Eastern Cape, Jansenville, Darlington Dam (Lake Mentz)
Darlington Dam, also called Lake Mentz, is a large gravity dam on the Sundays River near Kirkwood and Jansenville in the Eastern Cape. The dam sits within Addo Elephant National Park and holds barbel and carp in open water.
Darlington Dam holds carp and barbel in the main basin. Specimen carp to about 10 kg and barbel of similar size are reported. Yellowfish, moggel, mullet, and kurper also occur. Papgooi and fly fishing both work in places. Much of the shoreline is remote bushveld. Access and permits are managed through national park and water-authority rules. Confirm fishing permits and access points before you visit.
Darlington Dam was completed in 1922 and stores about 187 million cubic metres of water for irrigation and domestic supply in the Sundays River Valley. The dam wall and spillways sit in arid Karoo hills north of Kirkwood. The basin now forms part of Addo Elephant National Park. This is public dam water, not a private fishing lodge. There is no campsite or chalet on the dam itself. Day fishing may be possible from the shore or by boat where access is allowed. Bring your own tackle, food, and shade. Fishing permits, gate fees, and day-access prices follow SANParks and water-user rules when the dam is open to anglers. Day spot price not published. Confirm access and the price with the venue before you visit. Last updated at: 4 September 2026.
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Confirm access hours with the venue before you visit.
Other locations on DaarByt nearby. Book online or request a booking.
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Impofu Dam
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Wriggleswade Dam
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