you can do very well on boilies as well. For hookbaits that worked for us: Kaboem stringers, Banana tigers / mielies topped with a bright fake maize or popup Fruity popups and good flavours to use are pineapple, peach, banana and any sweet fruity flavour have worked well for us. In winter don’t be scared to go for a big fishy Boilie (24mm +) topped with something white. Feeding crushed bolies over a big hookbait worked really well against the structures as well.
The Hartbeespoort Dam is also known to have large amounts of hyacinths which has affected the fishing massively for the past few years and is still a huge challenge at the moment. It is important to check the local fishing regulations before heading out, as certain species may have catch limits or closed seasons. Additionally, a valid fishing permit is required to fish in the dam.
It is important to note that the Hartbeespoort Dam is not considered a safe fishing destination, so anglers should be alert and take precautions. Some resorts like Kommando Nek have upped their security which helps but it seems that the thieves strike from the water side so keep that in mind when you visit Harties. If you ever come across a gill net in the water please remove it and burn it on the spot. There are hundreds of gill nets that are killing the kurper population and causing major damage
Yellowfish Fishing at the Hartbeespoort Dam
Yellowfish, also known as yellowtail or yellowtail yellowfish, are a popular game fish species found in the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. These fish are part of the Labeobarbus genus, which includes several different species of yellowfish found in Southern Africa. Yellowfish are known for their hard-fighting abilities and are a prized catch for many anglers.
In the Hartbeespoort Dam, yellowfish can be found in a variety of different habitats including shallow rocky areas, pools, and backwaters. They are typically found in areas with moderate to fast-flowing water and can be caught using various methods including fly-fishing, spin fishing, and bait fishing. They are also known to be caught in deeper waters, around 7-8 meters depth.
Yellowfish are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of different bait including worms, insects, and small crustaceans. Anglers fishing for yellowfish in the Hartbeespoort Dam should consider using baits that mimic these natural food sources, such as worms, crickets, and small minnows. They also respond well to flies that mimic nymphs, beetles and other insects they find in the dam.
Yellowfish are known to be particularly active in the early morning and late evening when the water is cooler, making this an ideal time to fish for them. Anglers fishing for yellowfish in the Hartbeespoort Dam should also be aware that they are known to be quite strong fighters, so it’s important to use a rod and reel that is appropriate for their size and strength.
In terms of size, Yellowfish can grow to a good size, with some reaching over 40cm, although the average size caught in the dam is around 30cm. They are known to be hard fighters, and put up a good fight when hooked.
Carb Fishing at the Hartbeespoort Dam
Carp fishing is a popular angling activity at the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. Carp are a hard-fighting fish species that are known for their agility and strength. The Hartbeespoort Dam is home to large schools of carp, with some reaching up to 22kg. While common carp are the most commonly caught, the occasional mirror carp is also caught.
Carp can be found in a variety of different habitats in the Hartbeespoort Dam, including shallow rocky areas, pools, and backwaters. They are typically found in areas with moderate to fast-flowing water and can be caught using various methods including fly-fishing, spin fishing, and bait fishing. They are also known to be caught in deeper waters, around 7-8 meters depth.
Carp are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of different bait including worms, insects, and small crustaceans. Anglers fishing for carp in the Hartbeespoort Dam should consider using baits that mimic these natural food sources, such as worms, crickets, and small minnows. They also respond well to boilies, particles, and sweetcorn, these are known to be very effective in catching carp.
Carp are known to be particularly active in the early morning and late evening when the water is cooler, making this an ideal time to fish for them. Anglers fishing for carp in the Hartbeespoort Dam should also be aware that they are known to be quite strong fighters, so it’s important to use a rod and reel that is appropriate for their size and strength.
In terms of size, carp can grow to a good size, with some reaching over 40cm, although the average size caught in the dam is around 30cm. They are known to be hard fighters, and put up a good fight when hooked.
Bass Fishing at the Hartbeespoort Dam
Bass fishing is a popular sport at the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. Bass, also known as largemouth bass, is a freshwater fish species known for its agility and strength. They are known for their hard fighting abilities and are a prized catch for many anglers.
In the Hartbeespoort Dam, bass can be found in a variety of different habitats including shallow rocky areas, pools, and backwaters. They are typically found in areas with moderate to fast-flowing water, and can be caught using various methods including fly-fishing, spin fishing, and bait fishing. They are also known to be caught in deeper waters, around 7-8 meters depth.
Bass are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of different baits including worms, insects, and small crustaceans. Anglers fishing for bass in the Hartbeespoort Dam should consider using baits that mimic these natural food sources, such as worms, crickets, and small minnows. They also respond well to artificial lures such as soft plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs.
Bass are known to be particularly active in the early morning and late evening when the water is cooler, making this an ideal time to fish for them. Anglers fishing for bass in the Hartbeespoort Dam should also be aware that they are known to be quite strong fighters, so it’s important to use a rod and reel that is appropriate for their size and strength.
In terms of size, Bass can grow to a good size, with some reaching over 50cm, although the average size caught in the dam is around 30cm. They are known to be hard fighters, and put up a good fight when hooked.
The Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding area offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy beyond fishing.
- Boating:
The Hartbeespoort Dam is a popular spot for boating, with many visitors bringing their own boats or renting boats from local marinas. Visitors can enjoy a variety of boating activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. - Hiking and trail running:
The surrounding area offers a variety of hiking trails, perfect for visitors who want to explore the natural beauty of the area. The Magaliesberg mountain range is a popular spot for hiking and trail running, offering visitors spectacular views of the dam and surrounding area. - Picnicking:
The Hartbeespoort Dam offers several picnic areas where visitors can enjoy a leisurely lunch or snack while taking in the beautiful scenery. - Golfing:
The Hartbeespoort Dam area is home to several golf courses, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf while taking in the beautiful views. - Hot Air Ballooning:
The Hartbeespoort Dam offers several hot air ballooning companies that offer scenic flights over the dam and surrounding area. - Cableway rides:
The Hartbeespoort Dam Cableway offers visitors the opportunity to take a scenic ride to the top of the Magaliesberg mountain range, offering panoramic views of the dam and surrounding area. - Visit the Crocodile and Snake Park:
The Hartbeespoort Dam area is home to the Crocodile and Snake Park, which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and see a variety of crocodiles and snakes. - Visit the Hartbeespoort Dam Aquarium:
The Hartbeespoort Dam Aquarium is a popular spot for visitors, offering the opportunity to see a variety of fish and other aquatic life found in the dam. - Visit the Hartbeespoort Dam Art and Crafts Market:
The Hartbeespoort Dam Art and Crafts Market offers visitors the opportunity to browse and purchase a variety of locally made crafts and art. - Visit the Hartbeespoort Dam Cheese Factory:
The Hartbeespoort Dam Cheese Factory offers visitors the opportunity to taste and purchase a variety of locally made cheeses.
These are just a few examples of the many activities that are available to visitors in the Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding area. Visitors can also find a variety of other activities such as horse riding, visiting local wineries, and more.
