Angling at Castlewellan Lake

This is a very popular fishery, which is stocked regularly with brown trout and rainbow trout.

Key information about Castlewellan Lake

Nearest Town	Castlewellan
Area/Length	41.6 hectares
Species	Brown and Rainbow trout
Season	1 March to 31 October
Methods	Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing from shore. Fly fishing only from boats
Daily Bag Limit	4 trout per rod
Size Limit	Minimum takeable size 25.4 cm
Boats	Fishing from non-mechanically and electrically powered boats is permitted
Licence	DCAL Game Fishing Rod Licence
Permit	DCAL Game Fishing Permit
Disabled facilities	See below for details

Disabled facilities

A tarmac car park for people with disabilities is provided beside the water and a quarry dust surfaced path surrounds the lake. Wheelchair access to the waters edge is possible near the castle between the slipway and the boat jetty.

A limited number of keys are available from Forest Service at Castlewellan Forest Park on 2 January each year, on a first come first served basis, which permits access around the lake by car. Telephone 028 4377 8664 for more information.

General facilities

The lake is one of the main attractions of Castlewellan Forest Park. Other facilities include a car-park, cafeteria, caravan, camping and barbecue facilities. There are also scenic walks of varying lengths and it is possible to visit the Arboretum and the Annesley garden, where greenhouses are open to the public.

How to get there

Click on the button directly below for a map and you will see an arrow which shows Castlewellan Lake.

Click on the map further further down to the right on this page for a more detailed view of the location.

Castlewellan is on the main Downpatrick to Newry Road (A25). The entrance to the forest park is signposted in the town.

From Newcastle, take the A50 northwards.

From Banbridge, take the A50 in a south-easterly direction.

Anglers using the forest car-park at Castlewellan have to pay the current forest car-park charges.