grootdraai dam

Grootdraai Dam is situated in the upper reaches of the Vaal River less than 10km upstream of Standerton. It has a catchment area of 8 195km2, a mean annual precipitation of approximately 750mm, a mean annual potential evaporation at the dam site of 1 400mm and a natural inflow of 580 million m3/a. The full supply capacity of the reservoir is 364 million m3, making it a 0.7 MAR dam.

Grootdraai Dam is a composite structure comprising a central concrete gravity section 360m long and two earthfill flanks giving a total crest length of 2 180m and a maximum wall height of 42m above lowest foundation level. The dam was completed in 1982 and was built primarily to support the water needs of the SASOL I, II and III coal to petrol plants at Secunda, ESKOM's, Tutuka Power Station as well as the Matla, Duvha, Kendal and Kriel power stations located on the coal fields in the adjacent Olifants River basin.

Standerton Boat and Angling Club
Location: Grootdraai Dam
Tel: +27 (0)17 712 4364
Cell: +27 (0)82 720 6994
Standerton Boat and Angling club also has caravan and tented sites. This park is siutated at the Grootdraai Dam just outside Standerton. Day visits to Standerton Angling & Boat Club with its facilities at Grootdraai Dam can be arranged. You can either go fishing at the Dam or the Vaal river. If you are prepared to drive a mere 78km from Standerton you will be able to watch some of the Big Five species of Africa like Lions or Buffalo. Standerton has a Golf-Course which is +- 2.5km from our Guest House

we went there just for the day and it had been raining for two weeks before.We got there and sat on the municipality side just as you enter the camping area.we caught a couple of modderbekkies and then the big carp started biting.we used banana floaties and it worked.Bloekom dips also worked but try what you like you might just get lucky.The dam is also known for really big bass so if you like catching a predator go for it.

witbank dam

Witbank Dam is a very popular fishing dam in the region and, although it is a reputedly difficult dam to fish, there are carp, mudfish and yellowfish here.

While no private vehicles are allowed into the Witbank Dam Reserve, a parking area near the gate provides 24 hour security. This provides peace of mind for day-visitors and overnight hikers to the reserve.

Witbank Dam is located a mere 120 km from Pretoria alongside the N4 highway making it very easily accesible for Gauteng residents, depsite the fact that it lies in the province of Mpumalanga.

The dam is home to some very decent Florida strain Largemouth Bass, in fact the previous South African record Largemouth Bass was caught in the dam in 1997 and weighed in at 6.045 kg almost 13 1/2 lbs). So while the average fish is in the 1 kg mark, 3 to 4 kg lunkers are regularly caught and the chances of catching a real monster are real.

The dam has excellent launching and accommodation facilities and security is of a high standard, making this a venue that should be on any Bass anglers itinerary. Surprisingly fishing pressure is not excessive on this very pleasant Bass fishing lake. Witbank is the venue for the annual Witbank Bass Classic, usually held in September of each year

accomadation in witbank(many more on the web)

Witbank Municipal Recreation Resort (013) 690 6911

Barham Bay
Location: Witbank dam in Mpumalanga
Internet: http://www.barhambay-lodge

crucian carp

The Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius)

is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish such as the common carp, or the smaller minnows. They inhabit lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe and Asia. The crucian is a medium-sized cyprinid, which rarely exceeds a weight of over 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). They usually have a dark green back, golden sides, and reddish fins, although other colour variations exist.

They are often caught as a sport fish: the British rod-caught record for largest crucian is four pounds, nine ounces, caught by Martin Bowler in a lake in southern England in 2003. There have been various bids for a breakage of this record since, but they have been passed off as the specimens have not been said to have been "true" crucians, but hybrids between the carp and one of its relatives, such as the goldfish, which are not native to the British Isles. In the Netherlands a typical crucian specimen of 54 cm, weighing 3 kg has been caught and photographed. Hybrids often exhibit hybrid vigour or heterosis, being much more adept at finding food and evading predators than either of their parents, and thus pose somewhat of a threat to the native carp population, and to other native aquatic animals.

These carp are also occasionally kept as freshwater aquarium fish, as well as in water gardens, although they are not commonly available commercially, mainly because they are not in particularly high demand due to the presence of more colourful fish such as the koi or orfe. However, they are one of the most important aquaculture species. In 2005 they were the species with the 10th highest production, globally (FAO 2005).

The variation in shape of a Crucian carp can be very high. The fish get an almost perfect disc shape with well rounded fins. If no predators like pike or perch are present, the Crucian carp will grow in length rather than height and the fish will be more slender looking. The growth in height will make it difficult for predators to swallow the crucian carp.

i am not to sure if these species are found in our dams but let me know if u have ever caught one

Common Carp

Common Carp
(Cyprinus carpio)




The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus) was first described in writing by fishing enthusiasts in the year 1758. This South African freshwater fish species is not indigenous to the rivers and dams of the country. The Common Carp originates from Europe and Asia and is closely related to the Goldfish and Koi fish species. The most well know and widely introduced fish in Southern Africa is arguably the Common Carp. It is a very popular angling species and puts up a very good fight. These fish can grow up to about 30 kilograms but the angling records are a lot bigger for the Common Carp; which are close to 40 kilograms. The Common Carp often lives in proximity with Barbel, Grass Carp and Blue Kurper in large dams and slow moving rivers, which is this fishes preferable habitat.

Common Carp are reported to of been introduced into South Africa in the 1700's. The Common Carp is an omnivorous fish and breeds in Spring and Summer. It is a very well valued aquaculture species whereas it is considered a pest by conservation authorities due to it's destructive feeding habits

I believe we have the common carp in most of our dams throughout the Highveld