Lough Cowey

Nearest Town: - Portaferry
Area/Length: - 18.2 hectares
Species: - Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Pike
Season: - All year (may vary)
Methods: - Fly fishing only
Daily Bag Limit: - 2 trout or salmon (Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Permit holders) (see notes)
Size Limit: -
Boats: - Fishing from boats is permitted but only from boats which are available for hire at the fishery.
Licence: - Fisheries Conservancy Board Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: - DCAL Game Fishing Permit

The fishery is open all year round. It is heavily stocked on a regular basis and has good quality over wintered fish available in early spring. Fish are taken by “matching the hatch”. Bags of large fish are frequent with traditional Irish fly patterns, buzzers and streamers being amongst the most popular flies. Although it is best fished from a boat there is also limited bank fishing available.

The southern shore and part of the lough is a bird sanctuary controlled by the National Trust and fishing is not allowed in this area.

Under an agreement with the Department, Ards District Fly Fishing Club exercises the fishing rights on Lough Cowey. Ten day tickets are available daily, free of charge, to holders of DCAL Adult, Local, Juvenile and Concessionary Game Season Permits. These may be obtained from the fishery office on site telephone: Portaferry (028 4272 9019). Department permit holders fishing on a day ticket are permitted to retain two fish free of charge. Thereafter, if they wish to remain on the fishery, they must pay the appropriate day ticket charge. Other anglers may also purchase day tickets.

A car-park and slipway are provided on the south shore. The ferry linking Strangford and Portaferry makes Lough Cowey easily accessible from Downpatrick and the lough is only 40 km (25 miles) from Belfast.

From Belfast travel eastwards on the A20 to Newtownards. Continue on the A20 through Greyabbey and Kircubbin. The lough is on the right near the main road, 4 km before you reach Portaferry.