Altnahinch Reservoir

Nearest Town: - Ballymoney
Area/Length: - 17.8 hectares
Species: - Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout
Season: - 1 March-31 October
Methods: - Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing
Daily Bag Limit: - 4 trout per rod per day
Size Limit: - Minimum takeable size 25.4cm
Boats: - Fishing from boats is not permitted
Licence: - Fisheries conservancy Board Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: - DCAL Game Fishing Permit

Altnahinch Reservoir, at the head of the River Bush, is situated in an exposed area of peaty moorland, although much of the surrounding area has been forested. The banks are fairly solid and ideal for shore fishing. The bay at the head of the reservoir can be quite sheltered and has a deep channel which can be easily covered fromt the south-western shore.

There is a native stock of free-rising brown trout but this has been supplemented by stocking with takeable size fish from Movanagher Fish Farm and will be topped up throughout the season. Test netting of the reservoir has revealed trout in excess of 4.5kg. Typical of upland lakes it fishes well to small attractor patterns such as bibio.

From Ballymena (23.5km) take the A43 (Glenarriff Road) to Martinstown. Turn left at the crossroads, fork right after 1.5km to Newtown Crommelin. Turn right then left at the staggered crossroads and continue for 4km. Turn left onto the Altnahinch Road. The reservoir is on the right 3.2km from the junction.

From Ballymoney(21.3km) take the B16 through Kilraghts. At the end of the road turn left onto the A44. Take the second right in the Drones to Ballyhoe Bridge. Turn right, then fork left and then right just before Knocklavrinnen Bridge onto the Altnahinch Road. The reservoir is on the left 5.6km from the junction.