Angling news and events

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.

Upper South Woodburn closed

Upper South Woodburn is closed due to Blue-green algae.

River Bush

Grass cutting is taking place on the New Stretch and Town Stretch on the River Bush.

Killyfole closed for works

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

Works at Monagher fish farm

Works are to be carried out at the entrance of the fish farm at Movanagher. These works will last for about four to six weeks. No angling will be allowed, except for weekends.

Lough Ash

Since 1 February 2022 Lough Ash is no longer part of the DAERA Public Angling Estate However, if you wish to fish this water you'll still need a DAERA game licence with an endorsement or a Loughs Agency licence.

Also since 1 February, all anglers need permission from 'The Honourable The Irish Society' through the following link:

• The Honourable The Irish Society

This water is no longer stocked by DAERA.

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

Lough Mourne is closed due to the danger from low water levels and deep mud near the water line. It will not be stocked until further notice.

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.

COVID-19 

For information about COVID-19 guidance visit the following page:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

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

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