Craigie Burn Nature Reserve

Fishing in the Natal Midlands

Just on the other side of Route 622, which links Mooi River with Greytown, from the Karkloof Nature Reserve you will find Craigie Burn Nature Reserve and Dam. The dam is touted as a beautiful fishing spot in the midst of dairy and stock farming country just north of the Midlands Meander.

Craigie Burn dam is one of few dams in Kwazulu Natal where one can find a healthy supply of smallmouth and largemouth bass. Up until now Craigie Burn has persisted as one of the 'secrets' of the area remaining pretty undisturbed by boats, possibly because the dam is essentially a grass dam covered in aquatic grass beds, and frequented by few enough fishermen, who head out here from Mooi River over weekends, not to spoil the experience of the 'great outdoors' that makes the nature reserve the haven that it is.

One can fish from the banks of the dam, so it is not essential to have a boat, and a rather steep rocky bank to the left of the dam wall is said to be popular with the smallmouth bass, so if you're new to the reserve, and/or fishing, make a start here. The nature reserve has some lovely picnic spots and you can camp overnight.

Nearby Mooi River (pretty river) lies on the northern end of the Midlands Meander, definitely worth following if you are in the area.