Angling/Fishing
 Cavan has deservedly earned an excellent reputation for its coarse and pike fishing. The county offers excellent angling opportunities for the coarse angler. Species available include pike, perch, bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, tench, carp and eels. There are many fine game angling river stretches and wild Brown Trout filled lakes. The fisheries in County Cavan are comprised of many major river systems and their associated lakes. The River Erne and its main tributaries, the Shannon Erne Waterway and the Dromore/Annalee system dominate the middle of the County. To the east, lies the upper River Boyne system and to the south and north west parts of the Shannon system.
There is a water here to suit all tastes. The angler seeking large open waters with the promise of outstanding levels of Bream and Roach can choose from the wider stretches of the rivers or large lakes such as Oughter, Gowna, Oughter, Sillan, and Upper Lough Erne. Those in search of somewhere more intimate and secluded will find many smaller lakes and river stretches with plenty of fish.
 The upper reaches of the river Erne, flow between the fishing centres of Kilnaleck and Gowna. The river flows north from Lough Gowna and connects to the intricate lake system of Lough Oughter. The angling town of Arvagh lies near the source of the Cullies river system and continues through many well known lakes before joining Lough Oughter. Cavan, Belturbet and Killeshandra are the angling centres near this popular fishery.
Killeshandra is a fishermans' paradise surrounded by unspoilt countryside. The town is surrounded by many lakes drained by the Killygar river which flows into Lough Oughter. Anglers staying in the area often fish in other parts of Lough Oughter. Click here for link to map of River Erne System
County Cavan offers excellent angling opportunities for the coarse angler. Species available include pike, perch, bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, tench, carp and eels.
Killeshandra Area Fishing Lakes
Town Lake : Lakeside car park off the Belturbet road, with the Castle River flowing through it has an abundance of Pike, Bream, Roach, Rudd and Perch. Eels are also present in all waters in the County.
Green Lake : Roadside Car parking
Tullyguide Lake : Roadside Car parking
Gortnanoul: There are many good fishing areas here.
Killykeen: The short river stretch here fishes good at periods for roach and hybrids. The competition stretch on the Cottage side, is a first class venue for bream roach, hybrids, perch and pike.
Eonish : Roadside parking at a 60 peg match length (King of Clubs venue)
The Derries (Sean O'Reilly's Shore): Access road to waterside parking circa 30 pegs for bream, roach, hybrids, perch, and pike
Tawlagh Lake and Carr's Lake : Limited Parking
Dumb Lake (McGearty's Lake ): Off the Belturbet road. Recently stocked with carp. Fishing from stands for carp, roach, rudd, perch, and pike.
Corglass Lake : On the road access into Rann (Lough Oughter). Limited roadside car parking
Bawn Lake : Limited car parking. Fishing from bank and stands
Rockfield Lake : A short access from the road to a well developed stretch
Disert Lake : Roadside Car Parking. Fishing from stands
Dereskit Lake : Limited off road car parking
Glasshouse Lake : Access via private and forestry road with waterside car parking to a 30-peg match length. Common species and some tench.
Back to top
Arvagh Area Fishing Lakes
The town nestles in an area where counties Cavan, Leitrim and Longford meet, and is popular with visitors for its leisure activities and hospitality. Annual Arvagh Heineken International Festival (First week in September)
Garty Lough : Big lake at the end of the main street of the town. Easy access with a slipway
Hollybank Lake : Good road access to developed car park. Developed match and pleasure stretch. Common species and some tench.
Guiniken Lake : Car park with fishing from stands. Lake is upstream of Hollybank Lake . Common species and some tench.
Gulladoo Lake : This long lake is on the outskirts of the town. The upper lake has restricted access with good fishing in the lower lake from roadside parking. Match and pleasure stretch.
Rockfield Lake : Good road to waterside swims. Newly developed match length and used for King of Clubs competition. Common species and tench.
Gowna Area Fishing Lakes
Gowna is surrounded by a maze of lakes collectively known as Lough Gowna. There are good stocks of trout in these lakes, as well as excellent stocks of coarse fish. Five main shores of Lough Gowna
Back to top
Lough Gowna: Strettons: There is access to the shore, by a private farmhouse. Occasional big trout recorded here.
Rosduff (Enanghan ) : Two access points. Drive to shore with permission of landowner in dry weather. There is good long stretch here for 60 pegs. Used in King of Clubs competition
Church Lake : Access road and car park at a good 25 peg stretch
Cloone Lake : Access road and car park at great stretch which accommodates 20 pegs
Arnaghan Lake : Narrow road to limited parking
Dernaferst: Car park is located between the north and south lakes. There are 30 pegs on the north side and 30 on the south shore.
Dring: Car parking at lakeshore
Rhododendron Shore (Woodville) : Limited road side parking
Aghanoran Lake : Access by permission of landowner
Swan Lake : Adjacent to village
The Derries ( Lisanny Lake ): Lakeside Car parking
River Erne- Sallaghan Bridge : Roadside car parking
Belturbet Area Fishing Lakes
The town is situated on the N3 road from Dublin to Enniskillen. The river Erne with it's many lakes dominate the whole area and the river is joined by the Shannon Erne Waterway. The river is navigable below the town into Upper Lough Erne.
Ardan Lake : Near Miltown with limited roadside car parking. Good Fishing for tench, bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike.
Drummany Lake: Limited access. Common species and some tench.
Putiaghan and Bun Lakes : Access adequate with car parks. Both are excellent tench fisheries and also have good stocks of the common species
Grilly Lake : Roadside car parking with fishing from stands
River Erne
Baker's Bridge: Roadside car parking at bridge and downstream
Putaghan: Roadside car park. Fishing in pools between shallower stretches
Town Stretch: Various access points above and below the bridge (above bridges trout fishing only, permit required) and at the mooring areas. Common species and some tench.
Back to top Trout Lakes :
Annagh Lake : This fine lake near Butlersbridge is managed by the Butlersbridge Trout Angling Co-op Ltd. It is stocked mainly with rainbow trout annually. Bank fishing is not allowed and there are eight boats available for hire. There are good hatches of duckfly and sedges during the angling season and traditional fly patterns will suffice.
Season : 1 March to 30 September. Angling Methods : Fly fishing only. Bag Limit : Four trout with a size limit of 12 inches Permits: Sean O Hare Butlersbridge, Co Cavan. Telephone 049-4332490.
Crannagh Lake , Killeshandra : Stocked Trout Lake
Holy Lake : This stocked lake is managed by the Belturbet Trout Anglers Club. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and can only be fished by boat. Trout to over 6Ibs have been recorded. Depending on season, dryfly, wetfly and nymph patterns can all be successful. Season : 1 March to 31 October. Angling Methods : Fly fishing only. Bag Limit : Three trout per half day with a size limit of 12 inches Permits: Gerry Walsh 21 Main Street Belturbet. Co Cavan. Telephone: 049-9522359.
River Erne, Belturbet: The river upstream of the town bridge at Kilconny to the Railway viaduct is developed for brown trout fishing by the local Trout Angling Club. There are a good variety of fly hatches and wet and dry patterns will product some fine fishing. Season : 1 March to 30 September. Angling Methods : Fly fishing only. Bag Limit : Three trout with a size limit of 12 inches Permits : Tommy McMahon, The Lawn, Belturbet, Co Cavan. Telephone 049-9522400.
Little Garadice Lake
Parking at entry to Garadice Lake . Limited swims. Bream, roach, hybrids, perch, pike. The Woodford River flows on from here, forming some good pools.
Garadice Lake
A big good water with many stretches producing good bream catches, with roach, hybrids, perch, pike, eels. Fishing at the chief stretches, where there is parking near the water:
a. Church Shore and Cully's. Good parking beside water.
b. Haughton's Shore. Access easy and parking at water.
c. Connolly's Shore. Car park. Do not bring car into field.
Bait
Ann and Frank McGovern, Greenville house, Killeshandra Road, Carigallen, Co.Cavan
t: +353 (0) 49 4339 938
Competitions and Useful Links
Many opportunities exist for the specialist match angler to participate in the three and four day angling festivals. One of Ireland 's major international events is the British King of Clubs which is held annually in County Cavan . Local festivals are held annually at Arvagh and Belturbet with one day open matches at many centres. Details of the principal events are published in the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (N.C.F.F.I.).
There are many open Pike competitions and festivals held through out the year. Notices of these are usually displayed by the tackle shops.
Useful Links:
For a complete guide to fishing in Cavan: http://www.nrfb.ie/fishing/coarse/mapcavan.htm
The Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs http://www.angling-in-ireland.com/
The Killeshandra Festival of the Lakes takes place annually over the June bank holiday weekend. With music and craic in many of the pubs, the festival also features a family fun day on the Strand , table quizzes, car treasure hunt, sports day and children's talent show.
Back to top
|
