Angling at Broadwater Canal
This shallow water is part of the derelict Lagan Navigation Canal. It is popular as a winter pike fishery and pleasure angling venue. It can be dangerous to step off the towpath as there is a layer of floating vegetation which does not support an angler's weight.
Water bailiffs
The Broadwater Canal at Aghalee is a Public Angling Estate (PAE) fishery managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Anglers need a valid DAERA coarse rod licence and permit to fish the Broadwater Canal.
Only DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers (FPOs) are warranted to carry out licence and permit checks there.
DAERA FPOs will always identify themselves and show their warrant card when approaching anglers. If anglers are approached by anyone about their licence and/or permit on any PAE water, they should ask the person(s) to show their warrant card.
Impersonation of a warranted officer is a criminal offence under the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966.
DAERA is aware that the Lagan Rivers Trust (LRT) claimed to have leased the fishing rights at the Broadwater Canal, and was selling season permits and day tickets to fish there. It also applied to the courts to have private water bailiffs warranted to work there.
LRT was unable to give evidence to support its claim and recently the court has struck the application off.
It would appear that LRT had no legal authority to sell permits or day tickets.
Any angler who bought these may wish to take the matter up with the Trust directly.
Key information about Broadwater Canal
| Nearest Town | Aghalee, Moira |
|---|---|
| Area/Length | 1.5km |
| Species | Pike, perch, bream, roach and hybrids |
| Season | All year round |
| Methods | All lawful methods |
| Daily bag limit | One pike per person/ four coarse per day |
| Size limit | Pike of 4kg and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water |
| Licence | DAERA coarse rod licence: Coarse rod licence prices from DAERA |
| Permit | DAERA coarse permit: Coarse angling permit prices from DAERA |
This fishery is noted for good winter pike angling.
DAERA Inland Fisheries staff plan to install several new fishing platforms at the Broadwater in 2021 for the benefit of DAERA permit holders. Any disruption to anglers during these works will be kept to a minimum.
How to get there
From the M1 junction 9 (Moira roundabout), follow the A26 for almost a mile. Turn left for Soldierstown Road then follow the B105 out of the village for almost a mile. The car park is on the left just after the hump back bridge. Take care when driving from the car park due to limited road visibility.