Official tourism website for Northern Ireland

Fishing on Lough Macnean
County Fermanagh

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Fishing

Right out here on the very north-west of Europe with the Atlantic Ocean to our west and the Irish Sea to our east, the natural conditions for fishing in Northern Ireland are arguably better than anywhere else on the planet: pristine lakes, clear streams and a variable coastline that offers easy access to rich fishing grounds.

All the more reason for you to pick up a rod while you’re here, cast a line and sample a little or a lot of some of the best game, sea and coarse fishing to be found anywhere. Not only will you get to enjoy a sport enjoyed by millions worldwide from childhood to old age, but fishing here will also take you into some of our most amazing and inspirational landscapes.

All geared up and ready to go

If you’re a newcomer you can have as much or as little back up as you wish because the region is also rich in professional casting instructors and guides, boatmen, fly fishing schools, angling clubs and tackle and bait shops. All of them are more than willing to offer local knowledge, tips and tricks, and also as much or as little gear as you need.

Game on – salmon, sea trout, brown trout, dollaghan and gillaroo

Game angling in Northern Ireland’s rivers, streams and lakes is highly-prized and extremely rewarding for all levels of angler. You can be tricking small, free-rising brownies in the upland streams of the Sperrins and Mournes, and minutes later be connected to a hard-fighting sea-run Atlantic salmon in the River Foyle or River Mourne. Any local tackle shop will let you know about permits, day tickets, beats, ghillies, boat hire flies and methods – there are few secrets here (well, not for long).

A beautiful salmon and trout river just minutes away from the world famous Old Bushmills Distillery and Giant's Causeway sounds like a dream fishing trip. Well, at the River Bush it is. This County Antrim river is best known for its superb salmon fishing and hard-fighting trout, and with the right conditions you can land something really special. With impressive sights and lovely named pools along its 35-mile length, the River Bush is fishing heaven.

The Six Mile Water (it’s a lot longer than six miles!) in County Antrim is a wonderful river for pursuing a truly big wild trout. It’s one of just a handful of rivers in the world where anglers can catch dollaghan, the large brown trout-like species native only to Lough Neagh and its feeder rivers. Dollaghan migrate to and from lough, and many of these impressive fish surpass their sea-faring salmon cousins in size – a 20-pounder has been taken in the Six Mile Water. The river holds salmon and a good head of brown trout too, but have a go for the dollaghan, particularly at night.

Tucked away in a corner of County Fermanagh is Lough Melvin. These pristine waters have a worldwide reputation as no artificial stocking has ever taken place here, and that means the native trout have not changed since the Ice Age. These wild fish include four varieties of pure-bred, wily and energetic trout, and there’s a good run of salmon plus sea trout, char and perch. All are present in great numbers.

This is coarse fishing heaven

Aided by the fact that there is no closed season, Northern Ireland is an incredible coarse fishing destination synonymous with record hauls of fish. Modern pegs and fishing stands are widely available on many of the most frequented coarse fishing swims, and an array of quiet spots can be easily found. The top species include roach, bream, hybrids and tench, complemented by rudd, carp, dace and gudgeon. Specimen pike are plentiful, especially in Lough Erne.

Lough Erne and the fishing centre of Enniskillen is certainly the capital of Northern Ireland’s coarse angling community, activity and festivals. The rich, inter-connected lakes of Lough Erne and its rivers and canals make for an astounding array of fishing venues from which to target the dominant shoals of roach, bream, rudd, hybrids and tench. Each April, the Waterways Ireland Classic and the Mahons festival attract hundreds of coarse match anglers from around the globe to Enniskillen, while September’s World Pairs brings more anglers together right across County Fermanagh.

Not to be outdone, however, is the River Bann. This is Northern Ireland’s longest river, rising in the Mourne Mountains and flowing into and then out of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. In the Upper Bann, the stretch downstream of Portadown to the lough is regarded as one of the best coarse fisheries in Europe. Time it right here and massive bags of roach and bream are on the cards. On the Lower Bann, the stretch around Portglenone also contains a fantastic head of bream, roach, eels and hybrids with plenty of accessible and wheelchair-friendly stands installed along its length.

A coastal cast – sea fishing from all points north and east

In Northern Ireland, the sea angling comes with unrivalled scenery spotting. That’s because most of the best shore and sea marks here are along an unspoilt coastline that features breath-taking sights such as the world-famous Giant’s Causeway, The Gobbins, Dunluce Castle, Rathlin Island, Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.

All along the coast here there is beach and rock fishing for a wide variety of species using spinning, lure and float tactics. Pollock and wrasse are easily caught within a rod length or two, while mackerel begin to dominate the catches as Summer gets into gear. Beach casting, especially at dusk, yields cod, flounder, coalfish, turbot, spurdogs and even tope; while boat-fishing on in-shore waters will throw up almost any fish on your bucket list: tope, conger, ling, plaice, haddock and more. If you can take your eyes of the jaw-dropping scenery, there’s every chance of hooking and landing a specimen or trophy fish here – even on your first trip out!

Many harbours offer sea fishing charters and boat hire and it pays well to ask in harbour bars and local tackle shops for advice on baits, marks and boats.

Licenses and permits

We look after our wildlife as carefully here as we do our visitors, and we invest in both. That’s why fishing Northern Ireland’s public freshwaters for game or coarse fish means by law you will always need a rod licence issued in Northern Ireland. It’s straightforward to get one online and at local tackle shops and various distributors. Game anglers must also observe bag and size limits and adhere to a fish tagging scheme.

You’ll find that many coarse venues have easy access, but if in doubt check with the landowner, local tackle shop or Visitor Information Centre. Almost all game fisheries are privately controlled and you will need a permit or day ticket to fish them. Again, tackle shops are the best place to ask, and usually get permits.

For more information on licences and permits click here.

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Number of results: 47

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Spruce Meadows Activity Farm

Lisburn

Address

112 Ravarnet Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5NF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9267 8392

info@spruce-meadows.co.uk

Type

Type:

Motor Sports and Karting

Spruce Meadows Activity Farm has a coffee shop on site and activities to suit everyone - quad biking, pitch n putt golf, fishing, archery, off road jeep rides, football golf, tennis, trailer rides, barrel train rides, reptile handling and much more

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Coarse Angling Lough Catherine

Newtownstewart

Address

Barons Court Road, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, BT78 4EZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8166 1683

avril@abercorn-estate.com

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

Coarse fishing year round in the Sperrin waters, offering the angler a great choice including bream, roach, perch, eels and pike.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
10 reviews
Hillsborough Forest

Royal Hillsborough

Address

22 Large Park, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AL

margaret.mcavoy@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

The looped walk around the forest lake is a popular choice among bird-watchers, dog walkers, photographers and nature-lovers. Enjoy free entry to the forest, with on site parking available, and almost 200 acres with way-marked routes providing a…

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Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Cuan Marine Services

Portaferry

Address

200a Shore Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4272 8297

b.rogers@cuanmarineservices.co.uk

Type

Type:

Diving & SubAqua

Marine Surveys, diving, sight seeing trips, fishing trips. All year for some activities and June –October fishing

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Kinnego Marina

Craigavon

Address

Kinnego Marina, Annaloist Road, Craigavon, County Armagh, BT66 6NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3832 7573

kinnego.marina@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Orienteering

Situated on Lough Neagh beside the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Kinnego Marina is the largest marina on the Lough. There is a range of associated amenities on site and instruction on watersports and water safety.

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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
409 reviews
Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan

Address

Forest Park View, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

castlewellanpark@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Castlewellan Forest Park boasts a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27 km of mountain bike trails, nature play perfect for the kids, an on-site multi-activity centre, hedge maze and equestrian centre,…

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From:

1 Nov 2024to28 Feb 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00

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1 Apr 2025to30 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 21:00

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4 Apr 2025to29 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 21:00

From:

1 Oct 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 09:00 - 18:00

From:

3 Oct 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 09:00 - 18:00

From:
25 Dec 2025

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Gary Bell Fly Fishing

Lisburn

Address

5 Knockagh Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 1UR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9209 0878

gary@gbflyfish.com

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

Gary Bell from county Antrim is a professional casting instructor and guide with over 30 years of fly fishing and fly tying experience.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Camlough Lake

Camlough

Address

Newtown Road, Camlough, County Armagh, BT35 7JJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

This is a large disused reservoir, well stocked with small to medium pike, bream, roach and perch.

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Binevenagh Lake

Limavady

Address

Binevenagh Lake, Limavady, Londonderry, BT49 0QY

Telephone
+44 (0) 200 300 7860

dcalangling@dcalni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

This artificial lake commands a cliff-top situation set in a forest area overlooking the picturesque Benone Strand. The fishery can be very exposed in inclement weather and anglers should be appropriately dressed.

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Crom Estate Boat Hire

Newtownbutler

Address

Crom Estate, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, BT92 8AP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 6773 8118

crom@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Canoeing & Kayaking

Petrol engine boat hire, rowing boat hire, Canadian canoe hire.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
GI Stores

Armagh

Address

5 Dobbin Street, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 7QQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3752 2335

des@gistores.com

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

G.I. Stores are leading stockists of fishing equipment, camping gear, work wear, army surplus, etc.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Angling @ North Woodburn Reservoir (Carrick Dams)

Carrickfergus

Address

Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 9QL

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

Anglers must use the official entrances and on no account trespass on adjoining lands or park their cars in such a way as to obstruct roadways or gate entrances. These are very popular lakes and are stocked regularly with up to 30000 takeable sized…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Donaghaguy Reservoir

Newry

Address

Newry Visitor Information Centre, Bagenal's Castle, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

newryvic@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

This 1.25 acre trout factory is situated on the outskirts of Warrenpoint. It is a shallow spring fed reservoir stocked monthly with Rainbow and Brown Trout (1.5-8Ib).

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
N M Tackle

Strabane

Address

131 Melmount Rd, Sion Mills, Strabane, County Tyrone, BT82 9PY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8165 9501

info@nmtackle.com

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

Located in the heart of Game Angling, Sion Mills. All Foyle rivers 20 min max, Lough Erne 30 min, Ballyshannon 45 min. We stock many old classics and up to the minute trends to ensure you have everything you need to catch fish.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Newry Ship Canal

Newry

Address

Omeath Road, c/o Visitor Services & Attractions, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0)330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Sailing

Fish in historic surroundings along the British Isles' first ever ship canal. The Canal opened for traffic in 1742 and only ceased operation in 1976. Business may be dead but the waters are alive. The fishable section, which runs for 3.5 miles.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Crewe Angling Club

Strabane

Address

131 melmount Rd, Sion Mills, Strabane, County Tyrone, BT82 9PY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8165 9501

info@nmtackle.com

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

We specialise in products for salmon and trout angling. We stock many old favorites but keep up to date with the latest tackle and trends. Our range of salmon flies are regarded by many as the best in Ireland.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Banbridge Angling Club - Corbet Lough

Banbridge

Address

Corbet Lough, Aughnacloy Road, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3RU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4062 5039

info@banbridgeanglingclub.com

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

Corbet Lough, under the management of Banbridge Angling Club, is a 70 acre premier trout angling fishery set in the scenic Co Down countryside aganist the backdrop of the famous Mourne Mountains. It has much to offer local anglers and tourists alike.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Temple Springs Fishery

Garvagh

Address

11 Temple Road, Garvagh, County Londonderry, BT51 5BH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7830 345286

info@templesprings.co.uk

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

Temple Springs is a facility located in the Sperrin Mountain range just outside Garvagh that can be hired by groups of up to 20 anglers. All tackle and bait will be supplied. An induction can be given if required.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Pisces II: Sea Angling & Sightseeing on Carlingford Lough

Kilkeel

Address

25 Ballynahatten Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 3669

peyton@pisces2.plus.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Daily trips departing from Greencastle and Carlingford on Pisces II, which is a modern, fully licensed vessel with capacity for twelve passengers.

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Outdoor and Country Sports

Coleraine

Address

58 Society Street, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7032 0701

keith@outdoorandcountrysports.co.uk

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

Tackle shop selling equipment and bait. Authorised distributors for fishing licences and permits. Guides recommended. Clothing and equipment for most areas of outdoor sports and pursuits.

More Info