Fishing in Lydenburg
In 1927 Lydenburg became a municipality. Even though its name means “Town of Suffering”, the little town is pleasant and rather cheerful. It is central in the agricultural community for hatching fish, specifically trout.
The Transvaal Provincial Administration created the Lydenburg Provincial Fisheries in 1949. This was done in order to control undesirable fish species, provide a variety of angling fish species, as well as supply information to trout farmers.
On the banks of the Dorps River is the Mpumalanga Parks Board fish and plant production centre, formerly FC Braun Park, which comprises 56 hectares of botanical gardens, a fish hatchery and aquarium. Fishing can be done at the Ohrigstad, Buffelskroon and Raubenheimer dams. The Spekboom River, which has been worked for alluvial gold, is also in the area.
Hiking, Birds and Antelope
The Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve is a 2,200-hectare reserve, which lies along the scenic Long Tom Pass on the Drakensberg escarpment. It is named after the late Gustav Klingbiel, a Lydenburg town councillor, who campaigned to have the area declared a reserve.
The main habitats include thornveld and bushveld in the low-lying areas, montane grassland on the slopes and plateaus, while protea woodland occupies the higher altitudes. There are four hiking trails, ranging from five to 20 kilometres. Apart from plenty of antelope, the bird life is excellent (more than 320 species recorded).