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Trout fingerlings for sale in eMakhazeni (Belfast)
eMakhazeni is one of the coldest, highest towns in South Africa, which makes it good trout country. We supply fingerlings and stocking advice to dams and venues around town.
- Fish health checked before every dispatch
- Stocking advice with every order
- You speak to the people who raise the fish
- Delivering to eMakhazeni
Fingerlings for one of the country's coldest towns
eMakhazeni, still called Belfast by most people, is one of the coldest and highest towns in South Africa, and it is known for excellent trout fishing conditions. Stillriver Trout breeds rainbow and brown trout a short way north of town near Dullstroom, in the same eMakhazeni municipality, and supplies fingerlings to farm dams, lodges and fishing venues in the area.
Cold country is not a guarantee, though. A high, cold town still has shallow dams that bake in a hot late-summer week. What makes a dam good for trout is the water it holds in its warmest month, not how cold the winter mornings are.
Venues that restock, and dams that are stocked once
Around eMakhazeni we see two kinds of buyer, and they need different advice.
Fishing venues and lodges
Venues restock as anglers take fish out. The risk is creep: a few extra fish each season until the water is carrying more than it can hold in summer. We suggest venues keep a simple log of fish stocked and fish removed. It makes each restocking decision easier and gives us something real to plan around with you.
Private farm dams
A family dam is often stocked once or twice and then left. That calls for fewer, better-sized fish and a stocking date in the cool months. Start with our stocking calculator, then message us with the result so we can check it against your dam's depth and inflow.
Our fingerlings page explains the species and sizes we sell.
What drives the price of a fingerling order
We do not publish a single price, because the number that matters is the cost of fish that survive. Ask for the current price list. What moves the total:
- Species. Rainbow and brown trout are priced separately.
- Size. Larger fingerlings cost more each but suit dams with predators or anglers who want to fish sooner.
- Numbers. Larger orders bring the cost per fish down, but only buy what your dam can carry.
- Delivery. Collection from the farm or delivery to your dam, and whether we can combine your order with another Highlands run.
Permits, and when we will say no
The national listing of rainbow and brown trout as invasive species was excluded from commencement until further notice (Notice 115 of 2021). In Mpumalanga, the MTPA has required permits to sell and stock live trout, except in dams not connected to rivers. Confirm what applies to your dam with the MTPA. More on stocking trout in dams.
If your dam is shallow, has no inflow and has lost fish before, we may tell you that trout are the wrong choice for it. That is not the answer anyone wants, but it is cheaper than a dam full of dead fish. Read why trout die in dams if you are not sure, then send us your details on WhatsApp.
Close to the farm, which helps
eMakhazeni and Dullstroom fall in the same local municipality, and our farm is a short trip from town. That closeness is useful in three ways. You can collect fish yourself and have them in your dam soon after they leave the raceway. You can visit the farm and see the batch before you buy, on a farm visit. And if something looks wrong in your dam after stocking, we can talk it through quickly and, where it makes sense, come and look.
Venues near town that want trout on the table as well as in the water can add fresh or smoked trout to an order. Anglers who want to try still water without the bother of stocking their own can book fly fishing at Stillriver instead.
When you are ready, send us your dam size, depth and water source on WhatsApp, with a photo if you can. We reply with a suggested species mix, numbers and a quote, and we will tell you plainly if we think your water is a poor bet for trout.
Questions from eMakhazeni dam owners and venues
Do you deliver trout fingerlings to eMakhazeni (Belfast)?
Yes. eMakhazeni is in our Highlands delivery area, and it is close to our farm near Dullstroom, which falls in the same municipality. Fingerlings travel bagged with oxygen. Send your dam size, depth and water source on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote and a delivery date.
Is a cold winter a problem for trout in my dam?
Cold water is what trout want. The risk for Highlands dams is the other end of the year, when a shallow dam warms up in late summer and oxygen drops. Depth and inflow matter far more than how cold the winters are. Our guide to trout deaths in dams explains why.
Can I restock a fishing venue every season?
Yes, many venues restock regularly as fish are caught. The trap is adding more fish than the water can carry. Keep a simple record of what you stock and what anglers take out, and we can help you plan restocking so the dam stays healthy through summer. Permits may apply, so check with the MTPA.
Should I choose rainbow or brown trout for eMakhazeni waters?
Rainbow trout are the usual choice for put-and-take fishing: they feed readily and are easier to catch. Brown trout are warier and appeal to anglers who want a challenge. Many venues stock mostly rainbows with a few browns. Tell us how your water is fished and we will suggest a mix.
Do I need a permit to stock trout near eMakhazeni?
Possibly. The national listing of trout as invasive was excluded from commencement until further notice. In Mpumalanga, the MTPA has required permits to sell and stock live trout, except in dams not connected to rivers. Confirm your situation with the MTPA. See stocking trout in dams.