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Coarse Fishing Ireland's East Coast
Castleblaney
Castleblaney is located on the shores of the magnificent Lough Muckno. There are also a number of smaller lakes in the area including the Gas Lake, Smith’s Lake, Malone’s Lake and Killygola that provide the angler with a variety of quality angling venues.
Lough Muckno
covers an area of 325 hectares with depths to 20m. There are a number of excellent
fishing locations on this lake including White Island, Black Island, Concra
Wood, South Lodge and Toome Point. This lake holds huge stocks of fish including
bream, rudd, roach, hybrids, tench, perch and pike.
Lough Muckno is located off the N2 on the eastern side of
Castleblaney. This lake covers an area of 325 hectares with depths to 20m.
There are a number of well established fishing locations on this lake including
White island, Black Island, Concra Wood, South Lodge and Toome Point. This
lake holds huge stocks of fish including bream, rudd, roach, hybrids, tench,
perch and pike.
White Island is accessed through the gates to Hope Castle to the east of the town. This is by far the most popular coarse fishing venue on the lake and produces many 100lb bags annually. Waggler, pole and feeder methods all produce results at this location. The most popular swims are located below the wooded area on the eastern shoreline of the island. Fishing in this area is to about 6m but there is a shelf which can snag the feeder so fish it short. A platform is of great assistance in this area. There is excellent parking available in the field but anglers must be aware that the access road is liable to flooding during certain periods of the year.
Black Island is accessed as for White Island. Stay left on the roadway and you will find parking for your vehicle next to the wooden bridge across the river. There is a walkway through the wooded area that leads to a number of swims. Anglers can expect to fish into depths of 5m to 7m in this area.
Concra Wood is located by turning right off the N2 onto the N53 as you enter Castleblaney. After approximately 1.5km there is a signposted laneway to the left which indicates the way to this location. There are many swims in this area and it is a popular competition venue. Fishing is generally into depths of 3m to 4m. but depths to 9m are possible off the Belfast steps. This area produces great catches of quality roach but all the other species listed are regularly taken.
South Lodge is accessed, as for Concra wood except the left turn is located 2.5km along the N53. This turn is signposted and takes you directly to the lakeside. This is an excellent fishing venue located close to the road and is a suitable for disabled anglers or those with reduced mobility. Fishing on the inside of the islands is to around 5m to 6m. This venue regularly produces good catches of roach, bream and hybrids. There is excellent roadside car parking in this location. There is also a slipway here where boats can be launched.
Toome Point is directly across from south point and is best accessed from the same direction. Access is through a gateway at the end of the promontory. This shoreline is clear and anglers can expect to locate depths from 3m to 8m. Feeder methods are effective and good catches of skimmers and roach are recorded at this location. Catches of bream, hybrids and perch are also regularly produced.
The Gas Lake is located on the northern end of Castleblaney on the R181 Keady road and is really an extension of Lough Muckno to which a short river connects it. Access is best from the western side from the Keady road. Fishing stands are provided to facilitate anglers but these may be partially covered during high water conditions. This lake covers an area of x hectares with depths to xm. It contains good stocks of bream, roach, hybrids, tench and pike. This is a popular fishery due to its proximity to the town.
Smith’s Lake or Drumcrew Lough covers an area of 2 hectares with depths to 2m. The lake margins are soft and gets a growth of lillies during the summer period thus indicating the shallow nature of the water. Parking is difficult and swims are located on the eastern shoreline. This is a popular pole fishing venue. This lake contains good stocks of bream, roach, tench and perch.
Malone’s Lake or Corrinshigo Lough covers an area of 4 hectares with depths up to 4m. Stands are provided and parking is on the roadside. Anglers should take care on this busy road. The lake contains stocks of bream, roach, rudd, perch and pike. Swims are located close to the road and all methods produce results.
Killygola Lake
is located approximately 2km north of Castleblaney on the R181 Keady Road.
Parking is limited on this road and anglers should exercise great caution.
The margins of the lake are very soft and treacherous in places and access
is limited. The best chance of access is on the eastern shore from the Keady
road. This lake holds stocks of bream, roach, tench, perch and pike. It also
contains a large stock of rudd to specimen size 1.021kgs. Local contact; Frankie
Poyntz, Park Road, Drumillard, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, Ireland. Tel: 00353
42 9740954
Carrickmacross town is surrounded by a host of lakes, which produce excellent catches annually. Venues to the east of the town include Monalty Lake, Lough na Glack, Lisanisk, Capragh, Corcrin, Spring Lough and Lisnashannagh. Lough Fea is located to the west with Descart, Clonturk, Reilly’s, Rahans and Derry Lough lying to the south of the town.
Monalty lake
covers an area of 16 hectares with depths to 6m. This lake holds good stocks
of fish including roach, rudd, bream, hybrids, tench, pike and eels. Bream,
hybrids and tench to specimen size are to be found in this water and annually
it records many specimen bream over 9 and 10lbs in weight. Maggots, sweetcorn
and bread are all effective baits. Anglers fishing in the early months of
March and April and the later months of August, September and October produce
the best results.
Lough na Glack covers approximately 12 hectares with depths to 7m located in the North East quadrant of the lake. Depths elsewhere in the lake range from 3m to 5m. In former years, this water produced very large bream catches but catches of specimen bream have declined in recent years. However, this lake still produces excellent tench and roach fishing. Feeder, slider and pole are all effective.
Lisanisk is a 5 hectare lake with a maximum depth of 2.5m which produces great tench fishing. A number of large carp have also been taken in recent times. This lake also holds good stocks of bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike. Lisanisk has a very weedy bottom and is best fished by float or pole.
Corcrin Lake covers 3 hectares approximately and has depths to 6m. This lake contains tench to specimen size and good stocks of bream, rudd, roach, perch and pike. Parking is difficult on the narrow road. A number of fishing stands have been provided on the northern shoreline and swims are cut around the lake.
Spring Lough this is an excellent pike fishery and covers an area of 14 hectares with depths to 6m. You will find deep water off the rod tip if fishing from the shore but spaces are limited. A small road runs from the west of the lake right to its southern shoreline but access is difficult. This lake is reed fringed and overgrown in places and it is best fished from a boat.
Capragh Lake
covers an area of approximately 12 hectares and has depths ranging from 3m
to 12m. It contains bream to specimen size and good stocks of roach, rudd,
tench, perch and pike. Pike anglers will also find it possible to launch a
boat at this venue.
Lough Fea is a 36 hectare private fishery. Day permits can be purchased at the lodge house for a nominal fee. This lake contains good stocks of bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, perch and pike. Tench to over 6lbs have been taken on this lake and a number of swims are available on the northern shoreline. Boats are not permitted on this water.
Drumconrath Village is surrounded by a number of small to medium sized lakes and is only a short journey from many of the other angling centres mentioned above. Lakes in the area include Corstown Lake, Ballyhoe lakes 1 and 2, Mentrim lakes, Lough Bracken and Balrath lake
Mentrim Lake covers approximately 4 hectares and has been developed to a high standard with depths to 5m. The lake holds good stocks of bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, tench, perch, pike and eels with bream and hybrids to specimen size (7.5lbs and 3lbs respectively)
Corstown Lake
leaving Drumconrath on the R165 to Kingscourt, turn right for Carrickmacross
at the top of the town. Corstown is located approximately 1.25kms outside
Drumconrath on the right hand side of the road. The lake is sign posted and
a small roadway of 1km takes you to the lakeshore where you will find good
parking. This lake covers an area of 12 hectares and has excellent fishing
stands on the northern, southern and eastern shorelines. The lake is a good
match fishing venue and has depths to 8.5m with the deepest area located in
the northeastern quadrant. The lake holds good stocks of bream, roach, hybrids,
perch, pike and eels.
Rahan’s Lake
covers an area of 25 hectares with depths ranging from 1m to 6.5m. The deepest
area being the central area at the northern end of the lake. Rahan contains
good stocks of roach, bream, hybrids, tench, perch and pike. Stands and good
car parking are available. It is also possible to launch a boat from the slipway.
Descart Lake covers an area of 8 hectares with depths varying from .5m to 4.5m with the deepest area located in the North East quadrant of the lake. There are some stands on the South East shoreline and a number of swims have also been cut. Some of the shoreline on this lake is extremely soft. The lake holds good stocks of roach, rudd, bream, hybrids, tench, perch and pike.
Reilly’s Lake is a 1 hectare lake. Fishing stands are in place. It contains rudd to specimen size as well as stocks of roach, bream, hybrids, perch and pike.
Clonturk Lake covers an area of 1 hectare with depths to 3m. It contains a large stock of tench as well as roach, bream and pike. Access is by way of a laneway and anglers are requested not to park in this laneway. A number of fishing stands are in place on the western shoreline
Lisnashannagh covers an area of approximately 2 hectares with depths to 5m. This lake holds good stocks of bream, tench and rudd to specimen size as well as roach, perch, pike and carp. Parking is limited. The margins of the lake are extremely soft so anglers should ensure they fish from a solid bank. A number of fishing stands have been provided by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. Local contact: Peadar O’Brien, Lakewood, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Tel: 00 353 42 9663207
Balrath Lake covers an area of about 1 hectare with depths to 3.5m. It holds reasonable stocks of small fish including bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, pike and perch.
The Ballyhoe Lakes: Ballyhoe1
covers approximately 11 hectares and depths from 3.5m to 4m with the deepest
area just south of centre. This lake can be weeded in summer so float methods
can produce the best results. Feeder methods work well earlier in the season.
This lake holds good stocks of bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, perch, pike, tench
and eels. Bream, tench and hybrids to specimen size can be expected.
The Ballyhoe Lakes: Ballyhoe 2
covers an area of 16 hectares with depths to 8m. The deepest area is in the
North Eastern quadrant. The Lagan river that flows from Ballyhoe 2 also holds
good stocks of coarse fish.
Monaghan Town and its satellite villages of Emyvale, Glaslough, Scotstown, Ballinode and Tydavet are surrounded by a host of great angling venues, which contain stocks of fish to satisfy the expectations of all coarse anglers. Among the most popular venues in the area are Peter’s Lake, Drumreask, Quig Lough, Astrish, Killyboley, Monmurry and Glaslough. The Rossmore Park Lakes are located in the Coillte Forest Park southwest of Monaghan and consist of a number of lakes including Castle Lake, Priestfield Lake, the Twin Lakes and Barnhill Lake.
Peter’s Lake covers less than 1 hectare with depths to 3m. This lake holds good stocks of roach, bream, hybrids and pike. Tench to over 5lbs have also been taken at this venue. All methods work at this popular venue but it can favour the pole as the lake gets a growth of lillies in the summer. There is excellent parking in the car park off Glaslough Street and on the nearby road.
Drumreask Lake
covers an area of 4 hectares with depths to 4m. The lake is reed fringed with
a soft shoreline. The best access is on the southern shoreline from the car
park or the stands from the road. Drumreask has good stocks of bream, roach,
rudd, hybrids, pike and tench to over 6lbs.
Quig Lough
covers an area of 12 hectares with depths to 4.5m. Access is best from the
northern end through a large iron gate, which must be kept closed at all times.
A number of fishing stands are provided on the eastern shoreline of this reed
fringed lake. Quig Lough holds a good stock of fish including tench to over
6lbs. Other species available include roach, rudd, bream, hybrids, perch and
pike.
Astrish Lake is a small 2 hectare lake which contains good stocks of tench. This water also contains rudd, perch and pike.
Killyboley Lake covers an area of 6 hectares and contains a stock of tench, rudd,
perch and pike
Monmurry Lake covers an area of 10 hectares and contains stocks of bream, rudd, perch and pike
The Rossmore Park Lakes are located in the Coillte Forest Park on the R189 3km southwest of Monaghan town. There are a number of lakes in this cluster with the most popular angling venues being the Twin Lakes, Castle Lake, Priestfield Lake and Barnhill Lake
Lough Bracken is controlled by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board with fishing by permit only and subject to certain rules and regulations, details of which may be obtained from the board (E.R.F.B). Although primarily a game fishery, it holds good stocks of bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, perch and eels. This lake also holds some very big pike and several fish over 30lbs are taken annually. Local contact: Ann Finnegan, Athmush, Kilmainhamwood, Co Meath. Tel: 00 353 46 9052115
Stephenstown Pond is located close to Knockbridge, Co. Louth with an area approximately 1 hectare and with depths to 4.5m. This fishery is well developed and there are facilities to cater for disabled anglers. This is a specialist carp fishery. Permits are required and are available from Brodigan Stores, Knockbridge, Co. Louth. Tel: 00 353 42 9374475.
Kingscourt, Co. Cavan is surrounded by a number of small lakes that produce some excellent catches annually. The largest of the lakes are Whitewood and Ervey, which are complimented by smaller lakes including Muff and the Breakey lakes. Kingscourt is also strategically placed being close to the Ballyhoe Lakes, Derry Lough, Descart and Rahan’s.
Ervey Lake straddles the Meath-Cavan border and covers an area of 18 hectares with depths to 6m. The deepest part of the lake is located in the northeastern quadrant. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board has provided a new car park and slipway on this water. Ervey contains a good stock of roach, tench, bream, hybrids and perch. This lake is also an excellent pike fishery and contains good numbers of pike to specimen size.
Breakey Lakes are located 7.5kms southwest of Kingscourt. The larger lake covers an area of 10 hectares with depths to 7m. This lake contains excellent stocks of pike, perch and bream. It is also quite easy to launch a boat on this lake. The smaller lake covers an area of about 3 hectares with depths to 5m. It too contains good stocks of pike and perch.
Whitewood Lake
covers an area of 35 hectares and has depths in excess of 10m on the eastern
shoreline. Northern swims are shallow <2m and ideal casting distance is
around 15m. Whitewood lake contains excellent stocks of roach as well as bream,
hybrids, perch and pike. Access is best from the western shoreline, where
a spacious car park and slipway are provided. Local contact: Pat Burns, Angling
Services, Main Street, Kingscourt, Co Cavan. Tel: 00 353 42 9667342