Spinfish Where to Go Fishing in Southern Ireland - Donegal

The Southern Ireland Where to Fish A to Z


Coarse Fishing | Rivers | Stillwaters / Loughs



Rivers Game


Eske


For the river Eske see below for Lough Eske

Drowes Salmon Fishery


The the upper half of the Drowes river forms the border between Donegal and Leitrim draining Lough Melvin. It is reconned to be the top spring fishery in Ireland. It consists of 5 miles of river with 70 named pools. The river has a lot of good fly water however there are pools which suit spinning and bait fishing better. Flowing into Lareen Bay near Tullaghan the river opens for fishing in the 1st of January and fish are often taken on the first day. A springer would be perfect hang over cure for New Years day

Drowse Tullaghan

Google Screen Shot the Drowes at Tullaghan

Spring fishing peaks in March / April followed by a very good run of grilse peaking in June and July. There is some excellent brown trout fishing from early summer. an estimated 1,000 fish a year are taken on the Drowes.

Access to the river is good with miles of wooden walk ways installed along the river bank. The fishery office has a a tackle shop where you can buy permits and hire boats for lough Melvin.

River Drowes

Google Screen Shot, the Drowes

To book call +353 (0) 71 98 41055 or 87 8050806

Google Map 54.452785, -8.241942 (Fishery Office)

Checked 28/06/19

Eanywater Fishery


The Eany fishery consists of fishing on three rivers, The Eany Water, Eanymore and Eany Beg which combine and flow into the sea at Inver Bay. The are 30 named pools and fly, worm and spinning is permitted. Catch and release at this time.

Google Street view Eany Water

There is a good run of grilse in Juy and August with sea trout peaking in July. There is also a run of back end salmon. into September.

Day and week tickets available from
The Village Shop in Frosses, Owenea Angling Centre (074 9551141) and the IFI Office in Station Rd, Ballyshannon (071 9851435)

Google Map Village Shop Frosses 54.668798, -8.243631

Checked 01/07/19

Finn River


A fast flowing salmon spate river rushing from the Blue Stack Mountains for 25 mile into Northern Ireland where it joins with the Mourne.

Google Street View river Finn

Glenmore Estate have the fishing on the Finn and Reenan over 38km. With 20% of the run of salmon from the Mourne running the Finn (about 12,000 fish) it's reputation is deserved. Fish are in from opening day and come with every spate. They also get a good run on sea trout in the 1 to 1.5lb range. Season dates 1st March to 15th September.

The best fishing is around Clonghan and day tickets are available on what is top notch fly fishing water, call +353 (0) 868133869.

Google Map Reference 54.826429, -7.482350

Checked 01/07/19

Glen River


Siagh Liag Angling Association based in Carrick have the fishing on this spate river and the Owenwee. Both rivers are catch and release at present. They also have the Crow River and Owentesky which are also tributaries of the Glen River.

Google Street View the Glen river at Carrick

In addition they have fishng on several loughs including:; Lough Auva, Unshagh, Unna, Divna and Lough na Lughraman

Day and week tickets available from Teelin Bay House about half a mile from the Salmon Leap Falls. Call 0749739043.

Google Map 54.657296, -8.631543

Checked 01/07/19

Leannan (Lennon)


The Leannan river fishery is about 30 miles long and includes Lough Fern (approx 450 acres) and Lough Gartan (just over 500 acres.

Fishing for migratory fish is catch and release at present. Lough Fern and the river below has some excellent brown tout to the 3 to 5lb range. Lough Gartan has much smaller fish.

The river below Drumonahan Bridge is a private fishery however above the fishing is free (please double check locally).

Boats can be hired through Letterkeny Dist Anglers from the SPAR Store in Kilmacrennan, call 074 9139322. Google Map ref 55.026703, -7.772765

Checked 01/06/19

Owenea Fishery


The Owenea flows for 20 k from Lough Ea to the sea at Loughrosmore Bay. An execellent salmon river, the sea trout fishing is also recovering well.

Springers from April with grilse best in August and September. Sea trout are catch and release at this time.

There are 9 beats on the lower 12k of the river, good fly water with shrimp flies recommended.

As part of a government initiative the facilities have been upgraded with toilets and hospitality at the Angling Centre. They have also installed facilities to give anglers wirh disabilities access to beat 3.

Permits from the Owenea Angling Centre in Gleties, call 074 9551141.

Google Map 54.790033, -8.287153

Checked 01/07/19

Stillwaters / Loughs


Creeslough District Angling Association


Creeslough DAA have fishing on three local loughs:

Roosky Lake, a 12 acre wild brown trout fishery, fly only bank and boat. They have now acquired a wheelieboat for use by anglers with disabilities.

Toohey Lough is a new venture into rainbow trout fishing. Stocked with rainbows 2 to 6lbs fish have over wintered. Fly only, bank and boat, open all year. To book call 074 9138216

Glen Loch,on the Lackargh river the loch gets an early run of salmon and sea trout in addition to brown trout fishing.

Contact the club secretary on +353 (0) 85229240

Google Map Ref Creeslough 55.123160, -7.909292

Checked 02/06/19

Pier View on the Drowes at Lareen


Lough Derg

(Not to be confused with its more southerly name sake) a fairly large lough (2000 hectares) part of the Erne system, nearest town being Pettigo. Wild brown trout averaging 12 to 14 ozs with fish over 3lbs regularly coming off the lough.

Best April / May. Best patterns are traditionals, grenwells, black pennel, butchers as well as buzzers. There are some salmon and sea trout which run up the Upper Derg river from Lough Erne when there is a spate. The Upper Derg river is 3 miles long.

The area also offers sea trout fishing on the Termon river from August onwards. Permits from the Pettigo District Angling Association (see below).

Pettigo AA also have fishing on;

Lough Bannus, roach, perch and brown trout . Bank and boat allowed.

Drumgun Lough, perch, roach, bt from the bank.

Lough Avegh, pike, perch, roach and brown trout.

Lough Derg, pike, perch, brown trout.

Day tickets and boat hire available from Brittons Bar, Mian Street, Pettigo.

Google Map Reference 54.613904, -7.872952

Dunfanaghy Anglers


Dunfanaghy Anglers have the fishing on three loughs near the town:

New Lake, formed in 1918 when a storm isolated a portion of Dunfanaghy Bay to form a 230 acres fresh water fishery, holds brown trout averaging one pound with some fish going to 4lbs. Fishing from boats only. Best May, June and September. Google Map 55.174908, -7.980316

Port Lake is 75 acres just 3 miles from the town, a limestone lake it holds big free rising brownies to 2lbs. Google Map 55.160023, -7.980279

Sessiagh Lake is also alkaline and trout range from 1.25lb to 4lbs. Fishing from bank and boat. Google Map 55.172715, -7.933875

Day tickets and boat hire from Arnolds Hotel in Dunfanaghy. Call 353 74 9136208 Google Ref 55.183507, -7.969801

Checked 01/06/19

Eske Fishery


The fishery starts up in Blue Stack Mountains. 5 miles on the river Esk flowing to the sea at Donegal Town and fishing on Lough Eske.

Screenshot Google Outflow for Lough Eske

Google Screen Shot Lough Eske outflow

There are good runs of spring fish with grilse in the summer months and an other run of back end salmon. In addition their are good wild brown trout and char in the lough. Sea trout arrive from July onwards.

Best stretches from Timothys Turn to the Mill Pool, above and below Miss Jenny's Bridge and at the Eel Weir Turn. The Mill Pool has had alterations made to make it accessible to anglers with disabilities.

4 beats with 2 visitor rods available daily. Day and week tickets avaiable. 5 boats on the lough. Permits from the IFI Angling Centre in Demesne call 074 9740 781.

Google Map 54.686586, -8.049023

Checked 02/06/19

Rosses Fishery, Lough Waskel


Fishing on the 85 acre Lough Waskel for brown trout. Recommend blue Daddies, sedges and silver invicta. The fish feed heavily on sticklebacks so a fry imitation of some sort would be good.

The club have acquired a wheelyboat giving good access for disabled and wheelchair users.

To book call in to Charlie Bonners Tackle Shop , The Bridge, Dungloe. 074 9521163

Google Map 54.995693, -8.425868

Checked 02/06/19

Coarse Fishing

See Pettigo District AA entry for Lough Derg


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