Fermanagh is renowned for its world famous fishing. With over 300 square miles of water, the Lakelands are an angler’s paradise
With its abundance of Loughs and Rivers, our waters offer game anglers the opportunity to fish for salmon and wild brown trout as well as stocked rainbow and brown trout. The famous sonaghan, ferox and gillaroo can also be found in these diverse waters.
The Coarse angler will find some of the finest fishing available in Europe, with bream, roach and hybrids in abundance as well as perch and tench. Add to this pike fishing that is second to none – whether seeking to catch them on fly or in a more traditional manner and the region offers all anglers wonderful opportunities.
There is no close season for the coarse fisherman and it is possible for the game angler to fish during all twelve months as our designated rainbow fisheries remain open all year round.
There are many popular Loughs, rivers and fisheries that are easily accessed by visitors. Lough Erne & Lough Melvin being the more well known.
Lough Erne
Lough Erne is made up of the Upper Lough East of Enniskillen & Lower Lough which runs West to Belleek. The Lough is a mixed coarse and game fishery. The game angling, in the main, takes place on the Lower Lough although trout are found throughout the system. The Lower Lough is a large expanse of water, over 25 miles long with numerous islands and bays. These provide vast areas of shallow water and rocky shores making for ideal fishing grounds. Although a limited number of salmon run the Lough, wild brown trout are the quarry and the Lower Lough holds an excellent stock of fish.
Lough Melvin
Sitting on the western end of Co. Fermanagh this is one of Ireland’s most famous Loughs. It is home to 3 distinct species of trout – the sonaghan, the gillaroo and the ferox – as well as enjoying a run of spring salmon and grilse. Fishing starts in February with the arrival of the first salmon and continues throughout the months with grilse from May to July and wonderful trout fishing throughout the season. Trolling is the most used method for the springers but fly fishing for the sonaghan and gillaroo, as well as the grilse, is excellent.
Navar Lakes
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.
Species: Brown Trout only in Achork and Meenameen
Brown and Rainbow Trout in Glencreawan
Season: 1 March to 31 October
