Where to fish in Fermanagh

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: 1.6 km
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
Catch and Release: All salmon
Size Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit

2. Navar Lakes - Achork, Glencreawan and Meenameen

Within the forest area there is a scenic drive, a cliff-top viewpoint and a touring caravan site. There are three lakes open to Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (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:
- Achork & Meenameen: Brown Trout
- Glencreawan: Brown and Rainbow Trout
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods:
- Achork & Meenameen: Fly Fishing, Spinning & Worm Fishing
- Glencreawan: Fly Fishing only
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod per day
Size Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats: Non-mechanical boats allowed, fly fishing only at Glencreawan and Meenameen. Achork is not accessible by boat.
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit

3. Colebrooke River

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, Pike
Season:
- Trout & Salmon: 1 March to 30 September
- Coarse Fish (lower Colebrooke River below Ballindarragh Bridge): All year
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:
- Four brown trout per rod per day
- One pike per person/four coarse fish per day
- Catch and release for all salmon
Size Limit:
- Trout: Minimum size 25.4 cm
- Pike weighing 4kg and over, and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from boats is not allowed
Licence: DAERA Game Rod Licence (rest of river), DAERA Coarse Rod Licence (lower Colebrooke River)
Permit: DAERA Game Permit (rest of river), DAERA Coarse Permit (lower Colebrooke River)

4. Corrany Lough

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

Nearest Town: Roslea
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
Size Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats: Fishing from boats is not allowed
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit

5. Lough Corry

This mountain lough in Lisnaskea Forest is known for good brown trout fishing. Anglers can wade on one side of the shore. This lough offers excellent fishing from a boat. Takeable brown trout stocks are added to wild stocks. Fishing is particularly good in the evening time.

Nearest Town: Roslea
Area/Length: 6.5 hectares
Species: Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods: Fly Fishing, Spinning & Worm Fishing (Fly Fishing from boats only)
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod per day
Size Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical and electric boats
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Facilities: There is one disabled fishing stand near the quarry dust surfaced car park and slipway.

6. Lower Lough Erne

Fishing stands have been erected at many of the locations along lower Lough Erne to improve access. Fly fishing is a particularly effective method for fishing for brown trout. The Mayfly season is, without a 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: 15,303 hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Rudd, Bream, Roach, Salmon & Brown Trout
Season:
- Brown Trout: 1 March to 30 September
- Pike & Coarse Fish: All year
Methods:
- All lawful methods, although ground bait and maggots prohibited in part of Lower Lough Erne.
- When trolling, fishing rods and lines or hand lines only a maximum of: four rods/lines are allowed in a boat occupied by two, three or more people or two rods/lines are allowed in a boat occupied by one person.
Daily Bag Limit: 6 trout per rod, 4 coarse fish per day, 1 pike per day. Catch and release for all salmon
Size Limit:
- Trout: Minimum size 30 cm
- Pike weighing 4 kg (8.8lb) and over coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from mechanical and non-mechanical boats is permitted
Licence:
- DAERA Game Fishing Licence (Trout & Salmon)
- DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence (Pike & Coarse Fish)
Permit:
- DAERA Game Fishing Permit (Trout & Salmon)
- DAERA Coarse Fishing Permit (Pike & Coarse Fish)

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: 5,787 hectares
Species: Pike, Perch, Rudd, Bream, Roach & Brown Trout
Season:
- Brown trout: 1 March to 30 September
- Pike & Coarse Fish: All year
Methods:
- All lawful methods, although the use of ground bait and maggots is not allowed in that part of Lower Lough Erne
- When trolling, fishing rods and lines or hand lines only a maximum of: four rods/lines are allowed in a boat occupied by two, three or more people or two rods/lines are allowed in a boat occupied by one person
Daily Bag Limit:
- 6 Trout per rod,
- 4 coarse fish per day
- 1 pike per day
- Catch and release for all salmon
Size Limit:
- Trout: Minimum size 30 cm
- Pike weighing 4 kg and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from mechanical and non-mechanical boats is permitted
Licence:
- DAERA Game Fishing Licence (Trout & Salmon)
- DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence (Pike & Coarse Fish)
Permit:
- DAERA Game Fishing Permit (Trout & Salmon)
- DAERA Coarse Fishing Permit (Pike & Coarse Fish)

8. Keenaghan Lough

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.

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 Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats: Fishing is permitted from non-mechanical boats only
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit
Facilities: Limited disabled access along one shore with tarmac-surfaced car park and road

9. Killyfole

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

Nearest Town: Roslea
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 per person / 4 Coarse fish per day
Size Limit: Pike weighing 4kg and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing from boats is not permitted
Licence: DAERA Coarse Fishing Licence
Permit: DAERA Coarse Fishing Permit

10. Upper Lough MacNean

This fishing location is similar to Lough Erne with 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 per person / 4 Coarse fish per day / 4 Trout per rod
Size Limit: Pike weighing 4kg (8.8lb) and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Other Restrictions: If no Game Rod Licence is held, trout must be returned gently to the water
Licence: DAERA Coarse Rod Licence (for coarse fish only)
Permit: No permit required (free fishery)

11. Mill Lough Bellanaleck

Pike is the main type of fish found in Lough Scolban. There are plenty 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: Enniskillen
Area/Length: 40 hectares
Species: Rainbow & Brown Trout
Season: 1 March to 31 October
Methods: Fly fishing only from non-mechanically powered boat and shore
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Trout per rod
Size Limit: Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats: Fishing is allowed from non-mechanical boats only which must be hired from the listed riverbank owners - private boats are not allowed
Licence: DAERA Game Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Permit

12. Lough Scolban

Nearest Town: Belleek
Area/Length: 69 hectares
Species: Pike, perch, roach, bream and rudd
Season: All year
Methods: All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish
Daily Bag Limit: One pike per person/four coarse per day
Size Limit: Pike weighing 4kg and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water
Boats: Fishing is allowed from non-mechanical boats only
Licence: DAERA Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: DAERA Game Fishing Permit