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Trout fingerlings for sale in Machadodorp
Rainbow and brown trout fingerlings for farm dams, lodges and fishing venues around Machadodorp, delivered from our hatchery near Dullstroom with advice on every order.
- Fish health checked before every dispatch
- Stocking advice with every order
- You speak to the people who raise the fish
- Delivering to Machadodorp
Trout in the Elands River valley
Stillriver Trout supplies rainbow and brown trout fingerlings to farm dams, guest lodges and fishing venues around Machadodorp, officially renamed eNtokozweni and still widely known by its old name. The Elands River runs straight through the town.
Machadodorp has an odd place in local trout history. The story goes that a quick-thinking station master rescued a consignment of dying trout by tipping them into the Elands River, and that act is linked to the town's role in Mpumalanga's trout tourism. Whether you take the story at face value or not, trout and this valley have been tied together for a long time.
What we ask before we quote
A farm dam around Machadodorp is usually either fed by a stream or spring, or filled by run-off. Those kinds of dam behave very differently in late summer, so the first questions are always about the water, not the price. A dam with steady inflow usually stays cooler and better oxygenated than one that depends only on rain.
- Surface area. A rough length and width, or a pin on a map, is enough to start.
- Depth. How deep is the deepest part? Deep water holds a cool layer that trout can retreat to on hot afternoons.
- Water source. Spring, stream or run-off. Inflow brings fresh, oxygenated water. A dam with no inflow relies on what it holds.
- Use. A private family dam, a lodge water fished every weekend and a commercial venue need very different numbers of fish.
With those answers we can suggest species, size and numbers. Our stocking calculator gives you a starting point before you message us, and the fingerlings page explains the sizes we sell.
Stream-fed dams and the permit question
With the Elands River running through the valley, permits deserve attention here. Read this before you order, not after.
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. A dam on a stream is connected. Confirm what applies to your dam with the MTPA. More on stocking trout in dams.
We are happy to explain what we know about the process, but the MTPA is the authority, and its requirements have changed over the years.
Stocking advice that comes with the fish
Every fingerling order includes advice for your dam. That covers how to temper the bags to your water temperature before release, where in the dam to let the fish go, whether to feed them, and what to watch for in the first weeks. Temperature shock at release is one of the easiest losses to avoid, and one of the most common.
If a Machadodorp dam has lost fish before, tell us. A dam that killed trout one summer can often hold them with fewer fish, a later stocking date or a different species mix. Sometimes the honest answer is that trout are the wrong fish for that water, and we will say so. Our guide on why trout die in dams covers the usual causes.
To start, send us your dam size, depth and water source on WhatsApp, or use the order form.
Delivery to Machadodorp farms and lodges
Machadodorp lies on the main toll road east towards Mbombela, near the edge of the escarpment, so it fits well on our Highlands delivery runs. Fingerlings travel bagged with oxygen, and we plan the drive so the fish reach you in the cooler part of the day. If you prefer, you can collect from the farm near Dullstroom.
Lodges and guest farms in the valley often combine an order: fingerlings for the dam and fresh or smoked trout for the kitchen. Tell us both when you message and we will try to put them on the same trip. For a one-off stocking, give us a few weeks' notice so we can match the batch to your dam and sort the timing around the weather.
Questions from Machadodorp dam owners
Can you deliver trout fingerlings to Machadodorp?
Yes. Machadodorp is part of our Highlands delivery area. Fingerlings travel bagged with oxygen, and we plan the run so the fish reach you early in the day, when it is cooler. Send your dam details and location by WhatsApp and we will confirm a delivery date with your quote.
My dam is fed by a stream off the Elands River. Is that a problem?
For the fish, a flowing inflow is usually good news, because it brings cooler, oxygenated water. For permits, it matters. In Mpumalanga the MTPA has required permits to sell and stock live trout, except in dams not connected to rivers. A stream-fed dam is connected, so check with the MTPA before you stock.
How many fingerlings should I put in my dam?
It depends on surface area, depth, inflow and whether you plan to feed the fish. Stocking too many is the most common mistake we see, because it strains the oxygen in the water in late summer. Start with our stocking calculator, then send us the result and we will check it against your dam.
When is the best time of year to stock trout?
Stock when the water is cool and staying cool. In the Highlands that usually means the cooler months rather than the height of summer, when dams are at their warmest. Fish stocked into warm water are stressed from day one. Tell us your dam type and we will suggest a window for your order.
Do you sell table trout in Machadodorp as well?
Our fresh and smoked trout go mainly to restaurants, delis and shops on scheduled runs. If you run a kitchen or a farm stall near Machadodorp, ask whether a delivery can join an existing route. See wholesale trout and smoked trout for what we supply.