Doornkop Fish and Wildlife Reserve is a paradise for anglers and nature enthusiasts, but it’s also a place deeply committed to conservation. At the core of Doornkop’s approach to fishing is its strict catch-and-release policy, designed to protect fish populations while ensuring that visitors can enjoy world-class fishing in the reserve’s pristine waters. For anyone passionate about the environment or the art of angling, embracing this practice is key to maintaining the reserve’s rich biodiversity.
Why Catch and Release Matters at Doornkop
Doornkop’s policy is all about ensuring that future generations of anglers can enjoy the same exciting experiences. The reserve is home to species like rainbow trout, brown trout, yellowfish, and bass. Bass is not indigenous and predatory to young trout and yellowfish. If a bass is caught, please remove it from the dams to protect our fish populations. While yellowfish is especially susceptible to overfishing, the catch-and-release method helps keep populations healthy, ensuring there’s always a robust number of fish to challenge anglers. This rule for catching yellowfish applies to all rivers and dams, yellowfish must be released. We do stock rainbow and brown trout during the cooler months from April to September. Catch and keep is permitted for rainbow and brown trout at designated dams at R200-00 per kg. If a fish is caught to be released and the fish dies, the R 200-00 per kg cost will still apply. It is imperative to ensure that any fish caught must be properly handled.
How to Practice Proper Catch and Release
Proper technique is crucial when it comes to releasing fish, as it significantly impacts the fish’s chances of survival. Here’s how you can do your part:
- Wet and wash your hands in the dam first: Before touching the fish, make sure your hands are thoroughly wet and clean. This prevents the removal of the fish’s protective slime, which shields it from infections and other harm. If possible, do not take the fish from the net inside the water when removing the hook as it increases its chances of survival.
- Restrain Gently: Turn the fish upside down to calm it. This reduces the fish’s stress and makes it easier to remove the hook without causing injury.
- Careful Hook Removal: Remove the hook carefully to avoid tearing the fish’s mouth. Barbless hooks always apply, as they’re easier to remove and cause less damage. If the hook is swallowed deep inside the fish, do not attempt to remove it. Rather cut the line as close as possible to the hook, it will dislodge by itself in time without damaging organs.
- Reviving the Fish: After removing the hook, hold the fish upright in the water. Gently move it backward and forward, allowing water to flow over its gills to oxygenate them. Depending on how long the fish was fighting, some time might pass before it is strong enough to take off. This step is crucial to ensure the fish is fully revived before it swims away.
- Monitor the Fish’s Response: If the fish doesn’t revive and repeatedly turns belly-up, it means it’s too stressed to survive. In this case, take it to the cleaning station to be weighed and recorded on your permit for payment per kg.
By following these steps, you’re helping ensure the fish’s health and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the reserve’s fish populations.
Key Rules to Remember at Doornkop
The reserve has specific guidelines in place to protect its aquatic ecosystem and ensure a great fishing experience for all visitors. In addition to the catch-and-release policy for Dams 1-4 & 9-10, here are some other important rules to keep in mind:
- No Quotas in Catch-and-Release Dams: Unlike other areas, there are no quotas when fishing in these specific dams. The R200/kg fee applies for any fish kept.
- Bass Must Not Be Returned to the Water: Bass can wreak havoc on the balance of the ecosystem, so any bass caught should be kept or handed over to the Bailiffs. Under no circumstances should they be returned to the water.
- Handling Fish Carefully: Anglers should always prioritize the health of the fish by using the recommended techniques for catch and release, reducing stress and injury.
Why the Catch and Release Policy Benefits Everyone
Catch and release is not just a rule, it’s a philosophy that ensures that fishing at Doornkop remains a sustainable and enjoyable activity. By releasing fish back into the water, you’re allowing them to grow and breed, contributing to a cycle that keeps the ecosystem thriving. In return, you’ll experience the thrill of catching larger, stronger fish on your future visits.
It also supports a broader effort of conservation that goes beyond Doornkop, setting a standard for sustainable fishing practices throughout South Africa. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, adopting this method is a way to engage with nature responsibly while still enjoying all the excitement fishing has to offer.
