Lower Lough Erne

Nearest Town: - Enniskillen
Area/Length: - 15,303 hectares
Species: - Brown trout, Pike, Perch, Rudd, Bream, Roach, and Salmon
Season: - All year for pike and other coarse fish in designated coarse fishing areas.
Methods: - All lawful methods including ground bait and maggots for coarse fish. When trolling, fishing rods and lines or hand lines only a maximunm of:- (a)four are allowed in a boat occupied by two,three or more people. (b)two in a boat occupied by one person.
Daily Bag Limit: - 1 pike /  4 coarse per day
Size Limit: - Pike of 4 kg and over and coarse greater than 25 cms must be returned to the water
Boats: - Fishing from mechanical and non mechanical boats is permitted
Disabled Facilities: - See Disabled Fisheries
Further Guidance for fishing Lough Erne (Pdf; file size 521Kb)
Licence: - A DCAL Coarse fishing licence is required for pike fishing. The exception to this is certain locations are designated trout areas and a Game fishing licence is required even if fishing for pike. For further information contact the Department's Fisheries Officer on 028 6634 3043.
Permit: - A DCAL Coarse Fishing Permit is required

Lough Erne is one of the finest coarse fishing waters in Europe and has become popular as a competition venue for British anglers. Roach are everywhere with bream, pike, perch and eels, in abundance.In recent years many outstanding weights were recorded during sponsored coarse angling competitions. The department continues to provide and maintain shore fixtures for the convenience of anglers. Modern pegs and fishing stands are avaialble for up to 500 anglers.The Department's scientists have recently carried out an extensive coarse fish survey which indicates that fish are plentiful throughout this vast water although the bulk of match fishing takes place around Enniskillen.

There is a good stock of pike in the lough. The normal methods for fishing include trolling from a boat. However fly fishing for pike is a fast growing method. For further information see the pike link.

The most popular locations are indicated on the maps and fishing stands have been errected at many of these to aid access for fishing. Anglers visiting this fishery can capture trout up to 5 kg in weight regularily and the occasional trout between 5 - 9kg. For further information see the Guide for the Lower Lough or follow the game link.

Enniskillen is the best starting place. There is a visitor’s centre and tourist information office just off the A4 in the town at the Lakeland Centre, telephone: 028 66 323110. Boats can be hired at various locations and this information as well as that on ghillies is available from any tourist office or from the Lower Lough Erne guide map