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  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 Down

Angling at Castlewellan Lake

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

Key information

 

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 Four trout per rod
Size limit Minimum takeable size 25.4cm
Boats Fishing is allowed from non-mechanical and electrically powered boats
Licence DAERA game rod licence: Game rod licence prices from DAERA
Permit DAERA game angling permit: Game angling permit prices from DAERA
Facilities for people with disabilities See below

Facilities for people with disabilities

There is a tarmac car park for people with disabilities beside the water. The path around the lake is quarry dust surfaced. Wheelchair access to the water's edge is possible near the castle between the slipway and the boat jetty.

A limited number of keys for the car park are available from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in mid-February, on a first come first served basis, which allows access around the lake by car.

General facilities

The lake is one of the main attractions in Castlewellan Forest Park. Other facilities include a car park, cafeteria, caravan, camping and barbecue facilities. There are also various scenic walks. It is possible to visit the Arboretum and the Annesley Garden.

How to get there

  • Location on Google maps

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

From Newcastle, take the A50 northwards.

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

Anglers must pay to park in the forest car park. 

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
  • Fishing at Spelga and Castlewellan
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Fisheries in County Down

  • Angling at Ballykeel Lough Erne
  • Angling at Ballynahinch, Annacloy and Quoile Rivers
  • Angling at Castlewellan Lake
  • Angling at Creevy Lough
  • Angling at Hillsborough Lake
  • Angling at Lough Cowey
  • Angling at Lough Money
  • Angling at Loughbrickland Lake
  • Angling at Quoile Basin
  • Angling at River Lagan Iveagh
  • Angling at Shimna River
  • Angling at Spelga Reservoir

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

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