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  1. Home
  2. Environment and the outdoors
  3. Forests and outdoor recreation
  4. Outdoor recreation
  5. Angling
  6. Where you can fish in Northern Ireland
  7. DAERA Public Angling Estate fisheries
  8. Fisheries in County Antrim

Angling at Altnahinch Reservoir

Altnahinch Reservoir, at the head of the River Bush, is situated in an exposed area of peaty moorland. Most of the surrounding area is forest. The banks are fairly solid and ideal for shore fishing.

 

What you need to know

Anglers are advised not to fish near the float and nets as an experiment is taking place to pick up tagged fish signals.

Nearest Town

Ballymoney

Area/Length

17.8 hectares

Species

Brown trout and rainbow trout

Season

1 March to 31 October

Methods

Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing

Daily bag limit

Four trout per rod per day

Size limit

Minimum takeable size 25.4cm

Boats

Fishing from boats is not allowed

Licence

DAERA game rod licence: Game rod licence prices from DAERA

Permit

DAERA game angling permit: Game angling permit prices from DAERA

The bay at the head of the reservoir can be quite sheltered and has a deep channel which can be easily covered from 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. Brown trout of around 3kg have been regularly taken. The lake fishes well to small attractor fly patterns such as Bibio in early spring with sedge patterns more effective later in the season. Spinning with red and blue spotted Mepps works well also.

How to get there

  • Location on Google maps

From Ballymena (14.60 miles)

Take the A43 (Glenariff Road) to Martinstown. Turn left at the crossroads, fork right after 0.93 miles to Newtown Crommelin. Turn right then left at the staggered crossroads and continue for 2.48 miles. Turn left onto the Altnahinch Road. The reservoir is on the right, 1.98 miles from the junction.

From Ballymoney (13.23 miles)

Take the B16 through Kilraughts. At the end of the road turn left onto the A44. Take the third right into the Fivey Rd and continue to the “T” junction at Magherahoney. Turn right onto Coolkeeran Road. (Signposted six miles to Altnahinch Dam) Turn left into Glenbush Road. After a short distance turn right into Altnahinch Road. The reservoir car park is on the left 3.47 miles from the junction.

Other places to fish

  • DAERA Public Angling Estate fisheries 
  • Fisheries outside the Public Angling Estate

More useful links

  • Angling- what you need to go fishing 
  • Angling
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Fisheries in County Antrim

  • Angling at Altnahinch Reservoir
  • Angling at Ballymoney River
  • Angling at Broadwater Canal
  • Angling at Copeland (Marshallstown)
  • Angling at Dungonnell Lough
  • Angling at Killylane Reservoir
  • Angling at Lower South Woodburn
  • Angling at Middle South Woodburn
  • Angling at Movanagher Canal
  • Angling at North Woodburn
  • Angling at Portna Canal
  • Angling at River Lagan Shaw's Bridge stretch
  • Angling at River Lagan Stranmillis Stretch
  • Angling at River Maine
  • Angling at River Margy, Carey and Glenshesk
  • Angling at Stoneyford Reservoir
  • Angling at Toome Canal
  • Angling at Upper South Woodburn
  • Angling on Lough Mourne

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

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