Where to fish in County Antrim
Belfast
The river Lagan
The best place to fish the river Lagan is the 2-l/4 mile stretch upstream from Stranmillis weir, at the Belfast Boat Club, to Shaw’s Bridge. You can also fish from the towpath but only on the west side of the river. This is a developing fishery, responding best in the evening to a light tackle approach (summer only).
The river Lagan is home to gudgeon, perch, pike, roach, rudd and some bream.
A permit is needed to fish the Lagan and one can be obtained from Belfast tackle shops and the Tourist Information Centre, 59 North St, Belfast.
Fishing worms are available from Leansmount Worms in the Cavehill area of Belfast. Contact Paul Downing on 0771 391 6029
County Antrim
Bann River (Lower) Navigational Canals
The best places to fish here are Toome, Portna and Movanagher which have popular canal stretches. It is only permitted to fish from the bank on all stretches.
Toome: There is a half-mile stretch and the lower part is noted for perch.
Directions: Take the A6 to Toome from Randalstown and then take the first street to the left in the village.
Portna: There is a quarter-mile stretch.
Directions: Take the A54 for a 1/4 mile south-east of Kilrea, left, left again. No fishing is permitted above the canal locks.
Movanagher: There is a l-mile stretch.
Directions: Take the B64 north-east of Kilrea for 1-1/2 miles to McLaughlin’s corner, the take left and immediately left again for 2-1/4 miles.
There is no parking along canal bank road but there is a car park for Anglers. Fishing is not permitted from the west or middle bank between the canal and river. Best areas are the low numbered pegs.
These stretches of canal have a variety of fish including bream, eel, perch, pike, roach.
Permits are available from the following:
Albert Atkins, 67 Coleraine Rd. Garvagh.
Cassells, 43 Main St, Ballymoney.
J Hamilton, c/o O’Rourke, McDonald & Tweed, 37 Church St, Antrim.
Point Filling Station, Rodeingfoot, Ballymoney.
Spence’s Garage, New St, Portglenone.
Worms for fishing – lob worms and dendros or dendrobaenas are available from Leansmount Worms in Belfast. Contact Paul Downing on 0771 391 6029
Bann River (Lower)
The best places to fish here are Toome/Lough Beg, Gilmore’s Shore and Agivey-Drumaheglis
There is a 14-mile stretch downstream from the eel weir at Toome, including Lough Beg and Newferry, to Portna lock gates. Gilmore’s shore has a 1-1/2 mile stretch upstream of Portna lock gates and has 100 pegs and a car park.
To get there go across the Bann bridge at Kilrea, taking the first road on right and next on left. Regulations are posted on the gate. There is also a 3-mile stretch from Agivey bridge downstream to Drumaheglis marina. Fishing is only permitted from the bankside. You can fish from both sides of the river except at Gilmore’s shore. Fishing is good all year round.
Fish to be caught are bream, hybrids, perch, pike, and roach.
Permits can be obtained from local tackle shops or by post from Bann System Ltd, Dundarave, Bushmills BT57 8ST. Tel (0126 57) 31215.
Bann River (Lower)
Fishing is possible on the half-mile stretch north of the Bann bridge at Portglenone, downstream of the community centre below the bridge.
The fish are bream, hybrids, perch, pike, and roach.
Permits are available from Kingfisher Angling Centre, 24 Hiltonstown Rd, Portglenone BT44 8EG. Tel- (01266) 821301
Fishing worms are available from Leansmount Worms in Belfast or Lurgan. Contact Paul Downing on 0771 391 6029