The Best Fishing Spots in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers varied recreational fishing across rivers, loughs and the coastline, with classic fly fishing for Atlantic salmon, brown trout and sea trout on rivers like the Bann and Foyle. Big pike and mixed coarse species such as perch, roach, bream and occasional carp are common in loughs and reservoirs, while Lough Neagh is noted for its native pollan. Along the coast you can expect productive sea angling for bass, pollack, cod, mackerel and various flatfish, with popular boat and shore options throughout the region.
Top Cities For Fishing
Lake Fishing
Lough Neagh
Upper Lough Erne
Sea Fishing
Ballycastle
(1 km to coast)
Ballyclare
(19 km to coast)
Ballygowan
(11 km to coast)
Bangor
(2 km to coast)
Belfast
(3 km to coast)
Carnmoney
(7 km to coast)
Carrickfergus
(1 km to coast)
Carryduff
(17 km to coast)
Castlereagh
(6 km to coast)
Coleraine
(12 km to coast)
Comber
(4 km to coast)
Culmore
(1 km to coast)
Derry
(12 km to coast)
Donaghadee
(0 km to coast)
Downpatrick
(5 km to coast)
Dundonald
(10 km to coast)
Eglinton
(7 km to coast)
Greenisland
(2 km to coast)
Holywood
(3 km to coast)
Jordanstown
(2 km to coast)
Kilkeel
(2 km to coast)
Larne
(1 km to coast)
Limavady
(8 km to coast)
Londonderry County Borough
(12 km to coast)
Newcastle
(2 km to coast)
Newry
(16 km to coast)
Newtownabbey
(1 km to coast)
Newtownards
(3 km to coast)
Portrush
(2 km to coast)
Portstewart
(1 km to coast)
Saintfield
(19 km to coast)
Warrenpoint
(0 km to coast)
Whitehead
(1 km to coast)
Top Saltwater Fishing Spots
Strangford Lough
A vast sea lough famed for fast tides and rich habitats, Strangford Lough produces pollack, wrasse, seasonal mackerel, and occasional conger, with drifts and reefs accessible by boat or from marks near Portaferry and Strangford when currents ease.
Red Bay
Sheltered by the Antrim Coast, Red Bay is famous for boat catches of tope, spurdog, and ray, with shore opportunities for pollack and wrasse from rough ground near Cushendall and Cushendun .
Larne Lough
A narrow sea inlet that fishes for mackerel in summer and flounder, whiting, and codling in colder months; accessible piers and banks around Larne and Glynn make it a convenient mixed-species venue.
Belfast Lough
Urban and accessible, Belfast Lough offers summer mackerel, pier-caught whiting and codling in colder months, plus pollack and dogfish; prime access includes piers and promenades around Bangor and Holywood , with charter boats working deeper marks.
Ballycastle Bay
A scenic north coast bay producing mackerel, pollack, and wrasse in summer with winter whiting from deeper channels; shore marks around Ballycastle and boat trips toward Fair Head cover mixed ground.
Lough Foyle
The broad estuarine waters of Lough Foyle are noted for summer runs of mackerel and pollack, with winter whiting and codling along channels; shore marks near Magilligan Point and boat drifts off Greencastle and Culmore are favourites.
Carlingford Lough
Straddling the border beneath the Mournes, Carlingford Lough offers pollack, wrasse, and seasonal mackerel, with deeper channels holding dogfish and ray; access from Warrenpoint and boat charters out of Rostrevor cover the reefs and drop-offs.
Ramore Head
A classic rock mark at the edge of Portrush , Ramore Head produces hard-fighting pollack, wrasse, and summer mackerel, with chances of conger after dark; spinning and float rigs work around kelp gullies on settled seas.
Portstewart Strand
This sweeping surf beach regularly yields summer bass and flounder, with winter codling and whiting on a push; anglers space along the dunes-facing shoreline near Portstewart to cover gutters and sandbanks.
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Upper Lough Erne
A maze of channels and islands, Upper Lough Erne excels for pike, perch, and mixed coarse bags, with sheltered waters ideal for lure trolling or float fishing from bank access near Belturbet and Lisnaskea .
Silent Valley Reservoir
Nestled in the Mourne Mountains, Silent Valley Reservoir offers scenic bank fishing for stocked trout and wild brown trout, with clear water and rocky margins accessed via paths around Silent Valley near Attical .
River Roe
Set against the Roe Valley, this river is noted for salmon and sea trout in spate, and resident brown trout in summer; easy access is found near Limavady and paths along the forested stretches.
Lough Neagh
The largest lake in the UK, Lough Neagh offers prolific pike, perch, and eel fishing, with coarse species like bream and roach widely distributed; access points around Antrim , Toome , and Oxford Island make it popular for both shore casting and boat trolling through most of the year.
Lower Lough Erne
Lower Lough Erne is a renowned game and coarse venue with strong stocks of ferox trout, pike, and bream, and countless island drifts; popular launching and bank spots are around Enniskillen , Kesh , and the broad bays to the west.
River Lagan
Running through Belfast and upstream toward Lisburn , the Lagan provides urban-access brown trout and coarse fishing for roach and perch, with tidy towpaths and parkland banks ideal for light tackle.
Camlough Lake
A well-known South Armagh water with pike, perch, and coarse species, Camlough Lake suits lure fishing from kayaks and bank ledgering near Camlough , with deeper sections holding fish through warmer months.
River Bann
Northern Ireland’s longest river yields salmon, sea trout, and excellent coarse fishing for bream, roach, and hybrids, with productive stretches from Portglenone to Coleraine and tributary confluences drawing fish throughout the season.