Fermanagh is a name that echoes through every serious angler’s mind in Ireland. With its vast loughs, winding rivers, and remote mountain waters, it’s a county that rewards patient, curious, and well-equipped anglers — and I should know, I’ve spent many a happy day chasing trout, pike, and coarse fish across its wild stretches.
Here’s a local’s rundown of some of the best fishing spots in County Fermanagh, whether you're after brown trout on the fly or hauling pike from the deep.
🎣 Lower & Upper Lough Erne – Big Water, Big Opportunities
Let’s start with the heavyweight. Lower Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne are among Europe’s best coarse fisheries — and they’re also home to beautiful brown trout and monstrous pike.
Trout fishing peaks in May with the famous mayfly hatch.
Coarse anglers can target bream, roach, and rudd year-round.
Fly fishing for pike? Bring your big, flashy flies — on warm days, they’ll smash them near the surface.
⚠️ You’ll need a DAERA Game or Coarse licence and permit depending on your target species.
🐟 Ballinamallard River – Intimate Trout Water
If you prefer a quieter day, the Ballinamallard River is perfect. Small and manageable, it offers great dry fly action in spring and even the chance of a salmon from July onward.
Tactics: Dry fly early season, spinning or worming after rain.
Regulations: Catch and release for all salmon; 4-trout bag limit.
🐠 Killyfole & Lough Scolban – Coarse Anglers’ Playgrounds
These quieter, less crowded spots are well worth exploring:
Killyfole: Close to Lisnaskea, this gravel-bottomed lough is great for tench, roach, and bream. All legal coarse methods allowed.
Lough Scolban: A larger waterbody with good pike, perch, and bream. No permits required, but bring a DAERA Coarse Licence.
Tip: Keep your gear clean — invasive species are an issue in these systems.
🎣 Colebrooke River – Mixed Bag Magic
This stretch offers game and coarse species, including trout, salmon (late season), and lots of large pike.
Upper reaches: Good for salmon and trout.
Lower reaches (below Ballindarragh Bridge): Prime coarse fishing.
🚫 Boat fishing isn’t permitted here, but there’s great bank access.
🐟 Mountain Loughs – Wild Brown Trout & Scenery to Match
If you're up for a hike and a bit of solitude, try:
Lough Corry (Lisnaskea): Evening fly fishing is top-notch, and boat access is allowed (non-mechanical).
Keenaghan Lough (Belleek): Excellent wading and stone fishing stands. Strictly fly-only
Navar Lakes (Derrygonnelly): Glencreawan has both brown and rainbow trout, but is fly-only.
Tip: These loughs fish best in low light — try early mornings or evenings.
🌟 Hidden Highlights
Corrany Lough: Stocked with rainbow trout, this compact lough near Roslea has 11 fishing stands and easy access.
Mill Lough, Bellanaleck: Rainbow and brown trout, boat hire required from registered owners.
Upper Lough MacNean: Scenic, cross-border water with trout, pike, and bream. It’s a free fishery — no permit needed!
🎣 What You’ll Need
DAERA licence & permit (game or coarse depending on species)
Non-mechanical boat for most loughs (if you're not shore fishing)
Pike gear, fly rod, or float tackle — whatever your species, pack accordingly
👉 Grab what you need over at micksfishingtackle.com — we’ve got everything from deadbaits to dry flies and all the pike gear your back can carry.