Angling at Keenaghan
At Keenaghan, the north and south lough shores are mostly hard bottomed and easy to wade. Fishing from the western shore is impeded by aquatic weeds. Where shore angling is difficult, natural stone stands are available.
Key information about Lough Keenaghan
| Nearest town | Belleek |
|---|---|
| Area/length | 15.3 hectares |
| Species | Brown trout |
| Season | 1 March to 31 October |
| Methods | Fly fishing only |
| Daily bag limit | Four trout per rod |
| Size limit | Minimum takeable size 25.4cm |
| Boats | Fishing is allowed from non-mechanical boats |
| Licence | DAERA game rod licence: Game rod licence prices from DAERA |
| Permit | DAERA game angling permit: Game angling permit prices from DAERA |
| Facilities for people with disabilities | See below |
The lake offers excellent brown trout angling and is regularly stocked with takeable brown trout. This is a highly productive shallow lough. Popular flies include Olives, Midges, Buzzers and Caddis.
Facilities for people with disabilities
A tarmac-surfaced car park and road allows limited disabled access at some points along one shore. There is a car park on the north side with a hard-surfaced access road.
Zebra mussels
Zebra mussels have been found in Lough Keenaghan and also Abacon Lough, Derrymacrow Lough, Kilturk Lough, Castle Lough, Derrykerrib Lough and Derrysteaton Lough. Originally from eastern Europe, the Zebra mussel is an invasive species which causes problems for native wildlife and to water-based activities.
Zebra mussels can block intake pipes, which increases costs to water treatment plants and boat users. They're also a threat to a lake's natural functioning system.
Invasive alien species are foreign organisms which move into local areas. They can damage native species by out-competing with them for food, hunting and eating them, altering their habitat, or by introducing disease.
The Zebra mussel is a small, freshwater mussel with stripes native to the Caspian Sea. They form large colonies and attach themselves to a stony lake bottom. They also cling to any hard surface, such as boats, buoys and water intake pipes. They can form very dense clusters and are mainly spread by recreational water use.
All water users must follow the guidance issued to help prevent the spread of Zebra mussels. Signs have been placed at slipways around Lough Erne and at other infected sites, highlighting that:
- boats and equipment should be carefully cleaned
- bilge water drained
- any plant material attached to the engine or trailer should be removed
How to get there
Lough Keenaghan is 1.49 miles from Belleek on the main Kesh to Belleek road (A47).