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.
From Steamboat Quay to the Quoile Barrier, fishing is not allowed in the interests of the protection of wildlife.
In all areas where angling is allowed, no other wildlife should be disturbed and anglers should not discard fishing line, lead shot or any other litter.
Facilities for people with disabilities
A car park is available at the old flood gates with disabled parking spaces.
There are two other tarmac car parks further downstream - one next to Quoile Quay, the other next to Steamboat Quay. Neither of these car parks have disabled parking bays, however next to each is a disabled fishing platform with disabled access. Beyond Steamboat Quay access is not allowed.
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).