NORTHERN IRELAND
FISHING

The information given here is not all encompassing but it is as up to date as possible.

Welcome to the official website of Marine Conservation Northern Ireland - A Non Profit Making Organisation. Winner of Coca Cola, Tidy NI and Belfast Telegraph's "Northern Ireland Environmental Campaigner of the Year Award 2012".

GAME FISHING

There are over 70 waters listed (controlled by the Dept. of Agriculture or by clubs) containing salmon, sea trout, brown and rainbow trout. Other waters held in private hands can be fished with permission. Here is a list of main venues, fish may vary. Adults require A Fisheries Conservation Board (FCB) or a Foyle, Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) annual license for each rod. Also, a license is required for most inland waters including Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL), club & private fisheries. Under 18's do not normally require a license.

DCAL, Inland Fisheries Belast - (028) 9025 8861
FCB, Portadown - (028) 3833 4666
CILC, Londonderry - (028) 7134 2100

ANTRIM

River Bush - A 24 mile stretch from Bushmills to Ballymoney and Ballycastle. Salmon, sea & brown trout.

River Maine - A 4 mile stretch between Cullybackey and Dunminning. Salmon & brown trout.

ARMAGH

Craigavon Lake - Known as the "Balancing Lakes". Rainbow trout.<.p>

DOWN

Ballykeel - West of Ballinahinch on the A49. Brown & rainbow trout.

Ballylough - Annsborough near Castlewellan. Rainbow Trout.

Castlewellan Lake - In the forest from the town centre. Brown & rainbow trout.

Lough Island Reavy Club Water - Rathfriland Road between Castlewellan and Kilcoo. Brown trout, some pike & perch.

Lough Money (mixed) - Ballyculter Road off Ballyhornan Road from Downpatrick. Pike, eels, perch, rainbow trout.

Shimna - a 2.5 mile stretch in Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle. Brown & rainbow trout, some salmon.

FERMANAGH

Lower Lough Erne - The largest single game water (27K acres) in the province, with over 20 posted fishing areas. Salmon, brown & sea trout.

Lough Melvin - West of Enniskillen on the A4. Salmon, grilse & brown trout.

LONDONDERRY

Faughan - a 29 mile stretch from Feeny to the river mouth. Sea trout & salmon.

River Roe - A 5 mile stretch from Dungiven to Burnfoot Bridge and a 34 mile stretch from Burnfoot to the river mouth. Salmon, brown & sea trout.

TYRONE

River Blackwater - a 1.5 mile stretch upstream of Blackwater town bridge and downstream of the island. Salmon & brown trout.

Braden Lough - In Lough Braden Forest near Drumquin. Brown Trout.

MAIN TYPES OF GAME FISH

SALMON - Most rivers

SEA TROUT - Most rivers, Shimna, Strangford

DOLLAGHAN - Lough Neagh, Lower Bann

RAINBOW TROUT - Many stocked rivers

BROWN TROUT - Lough Erne, Lower Bann

SEA FISHING

Off shore boat fishing provides great sport along 300 miles of coastal strands and rocks from Magilligan Point to Carlingford Lough. Here is a list of main venues, fish may vary.

Causeway Coast - plaice, haddock, brill, megrim and cod.

East Antrim Coast - Pollack, coalfish, conger ell, dogfish and rays.

Strangford Lough - Skate, tope, spurdog, huss and thornback ray.

Causeway Coast (Magilligan Strand) - Beach fishing for flounder.

Co. Antrim Coast (Glenarm) - Beach fishing for flat fish, codling and conger eel.

Co. Down Coast (Ardglass) - Beach fishing for mackerel, wrasse, codling and dogfish.

COARSE FISHING

Available all year round, the province has been the venue for many big matches over the years. Adults require A Fisheries Conservation Board (FCB) or a Foyle, Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) annual license for each rod. Also, a license is required for most inland waters including Department o Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL), club & private fisheries. Under 18's do not normally require a license.

DCAL, Inland Fisheries Belast - (028) 9025 8861
FCB, Portadown - (028) 3833 4666
CILC, Londonderry - (028) 7134 2100

ANTRIM

Lower River Bann - Movanagher one mile stretch north east of Kilrea and Portna 1/4 mile stretch of Kilrea. 1/2 mile stretch upstream of Portglenone bridge.

West bank of River Bann south of Portglenone - car parks, a river walk and over 80 fishing points.

ARMAGH

Upper River Bann - 10 mile stretch downstream from Portadown, includes Hoy's Meadows, Portadown Park, Boulevard Irwin's and Milk Quay.

Lough Neagh - At Kinnego marina (Oxford Island).

DOWN

Newry Canal - Three mile stretch from Newry town to Victoria lock gates, Omeath Road. Noted for pike in winter.

Quoile Basin - From the Old Barrier, Quoile Bridge, downstream to the head of Strangford Lough. Pike, perch, rudd, eels & brown trout.

FERMANAGH

Lough Erne - (upper & lower). Over 50 miles long and 12 miles wide with over 25 fishing areas signposted.

Colebrook River - 2 mile stretch north west of Lisnaskea.

TYRONE

Blackwater River - (Bonds & Verner's Bridge). 3 mile stretch upstream of Bonds on the west bank and adjacent to the car park at Verner's.

Blacks Lough - Southern outskirts of Dungannon (B45).

MAIN TYPES OF COARSE FISH

BREAM - Upper & Lower Bann, Newry Canal, Erne

ROACH - Lagan Canal, Erne, Bann

RUDD - Quoile

PERCH - Everywhere, Erne

GUDGEON - Lower Bann

EELS - Lough Neagh, Bann, Erne

TENCH - Erne lakes, Fivemiletown (Screeby Lough)

PIKE - Most areas


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