When visiting the Lowveld, and while staying at our White River accommodation, it’s always great family fun to go fishing. The Lowveld is blessed with warm weather all year round so time spent outdoors is always a great way to enjoy the day.
Popular dams
Witklip, Klipkopje and Da Gama dam are all a stone’s throw from White River, on the Hazyview and Sabie roads leading out of the town.
Witkip Dam offers fishing from the banks or if you have a small motored boat or non-motorised boat, you can head out to the middle of the dam and sink your line. The surroundings of the dam are very tranquil offering complete peace and quiet to rejuvenate your soul. Non-fishing fiends can also come along to the dam and explore the area or go for a swim.
Da Gama Dam is found along the road leading from White River to Hazyview. Once again no power boats are allowed on the dam so there is minimal fishing disruption. Non- motorised boats are welcome and as are sailing boats. At Da Gama Dam they have a fleet of two man canoes, bass boats, peddle boats and rowing boats available to anglers. Da Gama Dam offers braai areas and secure parking for day visitors. A firm favourite of the locals is to embark on a Sundowner Cruise, after a day of fishing. For those in the family that don’t fish, there are plenty of areas to enjoy a walk or even go cycling.
Klipkoppie Dam is the closest to White River and it is a hive of water sport activity. The dam was built in 1960 and its primary purpose was for irrigation but over the years it has turned into place to have fun in the sun. At Klipkoppie Dam there is no restriction on the size of your motorised craft. Power boats and jet skis are also welcome. For the day visitor there are ablution blocks and also braai and picnic areas. Regardless of all the water sport at Klipkoppie, fishing is also part of the action to be enjoyed here. Lush in the summer months and warm all year round, Klipkoppie dam is another Lowveld favourite fishing spot.
Best catches and best time to fish
Bass are a popular fish to catch in the area. They were imported from the Netherlands in the 1920’s and have thrived in our dams. Mpumalanga has the highest number of bass in the country. Pre-spawn time in South Africa should be around August, but because of the Lowveld climate it is normally earlier.
September through to November in the Lowveld has generally got pre-dawn temperatures of 11 degrees Celsius and the temperature can easily rise to well over 30 degrees Celsius. This warm weather means that most of the fish in the dams will be spawning. After the winter phase, fish are now hungry and susceptible to bait. Imitation baits that are used with success at the Lowveld dams are Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits or Texas rigged creatures, lizards, frogs or crawfish. Staging females in deeper water can also be goaded with Carolinas, drop shot rigs or deep diving crankbaits.
