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  5. Angling

Angling news and events

This page has the latest news and information about the Public Angling Estate and fishing events in Northern Ireland.

Angling events fund

The angling events fund closed on Monday 7 November 2022. 

A notification will be posted when it reopens in 2023.

Broadwater Canal

The Broadwater Canal at Aghalee is a Public Angling Estate (PAE) fishery managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Anglers need a valid DAERA coarse rod licence and permit to fish the Broadwater Canal .

Only DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers (FPOs) are warranted to carry out licence and permit checks there.

DAERA FPOs will always identify themselves and show their warrant card when approaching anglers. If anglers are approached by anyone about their licence and/or permit on any PAE water, they should ask the person(s) to show their warrant card.

Impersonation of a warranted officer is a criminal offence under the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966.

DAERA is aware that the Lagan Rivers Trust (LRT) claimed to have leased the fishing rights at the Broadwater Canal, and was selling season permits and day tickets to fish there. It also applied to the courts to have private water bailiffs warranted to work there.

LRT was unable to give evidence to support its claim and recently the court has struck the application off.

It would appear that LRT had no legal authority to sell permits or day tickets.

Any angler who bought these may wish to take the matter up with the Trust directly.

Killyfole closed for works

Killyfole (Mill Lough)is closed due to works being carried out on the site.

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 

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.

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 

      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

      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 

      For enquires about angling licences / permits and refunds contact Inland Fisheries – Portadown Office. For general enquiries contact Inland Fisheries - DAERA.

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      Angling

      • Angling - what you need to go fishing
      • Angling guides and leaflets
      • Angling news and events
      • Angling on the River Bush
      • Buy rod licences, permits and River Bush day tickets
      • Fish stocking figures
      • Make an angling catch return
      • Report illegal fishing or make a complaint
      • Rod licence and permit prices
      • Where you can fish in Northern Ireland

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

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