Angling news and events

Contacting Inland Fisheries at DAERA

For enquires about angling licences / permits and refunds contact:

• Inland Fisheries – Portadown Office 

For general enquiries contact:

•  Inland Fisheries - DAERA

For specific enquiries, for example, about reporting illegal fishing activity, or pollution/fish kills visit the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) website: 

• DAERA Inland Fisheries - contacts for specific enquiries

Water bailiffs 

Anglers with a DAERA angling licence and DAERA permit may fish at DAERA Public Angling Estate fisheries and do not need to pay any other fees.  

Only court approved private water bailiffs with a valid warrant card may ask to see an angler’s licence and permit. They must carry a warrant card as evidence of their legal appointment. If challenged by anyone while fishing at DAERA Public Angling Estate waters, an angler can ask to see the warrant card to make sure the person who has challenged them has the authorisation to do so. Impersonation of being a private water bailiff is an offense.

• Angling at Broadwater Canal 

Avian influenza

Given the recent detections of Avian influenza, anglers should follow the guidance on the on the following page about reporting finds of dead birds:

• Birds

Low water levels and deep mud

Middle South Woodburn and Lough Mourne are closed due to the danger associated with low water levels and deep mud near the water line.

These will not be stocked until further notice.

Copeland, Lower South Woodburn and North Woodburn are open with safe water levels.

Advice to anglers on reporting unusual catches

What to do if you suspect you have caught:

• an escaped farmed Atlantic salmon
• an escaped farmed Rainbow trout
• an escaped farmed Brown trout
• a non-native Pink salmon
• fish displaying external or internal signs of disease

Report any suspected catches to DAERA Inland Fisheries or Loughs Agency:

• email:  anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk
• email: general@loughs-agency.org

If possible take a picture before release and attach it to any report.

Don't kill fish unless in line with fisheries regulations and bag limits.

DAERA Inland Fisheries and Loughs Agency will monitor reports and develop further advice if needed.

Angling Events Fund

The Angling Events fund has no longer been taking new applications from 30 November 2021.

 The fund will reopen in the new year with a date still to be confirmed.

COVID-19 restrictions 

For information about COVID-19 restrictions and guidance (including exercising and sports) visit the following page:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations and guidance: what they mean for you

Car parks are open, including disabled parking. However, anglers should check for updates about the facilities for particular waters before they visit.  Updates will be posted on this page.

It will be for private fisheries to decide whether they stay open or close during periods of restrictions. If they stay open they must follow the Health Protection regulations and guidance.

Contacting DAERA Inland Fisheries

You can only contact DAERA Inland Fisheries by email:

• email:  anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

Buying angling licences and permits

You can only use the online system to buy DAERA angling licences and permits.

• Buy rod licences and permits including River Bush day tickets 

DAERA fisheries offices and most distributors are closed to the public due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Reports of diseased salmon

Reports have been received of Atlantic salmon from European rivers being caught which have demonstrated symptoms of Red Skin Disease. 

If you catch or see Salmon with a red spotted rash, ulceration and bleeding, report to: 

• anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

Affected salmon should not be removed  from the water.

All fishing tackle, boots and fishing jackets should be disinfected. 

If you've recently fished in the Republic of Ireland and plan to fish in Northern Ireland, follow the advice at the link below when you leave the water, to stop the spread of invasive species:

• Check, clean, dry

How to avoid spreading crayfish plague

Anglers are urged to take precautions to avoid spread of crayfish plague

Craigavon City Park Lake South

The car park at Craigavon Watersports Centre is closed due to construction work. The nearest car park for anglers fishing at Craigavon City Park Lake South is off roundabout nine on the Portadown to Lurgan road.

• Angling at Craigavon City Park Lake South

Portavoe Reservoir

Portavoe Reservoir changed owners in June 2020 and will not be open as an Public Angling Estate water for the foreseeable future.

Safety at waterways

If you're a competitor or a spectator at angling events, always pay attention to safety notices and warnings about waterways.

• Enjoying waterways

More useful links

• Angling - what you need to go fishing
• Angling