Freshwater Fishing and Conservation in the Western Cape
The Fynbos Fish Revival is a conservation initiative aimed at protecting South Africa’s unique and highly threatened freshwater fish species. By restoring rivers in the Cape Floristic Region, removing invasive species, and working with local communities, the project ensures that both biodiversity and people benefit from healthy freshwater ecosystems. The initiative is focused on improving the conservation status of the region’s 10 most threatened freshwater fish species by 2035.
Freshwater fish are the most threatened species group in South Africa, and the Western Cape is at the epicentre of this emergency. The province has a higher proportion of threatened endemic freshwater fish than anywhere else in the country — and possibly on the continent.
Common Freshwater Fish in the Western Cape
Anglers in the Western Cape can catch a variety of freshwater fish species. These include:
- sharptooth Catfish
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Mozambique tilapia
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Mullet
- Mirror carp
- Whitefish
See our illustrated guide.
Popular Freshwater Fishing Locations
Here are some of the main places where the public can fish in the Western Cape, along with the species commonly found there:
- Brandvlei Dam: carp, whitefish
- Rietvlei: carp, Mozambique tilapia
- Lakenvlei: rainbow trout
- Misverstand Dam: carp, largemouth and smallmouth bass, Mozambique tilapia
- Sandvlei: carp, Mozambique tilapia, sharptooth catfish, mullet
- Theewaterskloof Dam: largemouth bass, carp, sharptooth catfish
- Vöelvlei: carp, sharptooth catfish
- Zeekoevlei: carp, Mozambique tilapia, sharptooth catfish
- Berg River: Above Franschhoek: rainbow trout, Above Paarl: smallmouth bass, carp Remainder: carp, Mozambique tilapia, sharptooth catfish, smallmouth bass
- Breede River: Mountain streams (e.g., Elandsplaat, Holsloot, Molenaars rivers): rainbow trout Upper Witte River: brown trout, Lower sections: carp, smallmouth bass, catfish, some whitefish
- Eerste and Lourens Rivers: Upper sections above Stellenbosch and Somerset West: rainbow trout. Middle and lower sections: carp
- Liesbeek River: lower reaches contain large numbers of carp and sharptooth catfish
Licence application with Cape Nature HERE
Key Conservation Message
By supporting sustainable fishing practices and respecting freshwater habitats, anglers contribute to the long-term survival of threatened species. Initiatives like the Fynbos Fish Revival are vital for maintaining healthy river ecosystems while ensuring that future generations can enjoy fishing in the Western Cape.
