Northern Ireland 

Fishing in Northern Ireland

From beautiful loughs and rivers to fantastic trout, pike, salmon and coarse fishing, Northern Ireland has plenty to offer freshwater anglers.

Float & Fly will be exploring five of the best freshwater fishing destinations across Northern Ireland, with useful information on species, permits, methods and tips to help you plan your next fishing adventure.

Discover the water. Make the cast. Fish Northern Ireland with Float & Fly.

Lower Lough Erne — County Fermanagh

 

Location: County Fermanagh, around Enniskillen

 

Target species: Brown trout, salmon, pike, perch, bream, roach and rudd.  

 

Popular methods: Fly fishing, spinning and other permitted methods from the bank or boat. Boat fishing is particularly useful given the enormous size of the lough.  

 

About Lower Lough Erne

 

Lower Lough Erne is a huge freshwater fishery stretching across County Fermanagh. At around 15,303 hectares, there’s an enormous amount of water for anglers to explore.

 

It’s particularly well known for brown trout, with trout weighing around 5 kg and sometimes more reported from the fishery. The lough also offers excellent pike and coarse fishing, making it a genuinely varied destination.  

 

🎯 Float & Fly Tip

 

Watch the conditions before choosing your method.

 

On such a large lough, wind, depth and weather can make a huge difference. If you’re targeting trout, look for signs of insect activity and feeding fish. For pike and coarse species, explore areas around reeds, weed and changes in depth.

 

🎫 Permits & Licence

 

This is important for our Northern Ireland guides: anglers need the appropriate DAERA rod licence and fishing permit for the species they’re targeting. Brown trout and salmon require game licences/permits, while pike and coarse fishing require the appropriate coarse licence/permit.  

 

The brown trout season on Lower Lough Erne is currently 1 March–30 September, while pike and other coarse fishing is available year-round subject to the applicable regulations. Salmon are catch-and-release.

Brantry Lough — County Tyrone

Location: Near Benburb, County Tyrone

Target species: Brown trout and rainbow trout.

Popular methods: Fly fishing only, with boat fishing also permitted from non-mechanical or electrically powered boats.  

About Brantry Lough

Brantry Lough is a 20-hectare managed game fishery surrounded by vegetation, which can provide good natural insect activity. DAERA specifically notes good falls of terrestrial insects such as daddy long legs and red ants, particularly during August.  

The fishery is regularly stocked with brown and rainbow trout, making it a good option for anglers looking for a dedicated trout session rather than a huge wild lough. DAERA’s 2026 stocking records also show trout stocking at Brantry Lough.  

🎯 Float & Fly Tip

Don’t ignore what’s landing on the water.

If you see daddy long legs, ants or other terrestrials around the bank, check whether trout are feeding on them.

Instead of automatically reaching for a traditional trout pattern, try matching the insects the fish are actually seeing.

🎫 Permits & Licence

Anglers aged 12 and over require a DAERA Game Rod Licence and DAERA Game Fishing Permit.

The current published season is 1 March to 31 October, with fly fishing only. The stated bag limit is four stocked trout meeting the minimum size requirement.

Lough Scolban — County Fermanagh

Location: Near Belleek, County Fermanagh

Target species: Pike, perch, bream, roach and rudd.  

Popular methods: Spinning, lure fishing, dead baiting and other lawful methods, depending on the species and current regulations.

About Lough Scolban

Lough Scolban is a 62-hectare freshwater lake in County Fermanagh and is part of Northern Ireland’s Public Angling Estate.

The lough is particularly interesting for predator anglers, with DAERA highlighting it as a venue capable of producing large pike. There are also good populations of perch and coarse species, giving anglers plenty of options.  

Boats are permitted, but only non-mechanical or electrically powered boats can be used. Anglers should take particular care when boating because the lough contains unmarked shallow areas.  

🎯 Float & Fly Tip

Look for the weed and structure.

Pike will often use weedbeds, reed edges and changes in depth as ambush points. Spend some time looking at the water before deciding where to concentrate your fishing.

If you’re lure fishing, vary your depth and retrieve rather than repeatedly working the same water in the same way.

🎫 Permits & Licence

Lough Scolban is open 1 January to 31 December.

Anglers aged 12 and over require the appropriate DAERA coarse or game rod licence and fishing permit. DAERA’s current information states that one pike up to 4kg and four coarse fish up to 25cm may be retained per day; larger pike and coarse fish exceeding the stated limits must be returned according to the regulations.

River Bush — County Antrim

 

Location: Bushmills and surrounding County Antrim

 

Target species: Brown trout and Atlantic salmon.

 

Popular methods: Fly fishing, with spinning and worm fishing permitted during certain parts of the season and on specified stretches.  

 

About the River Bush

 

The River Bush is a relatively small river with a surprisingly varied character. Around Bushmills there are several recognised fishing stretches, while further upstream the river becomes more like a mountain stream, with faster water, boulders and deeper pools.  

 

The river is particularly well known for its salmon fishing, while brown trout provide good sport throughout much of the season. The Bush also has an important conservation connection, with DAERA operating its Salmon Station at Bushmills for long-term salmon monitoring and research.  

 

🎯 Float & Fly Tip

 

After rain, watch the water carefully.

 

The Bush can change quickly. Rather than charging straight into the river, look for where the increased flow creates seams, deeper pools and quieter water.

 

For trout, accurate fly presentation can be more important than covering huge amounts of water.

 

🎫 Permits & Licence

 

Anglers aged 12 and over require the appropriate DAERA Game Rod Licence and Game Fishing Permit.

 

The River Bush season currently runs from 1 March to 20 October. Methods and restrictions vary between stretches, so anglers should check the exact beat before fishing. Salmon and sea trout are catch-and-release only.