Cavan Game Angling
Lough Sheelin, Mountnugent
Lough Sheelin is 4 miles long and one mile wide. It has an area of 4500 acres (1800 Hectares) approx and is one of the most famous wild Brown Trout fisheries in Europe. The lake boasts a good Mayfly hatch annually.
• Season: The season begins in March when the trout are feeding on freshwater shrimp and freshwater louse. Useful fly patterns are Hares Ear, Claret & Mallard, Sooty Olive; even a large black lure e.g. Sweeney Todd, fished on the point on a sink tip line.
Download County Cavan Angling Guide for further information.
• Permits: a Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (ShRFB) permit is required and is available from their office at the lake.
t: +353 (0)49 433 6144 or head office t: +353 (0) 61 300 238
e: angler.support@shrfb.ie
web: www.shrfb.ie to purchase online
• Regulations:
o Daily Bag limit: 4 Trout.
o Size limit: 14 inches – 35 cms.
o A comprehensive set of other regulations apply. Contact the ShRFB for details.
Annagh Lake, Butlersbridge
This fine lake near Butlersbridge is stocked with Rainbow Trout annually. Bank fishing is not allowed and there are eight boats available for hire. There are good hatches of duckfly and sedges during the angling season and traditional fly patterns will suffice.
• Season: 1st March to 30th September.
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only.
• Permits:
o Dessie McEntee
t: +353 (0)49 433 8384
o Terry Keegan
t: +353 (0)49 436 2110
• Regulations: Bag Limit: Four Trout with a size limit of 12 inches.
Creenagh Lake, Killeshandra
Mixed trout fishery located 3 miles outside Killeshandra off the R201 Carrigallen Road. Fishing from bank and boat. Boats available on site. Day and half day permits available.
• Season: 1st May to 31st October.
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only.
• Permits: The Shamrock Inn, Main Street, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan
t: +353 (0)49 433 4139 .
• Regulations: Bag Limit: Four trout limit.
Moyduff Lake
This lake lies between Shercock and Cootehill and is stocked annually with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. There are hatches of Duckfly, Olives and Sedges and traditional imitations, wet and dry are effective. Bank fishing only with some stands from the north and south shores.
• Season: 1st May to 30th September.
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only.
• Permits:
o Joe Mulligan, c/o Duffy’s Supermarket, Main Street, Shercock
t: +353 (0)42 966 9184
o CJ’s, Bridge Street, Cootehill
t: +353 (0)49 555 2153 or t: +353 (0)87 988 2836
• Regulations: Bag Limit: Six Trout with a size limit of 10 inches.
Lough Acurry, Grousehall
Located on the Cavan town -Bailieborough Road (R165), this fishery holds a stock of wild Brown Trout which is supplemented annually with hatchery reared fish. Fishing is from a good bank. The best of the fishing is in the summer evenings where sedge patterns including the Murrough. Trout to over 5 lbs. reported annually.
• Season: 1st March to 30th September
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only
• Permits: Mr. Eddie Kelly, Stragelliff, Cavan
t: +353 (0)49 433 1540
Holy Lake, Belturbet
This lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and can only be fished by boat. Trout to over 6 lbs. have been recorded. Depending on season, Dryfly, Wetfly and Nymph patterns all successful.
• Season: 1st March to 31st October.
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only.
• Permits & Boat Hire: Ian Elliott, Belturbet Trout Club, Belturbet
t: +353 (0)49 952 2865 .
• Regulations: Bag Limits: Three Trout per half day with a size limit of 12 inches.
River Erne, Belturbet
The River upstream of the town bridge at Kilconny to the Railway viaduct is developed for Brown Trout fishing by the local Angling Club. There are a good variety of fly hatches and wet and dry patterns produce some fine fishing.
• Season: 1st March to 30th September.
• Angling Methods: Fly fishing only.
• Permits: Gerry Walsh, Belturbet
t: +353 (0)49 952 2359 .
• Regulations: Bag Limit: Three Trout with a size limit of 10 inches.
River Annalee
This long river rises in Lough Sillan at Shercock and is joined by the Dromore River below Cootehill. The Cavan Anglers Club control the section of river upstream from Ballyhaise to Ballynallon. Good hatches of Olives and Sedges occur. There is some good fishing at Deredis near Butlersbridge and upstream of Cootehill in the stretch below Knappagh Bridge.
• Season: 1st March to 30th September.
• Angling Methods: All legitimate methods but check riverside notices and regulations on permit.
• Permits: Donohoe’s Bar, Ballyhaise
t: +353 (0)49 433 8142 .
• Regulations: Bag Limit: As per club rules – see local permit.
Rivers Bunroe and Laragh
Two tributaries that join the river below Cootehill. Trout to over 3 lbs. are reported annually. Local day permits can be purchased.
• Season: 1st March to 30th September.
• Angling Methods: All legitimate methods but check riverside notices and regulations on permit.
• Permits:
o River Bunnoe – Mr. Seamus Hughes, Cootehill
t: +353 (0)47 55067
o River Laragh – Brady’s Bar, Laragh House, Stradone
t: +353 (0)49 433 0168
• Regulations: Bag Limit: As per club rules – see local permit
The Kells Blackwater
The largest tributary of the River Boyne is fed by Lough Ramor in County Cavan. This river has all the usual fly hatches associated with a limestone river with sedges and olives being important. Presently the best of the brown trout angling on this river is on the waters managed by Kells Angling Club. This includes the stretches from the Nine-Eyed Bridge at its source to Mabes Bridge, which is located just north of Kells.
• Season: 1st March to 15th September.
• Angling Methods: Fly-fishing, dry fly, wet fly, and nymph fishing.
• Permits
o The Flying Sportsman Sports Shop, Carrick Rd, Kells, Co. Meath
t: +353 (0) 46 924 0205
o The Sports Gallery, Castle Street, Kells, Co. Meath
t: +353 (0) 46 924 0114
• Regulations: Bag Limit: As per permit