Donaldson Dam



Donaldson Dam is a dam next to the township Bekkersdal along the Wonderfonteinspruit. It comprises 2 reservoirs - the Top lake and the Bottom lake. Its water has been heavily polluted by acid mine runoff on the upper Wonderfonteinspruit and sewage from nearby Bekkersdal.
Despite the water quality concerns the dams remain popular fishing destinations amongst Carp anglers, the upper lake is one of the most renowned syndicate specimen angling destinations in South Africa.

Specimen Angling

Top Lake

The top lake is known alternatively as African Gold Syndicate Lake amongst specimen anglers and is situated on private property, bookings need to be made in order to fish there and syndicate members get preference over general public. The dam is known for monster carp, it's not unusual to catch fish around 25 kg. The top lakes record is 27.1 kg caught in 2016.

Bottom Lake

The bottom lake was a once-popular holiday destination, popular amongst families looking to spend the day out at the water, today the facilities are neglected and run down. The dam is now run by the government and is kept neat and relatively maintained. The dam is also popular amongst specimen anglers as well as conventional anglers and bass anglers alike. The bottom lake is government run so it is open to all public without preference to syndicate members unlike the top lake. Common Carp varieties caught at the dam include mirror carp, leather carp, ghost carp, Israeli carp and koi, other species available at the dam include Sharptooth Catfish, Moggel, Orange River Mudfish, Banded Tilapia, Southern Mouthbrooder, Threespot Barb, Straightfin Barb, Largemouth Bass and Western Mosquitofish.
SpeciesCommon NameSizeYear
Cyprinus CarpioCommon Carp28.3 kg1991
Clarias GariepinusSharptooth Catfish20.2 kg1994
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth Bass3.8 kg2017