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Where to fish in Fermanagh Lakelands...

1 Ballinamallard River

This is a small river with trout as the main species. There are also some salmon from mid-July when conditions are suitable. In the early part of the season good fishing can be had using dry fly.

Nearest Town: Ballinamallard
Area/Length: 1.6km
Species: Brown Trout & Salmon
Season: 1 March to 30 September
Methods: Fly Fishing, Spinning & Worm Fishing
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size 25.4cm
Boats: ...
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permits: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Other restrictions: ...

2 Navar Lakes - Achork, Glencreawan and Meenameen

Within the forest area there is a scenic drive, cliff-top viewpoint and a touring caravan site. There are three lakes open to Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DAERA) permit holders - Achork, Glencreawan and Meenameen. Fishing is not permitted in the fourth lake, Lough Navar.

Nearest Town: Derrygonnelly
Area/Length: Achork - 4 hectares
Glencreawan - 19 hectares
Meenameen - 18.6 hectares
Species: Brown Trout only in Achork and Meenameen
Brown and Rainbow Trout in Glencreawan
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods: Fly fishing, Spinning and Worm Fishing at Achork and Meenameen
Fly Fishing only on Glencreawan
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size 25.4cm
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical boats only. Fly Fishing only from boats on all lakes
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permits: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Other restrictions: Fly Fishing only from boats

3 Colebrook River

This is mainly a coarse fishery however salmon and a few brown trout up to 2 kg are often caught towards the end of the season when moving to the upper reaches of the river. Large pike are numerous and provide good fishing opportunities.

Nearest Town: Lisnaskea
Area/Length: 3.2 km
Species: Trout, Salmon, Roach, Bream, Perch, Rudd & the occasional Pike
Season: 1 March to 30 September for Trout and Salmon
All year for coarse fish (only on the lower Colebrooke River below Ballindarragh Bridge).
Methods: Fly Fishing, Spinning and Worm Fishing for Trout and Salmon
All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for Coarse Fish (only on the lower Colebrooke river below Ballindarragh bridge)
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Brown Trout per rod per day
1 Pike / 4 Coarse Fish per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable Trout size 25.4cm
Pike of 4 kg (8.8lb) and over, and coarse greater than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from boats is not permitted
Licence: DAERA Game Rod Licence (for rest of river)
DAERA Coarse Rod Licence (only on the lower Colebrooke river below Ballindarragh bridge)
Permits: DAERA Game Permit (For rest of river)
DAERA Coarse Permit (only on the lower Colebrooke river below Ballindarragh bridge)
Other restrictions: ...

4 Corranny Lough

Corranny is a small lough lying where the road forks near Dernawilt crossroads. There is a car-park, shore path and eleven fishing stands. The Lough is stocked annually with takeable rainbow trout.

Nearest Town: Rosslea
Area/Length: 4.6 hectares
Species: Rainbow Trout
Season: 1 February to 31 December
Methods: Fly Fishing, Spinning & Worm Fishing
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod per day
1 Pike / 4 Coarse Fish per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable Trout size 25.4cm
Boats: ...
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permits: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Other restrictions: ...

6 Lower Lough Erne

The most popular locations are indicated on the map and fishing stands have been erected at many of these locations to improve access. Fly fishing is a particularly effective method for fishing for Brown Trout. The Mayfly season is, without doubt, the most important fly fishing period on the Lough. The Mayfly makes its appearance in mid-May and continues for 3 to 4 weeks.

Nearest Town: Enniskillen
Area/Length: 10,384 hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Rudd, Bream, Roach, Salmon & Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 30 September for Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon
All year for Pike and other coarse fish.
Methods: All lawful methods.
During Mayfly season fish are normally taken on both wet and dry flies. Wet flies such as French Partridge, Golden Olive Bumble, Rogan’s Extractor and Dry Flies such as Green Wulff, Erne Special, O’Connors and Mosely to name but a few are widely used.
Dapping, whilst a popular method of fishing in the West of Ireland, is practised to a lesser degree on Lough Erne. This is a very relaxing fishing style that normally attracts larger fish
Daily Bag Limit: 6 Trout per rod / 4 coarse / 1 Pike per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size for Trout 30cm
Pike of 4 kg (8.8 lb) and over and coarse greater than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from mechanical and non-mechanicalboats is permitted
Licence: A DAERA Game Fishing Licence is required when fishing for trout and salmon
A DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence is required when fishing for Pike and the other fish
Permits: A DAERA Game Fishing Permit is required when fishing for trout and salmon
A DAERA Coarse fishing permit is required when fishing for Pike and the other fish
Other: ...

7 Upper Lough Erne

The Erne is one of the finest coarse fishing waters in Europe and has become popular as a competition venue for anglers. On warm days, pike will bask on the surface and exciting fishing can be had using a fly rod and gaudy pike flies.

Nearest Town: Enniskillen
Area/Length: 3.075 hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Rudd, Bream and Roach, Salmon & Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 30 September for Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon
All year for Pike and other coarse fish
Methods: All lawful methods.
Normally caught on dead bait or by trolling lures, fly fishing for Pike has proved to be a great hit with fly anglers looking for sport during the closed trout fishing season.
Also fishing from a boat may prove much more successful than bank fishing; with access to Pike hot-spots more readily available. Any area where the water suddenly drops off to deeper levels is likely to hold good sized Pike
Daily Bag Limit: 6 Trout per rod / 4 coarse / 1 Pike per day
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size for trout 30 cm
Pike of 4 kg (8.8 lb) and over and coarse greater than 25 cms must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from mechanical and non-mechanicalboats is permitted
Licence: A DAERA Game Fishing Licence is required when fishing for trout and salmon
A DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence is required when fishing for Pike and the other fish
Permits: A DAERA Game Fishing Permit is required when fishing for trout and salmon
A DAERA Coarse fishing permit is required when fishing for Pike and the other fish
Other: ...

8 Keenaghan Lough

Keenaghan is a very popular lake which attracts anglers from near and far. The north and south shores are mostly hard bottomed and easy to wade. Fishing from the western shore is impeded by aquatic weeds. Where shore angling is difficult, a number of natural stone stands have been provided.

Nearest Town: Belleek
Area/Length: 15.3 hectares
Species: Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods: Fly Fishing only
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size for trout 25.4cm
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical boats only
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permits: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Disabled Facilities: There is a quarry dust car park and road allowing disabled access at some points along one shore. There is a car park on the north side with a hard-surfaced access road.

9 Killyfole

This is a reservoir between Lisnaskea and Rosslea in east Fermanagh. The south side is firm and gravelly with a long slope. The north side is softer and there is a dangerous area in the north-west corner where a warning notice indicates sandy banks and deep water.

Nearest Town: Rosslea
Area/Length: 22.6 hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Roach, Bream & Tench
Season: All year
Methods: All legal methods including ground bait and maggots
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Pike / 4 coarse per day
Size Limits: Pike of 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse greater than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from boats is not permitted
Licence: DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence
Permits: DAERA Coarse Fishing Permit
Other: ...

10 Upper Lough MacNean

This fishing location is similar to Lough Erne, with its islands and secluded bays. It is suitable for boat fishing for pike. The lough is fished for trout, usually during the mayfly season.

Nearest Town: Belcoo
Area/Length: This is a cross border lake with 983 hectares of which 458 are in Northern Ireland
Species: Pike, Perch, Bream, Roach, Hybrids & Brown Trout
Season: All year
Methods: All legal methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Pike / 4 coarse per day
Size Limits: Pike of 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse greater than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from boats is not permitted
Licence: DAERA Coarse Rod Licence (for coarse fish only)
Permits: No permit required. This is a free fishery
Other Restrictions: If you do not hold a Game Rod Licence any trout taken must be returned gently to the water

11 Mill Lough Bellanaleck

This popular fishery is stocked with takeable fish annually.Fish will grow up to 5 kg during the winter. Upwing olives and fast fished lures are prominent at this fishery

Nearest Town: Bellanaleck
Area/Length: 40 Hectares
Species: Rainbow & Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods: Fly Fishing only from boat and shore
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod
Size Limits: Minimum takeable size 25.4cm
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical boats only which must be hired from the riparian owners listed. Privately owned boats are not permitted.
Licence: DAERA Game Rod Licence
Permits: DAERA Game Permit
Other: ...

12 Lough Scolban

Pike are the main type of fish found in this water, with some weighing up to 9 kg. There is an abundance of perch and roach which tend to be small. Trout and bream are occasionally taken, but are generally not the main interest for anglers here.

Nearest Town: Belleek
Area/Length: 69 Hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Roach, Bream & Rudd
Season: All year
Methods: All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish.
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Pike / 4 coarse per day
Size Limits: Pike of 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse greater than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical boats only
Licence: DAERA Coarse Fishing Rod Licence (for coarse fish only)
Permits: DAERA Coarse Fishing Permit
Other: ...

13 Stillwater Coarse Fisheries

Six lakes have been developed for coarse fishing by the Erne & Melvin Enhancement Company and Fermanagh District Council.

Nearest Town: Acrussel, Laragh and Racecourse Loughs - Enniskillen
Drumacritten, Inver and Lyons Loughs - Rosslea
Area/Length: ...
Species: Bream, Perch, Pike, Roach, Tench
Season: All year
Methods: All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Pike/4 coarse fish per day
Size Limits: Pike of 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse fish over 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: ...
Licence: DAERA Coarse Rod Licence
Permits: None required currently
Other: ...

14 Blessingbourne Lakes

Blessingbourne Lakes sit amongst mature woodland. The larger lake is around 3 metres deep and is best known for its specimen Pike and Perch fishing. The lake also contains good stocks of Roach and Rudd to 1lb. The smaller lake is around 2 metres deep, with a path around the shore and contains plentiful stocks of smaller fish.

Nearest Town: Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone
Area/Length: ...
Species: Bream, Perch, Pike, Roach, Rudd, Hybrids & Eels
Season: All year
Methods: All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Pike/4 coarse fish per day
Size Limits: Pike of 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse fish over 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: ...
Licence: DAERA Coarse Rod Licence
Permits: ...
Other: *Landowner’s permission required to fish