River Mourne

Nearest Town: - Sion Mills
Area/Length: - 6.4 km
Species: - Salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout
Season: - 1 April–20 October
Methods: - Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing (floats not permitted)
Daily Bag Limit: - 4 trout per rod per day . Salmon limits click here
Size Limit: - Minimum takable size 25.4cm.
Other Restrictions: - Fishing is not permitted within 64 metres downstream of Sion Weir on the left or western bank
Licence: - Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit: - Sion Mills Angling Club Day Ticket

Under an agreement with the Department, Sion Mills Angling Club manages the fishing rights in those parts of the River Mourne under the Department’s control. They are operated in conjunction with the Sion Mills Angling Club stretches as a single fishery. 30 day tickets are available daily, at a small charge to provide liability insurance cover, to holders of DCAL Adult or Juvenile Game Season Permits. These may be obtained on production of a valid Department Permit from The Tourist Office Melmount Road Sion Mills Strabane Co Tyrone. A day ticket charge of £5.00 is payable for a holder of an adult or concessionary DCAL full season permit and £2.50 for a holder of a juvenile DCAL permit. Otherwise, the day ticket fee is £15.00 and £7.50 respectively.

Details of the pools on the fishery and access points are available from the Tourist Office.

This stretch of river offers some of the best salmon fishing in Ireland with a considerable run of salmon every year. The average size of salmon is around 2/3kg during the main run from mid June to the end of the season. Salmon up to 10kg are caught regularly. There is a spring run of fish from April to the end of May. It is at the limit of the tidal stretch and if it is to be fished properly requires a double handed rod, chest waders and a wading staff. Wading can be dangerous. Shrimp flies are popular (local patterns exist) and it is good spinning and worming water in suitable conditions

From Belfast to the end of the M1, taking the Dungannon by-pass to Ballygawley and the A5 to Omagh continuing on the A5 through Newtownstewart to Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills.

From Londonderry on the A5 through Strabane to Sion Mills.