Geography and Climate

• Northern Ireland is situated on the northern part of the island of Ireland. This has historically been a source of conflict, although the area is now reasonably safe, according to the U.S. State Department. The area has several lakes, the biggest of which is Lough Neagh, which covers 151 square miles. The lake is formed by the river Bann, at 80 miles the longest river in the area. It runs from the southeast corner of Northern Ireland to the northwest coast. There are numerous small rivers and creeks. Northern Ireland has a humid climate, relatively warm for its latitude because of the Atlantic Ocean. Temperature averages are 43 degrees Fahrenheit in January, and 63 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Snow rarely falls, but rain can fall unpredictably, especially in the western part of the area.
  
  

Lake Fishing

• While fishing in the lakes of northern Ireland is possible just about anywhere, trout fishing is best in the lake of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. More than 20 fishing areas have brown trout, sea trout and salmon. The lake is managed by the National Trust, so a permit has to be purchased from the visitor center. Also in County Fermanagh, Lough Melvin has salmon, grilse and brown trout. In County Armagh, the Craigavon Lake has rainbow trout, and in County Tyrone, Braden Lough has brown trout. Castlewellen Lake in County Down has brown and rainbow trout.
  
  

River Fishing

• More than 70 fishing waters are listed in Northern Ireland. Some of the publicly accessible sites include the River Bush is near the Giants Causeway on the North Antrim coast. It is stocked by the Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure with salmon, sea trout, and brown trout. Also in Country Antrim, the river Maine holds brown trout and salmon. In County Down, the Ballykeel holds brown and rainbow trout, and the Shimna has salmon and sea trout. County Londonderry has two sites where you can fish for sea trout and salmon, in the Faughan and the River Roe, where there also is brown trout. County Tyrone has Blackwater River with salmon and brown trout. Many other private rivers and lakes are stocked with trout and salmon.
  
  

Fishing Licenses

• About half of the salmon and trout fishing waters in Northern Ireland are private and controlled by clubs or landowners, and the rest are controlled by the Department of Agriculture. Game fishing is permitted between February and the end of October, although some trout waters operate year-round. Permits are required for salmon and trout fishing, but the permit can either have to be purchased from the landowner, or from the Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure. A guide can advise on which applies.
  
  

Fishing Guides

• Outdoor activity operators can be found throughout Northern Ireland. They can provide information about where to fish and how to get a license. The guides will know the conditions and be able to select from the available fishing spots to find the one which offers the best chance of a catch.