Angling at Quoile Basin
This is a National Nature Reserve. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) owns the fishing rights from the old barrier (flood gates) at Quoile Bridge to the new barrier at the head of Strangford Lough.
Key information
| Nearest town | Downpatrick |
|---|---|
| Area/length | 40 hectares |
| Species | pike, rudd and perch |
| Season | all year |
| Methods | all legal methods including ground bait and maggots for rudd and perch |
| Daily Bag limit | one pike per person/four coarse per day |
| Size limit | pike weighing 4kg and over and coarse longer than 25cm must be returned to the water |
| Licence | DAERA coarse rod licence: Coarse rod licence prices from DAERA |
| Permit | DAERA coarse permit: Coarse angling permit prices from DAERA |
| Facilities for people with disabilities | see below |
Pike, rudd and perch fishery
Access to the water is easy on the south side where the road runs near the water. There is a path and some stands. A car park is available at the old flood gates with designated disabled parking spaces.
DAERA leases the fishing rights of the river from Downpatrick to Kilmore. Good trout fishing is available in the river downstream from Kilmore.
Anglers must not disturb wildlife or leave behind line, lead shot or other litter.
Facilities for people with disabilities
A car park is available at the old flood gates with designated disabled parking spaces.
- phone: 028 4461 5520
There are two other tarmac car parks connecting to a water's edge path. Other stands are not suitable for wheelchairs.
How to get there
From Belfast, head south on the A24 and A7 through Saintfield to Downpatrick. Turn left at the roundabout on the A22. Turn right just before the bridge after 0.74 miles. Follow the road along the river to the various locations and the countryside centre is about 0.93 miles (signposted).