angling antrim town

Lough Neagh has been described as a huge fish factory. It is the biggest lake in the British Isles, and it covers 153 square miles (400 km). Its uncanny similarity in size and shape to the Isle of Man gave rise to the legend that the mythical giant Fiann McCool scooped out a huge lump of earth and threw it into the Irish Sea - the lump of earth formed the Isle of Man, and the hole filled with water became Lough Neagh.

For the tout angler its main interest is the dollaghan, a unique...

The 4,000 year old tradition of eel fishing is still strong on Lough Neagh, with many local communities dependent upon the 'harvesting' of the eels. The eel's life cycle begins when the tiny elvers set out from the Sargasso Sea on a mammoth journey to the mouth of the River Bann near Coleraine. During the final leg of their journey downstream to Lough Neagh many of the maturing brown eels are caught by local fishermen using traditional methods. The surviving eels remain in the lough and at...

The rivers Bush, Carey, Glenshesk, Margy and Roe all have salmon, sea trout and brown trout. The Agivey river and Dungonnell and Altnahinch reservoirs are good for brown trout. Check that you have the right licence and, where required, owner's permission....

Brill, bass, coalfish, cod, conger, dab, dogfish, flounder, gurnard, haddock, mackerel, mullet, plaice, megrim, pollack, ray (cuckoo, homelyn), skate, turbot, whiting, wrasse. First-class sea boats are avalable. There is also excellent rock and beach fishing....

Running through the western end of the estate is the River Maine, a substantial river, a large part of which can be waded. Chest waders are recommended and a stout wading staff is needed. The river provides nearly 3 miles of unique angling in more attractive surroundings.

Access:
This shall be by the Grand Entrance or White gates, off the Randalstown/Antrim Road. Drivers are requested to keep their cars parked on the hard road where possible.

A stocking progra...

This Reservoir is situated at the head of the Bush River, four and a half miles north east of Clough Mills. It is in a very attractive location with pine forest to the north and south. It holds a native stock of free rising trout and in addition, is stocked with brown trout averaging 1lb. There are some quite large fish in there and test nettings have turned up trout to 5lb. Access to the water is good with a car park by the west shore. The season runs from 1 March to 30 September. There is a 10...