Angling at Lower Lough Erne
The most popular locations are shown on the maps below. Fishing stands are at many of these locations to improve access. Anglers at this fishery can catch trout weighing five kg and sometimes heavier.
Key information about Lower Lough Erne
| Nearest town | Enniskillen |
|---|---|
| Area/length | 15,303 hectares |
| Species | Pike, perch, rudd, bream, roach, salmon and brown trout |
| Season | 1 March to 30 September for brown trout all year for pike and other coarse fish |
| Methods |
All lawful methods, although the use of ground bait and maggots is not allowed in that part of Lower Lough Erne west of an imaginary line from the nearest point of Pollaginnive on the east shore of Boa Island to Hare Island and from that point on the west shore of Hare Island to the most easterly part of Tully Point. When trolling, fishing rods and lines or hand lines only a maximum of:
|
| Daily bag limit |
Six trout per rod per day |
| Size limit |
Minimum takeable size for trout 30cm Pike weighing 4 kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water |
| Boats | Fishing is allowed from mechanical and non mechanical boats |
| Licence |
DAERA game rod licence is needed when fishing for trout and salmon: DAERA coarse rod licence is needed when fishing for pike and other fish: |
| Permit |
DAERA game permit is needed when fishing for trout and salmon: DAERA coarse permit is needed when fishing for pike and other fish: |
| Facilities for people with disabilities | See below |
Find out about angling and Upper Lough Erne.
One of the finest coarse fishing waters in Europe
Lough Erne, around the town of Enniskillen is one of the finest coarse fishing waters in Europe and has become popular as a competition venue anglers. Roach are everywhere and there are plenty of bream, pike and perch.
There is a good stock of pike in the lough. The normal methods for fishing include trolling from a boat. Fly fishing for pike is a fast-growing method.
Facilities for people with disabilities
A disabled hoist is available at Garvary and Innishclare to allow wheelchair users or other anglers with disabilities to fish from boats.
- phone: 0300 200 7860 (outside NI: ++44 28 9151 3101)
Access is generally good elsewhere around the lough for anglers who find walking difficult, although there are no special wheelchair facilities.
There are a number of areas with level paths close to car parks. These are at Cornagrade, Trory and Dolan's Ring. There are also six stands suitable for wheelchairs at Queen Elizabeth Road, Enniskillen. Two accessible stands are at Broadmeadow at the rear of the Lakeland Forum and one accessible stand is at Coradillar Quay on Upper Lough Erne.
How to get there
Enniskillen is the best starting place. There is a visitor centre and tourist information office, Wellington Road.
- phone: 028 6632 3110
Boat hire is available at various locations. Ask for information in any tourist office.
Access to Garvary
Negotiations are underway to have obstructions to access removed at Garvary, Lower Lough Erne so that full access to facilities, including the disabled hoist, can be restored.