Angling

The Ballybay area has unspoiled landscape, wildlife, beautiful scenery and lots lo do for both locals and visitors alike. The most prominent element that Ballybay has to offer is its many lakes and rivers available for fishing in, recommended by angler groups worldwide. These lakes and rivers are here for your enjoyment and coarse anglers will find good stocks of bream, roach, tench, carp, pike and perch. Game anglers can enjoy salmon fishing as well as wild, brown and rainbow trout fishing.

Many fishermen return annually as they just can not get enough of the spott and the entertainment provided by the town in the evening time. The recently opened and wonderfully developed Wetlands Centre is a wetland site, recognised as being a regionally important site for wintering migratory bird life including Whooper swan and Siberian Widgeon. As well as a year-round refuge for a wide spectrum of waterfowl, the 65 acre Derryvalley Farm and newly constructed Wetlands Centre offer an unparalleled venue for the study and appreciation of a unique wildlife experience. As well as some breath taking views of what Monaghan is famed for, rolling green hills and peaceful reed surrounded lakes.

Jump to: Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Pike Fishing

Coarse Fishing

The centres based in the Erne Catchment in Monaghan - Ballybay, Rockcorry, Newbliss, Bawn/Latton and Clones - are within a compact geographical area and are only a short journey from each other. Ballybay is a market town located on the shores of Lough Major. It is a haven for the coarse angler with the challenging Dromore river system right on its door-step.

Lough Major
At the headwaters of the Dromore river, is a 23 hectare lake situated at the eastern edge of Ballybay. It is a competition water adjacent to the town amenity area with a car-park and is highly developed with numerous access points, a surfaced shore road with lay-bys, anglers’ paths, fishing stands and cleared swims. There are large areas of reedy shore line 2-3 metres deep. It is a particularly good bream water.

Tonyscallon Lake
Is located in Doohamlet village along the roadside 4km from Ballybay on the Castleblayney road and covers an area of approximately 3 hectares. There is easy access from the parking area and bank fishing is possible. The lake contains very good bream.

Derryvalley Lake
Is a small lake with access developed and car-park 1km out of Ballybay on the Clones road. There is bank fishing from the car park. The lake contains good tench and has recently been stocked with small carp.

Dromore River Lakes
The following are a series of reeded lakes which form part of the river a short distance from Ballybay beside the Clones road.

Convent (Corries) Lake
Is located on the lower town side of the river with access from the Clones road. The lake offers exceptionally good fishing in comparatively shallow water. Enquire locally about access.

Rectory Lake
Is situated on the Clones road and is ideal for the pleasure angler. There is a limited amount of bank space but bank fishing is possible.

Wilsons (Coolderry) Lake
Is heavily reeded and access is difficult so boat fishing is the best option. This lake contains bream up to 8lbs.

McCabes (Aikens) Lake
Access to this lake is by boat along the Dromore River system. Downstream from this chain of lakes, the Dromore River continues to the White Lakes system which has access points at most notably, Baird’s Shore, Lisgillen and Anney.

White Lake - Baird’s Shore
Covers an area of 54 hectares, is 4km downstream of Ballybay and is approached off the Rockcorry road. There are clear banks, 3-4 metres deep and the lake is noted for big fish - tench, pike and bream. Boat fishing in White Lake is popular. There is roadside access and car parking along Baird’s Shore. There are anglers car parks at Lisgillen and Anney. Fishing is from both stands andbank.

Balladian, Ballycoghill and Ballynascarva Bridges
These three bridges are on the Dromore River in succession going downstream from Ballybay to Cootehill and have all got adjacent fishing areas. Access is possible at all bridges and bank fishing is available.

Mullanary Lake
Is a 35 hectare lake 3km out of Ballybay on the R190 to Cootehill on the left. There are 30 roadside swims and a dedicated stand for disabled anglers. Car parking is available at the roadside along the lake shore. The lake contains good bream.

Lisnalong Lake
Is located 4.5km out of Ballybay on the R190 to Cootehill alongside the road on the left. This 8 hectare reedy lake has a car-park, stands and swims. Good for tench.

Annamakerrig Lake
Is situated in a scenic forestry area and the shoreline is shallow in places out to 10 metres and then there is a sudden drop. There is good fishing at the edge of the shelf. Anglers fishing this water should note that access is along a private road and that cars should be parked with care to avoid disruption to traffic accessing the Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

Coravoo Lake
Take the R190 to Cootehill from Ballybay and turn right 4km out by the R193 towards Rockcorry and over Ballycoghill Bridge to the lake on the left. There is a carpark here. Access is over private lands by permission of the owner.

Killyvaghan Lake
Is situated at Ballynascarva Bridge, 4km downstream of Ballybay. It covers an area of approximately 20 hectares. Car-parking is possible at the bridge and then there is a long walk to the eastern shore for bream fishing by long-distance ledgering. The car-park at Killyvaghan Lake serves the river below Ballynascarva Bridge where good fishing is possible in pools in the Dromore River under the old railway bridge.

Drumsaul Lake
Can be accessed at the County Council pumphouse. Fishing is from stands to the right. There is good bream in this lake.

Drumate Lake
Is off the Newbliss/Ballybay road and has a lakeside car park. There is comfortable shore fishing with circa 20 pegs. The lake contains good roach.

Lough Avaghan
Lies 8km out of Ballybay off the R162 to Shercock (signposted right). Access for coaches and cars is off the R190 Ballybay-Cootehill road. It is a scenic lake of some 54 hectares with parking at the lakeside. There are many areas of clear bank with deep water.

Lough Bawn
And associated waters within the boundary of the Lough Bawn Estate are private.

Derrygoony (White) Lough
Is approx 23 hectares . It can be approached from a stile near Cortubber post office, over 3 fields, or from the Billy Fox Memorial Park. There are some good banks at this lake.

Corlatt Lake, Shantonagh Lake
These series of lakes drain into the Knappagh River and the River Annalee. It must be noted that the majority of these waters contain most of the coarse fish species with the exception of bream and tench but are regarded as very good pike fisheries.

Ballytrain Upper, Sreenty, and Avattan are also noted local fisheries in this area.

Game Fishing

The Bunnoe River
Flows south from Newbliss to join the Annalee at Lisboduff. There is excellent trout fishing from Magheratemple in the middle reaches to the confluence with the Annalee. Permits are available from Mr Patrick McCaul, Scotshouse. Tel: (047) 56013.

The Derryvalley River and the Dromore system
Produce some game fish. Enquire locally.

Corkeeran Lake
Near to Mullanary, has been stocked with trout by a local club. Enquire locally.

Moyduff Lake
Is a 45 hectare lake approx. 5km from Shercock in the angle of the R192 Shercock-Cootehill road and the R162 to Ballybay. The lake holds brown and rainbow trout. Fishing is by fly only from the shore and permits are available from Mr Peter Smith, Moyduff, Shercock, Co Cavan (at lake side). This lake is a Northern Regional Fisheries Board Trout Fishery. Season open from May 1st to 30th September.

Lough Mourne
Lies 4 km from Shercock near Lough Egish in the angle of the R181 road to Castleblayney and the R180 Ballybay- Carrickmacross road. This lake is also approx. 45 hectares and contains brown trout. Fishing is by fly only from the bank. Club Controlled. Enquire locally.

Knappagh River
From the Billy Fox Memorial Park to the confluence with the Annalee River, the Knappagh Water has been controlled and developed as a wild brown trout fishery by the Bawn Rod and Gun Club. All lawful methods are allowed. There is no bag or size limits but anglers are expected to return undersized fish carefully to the water. Season permits are available from Mr Pat Boyle, Lacken, Latton P.O., Castleblayney (042) 9669757.

Pike Fishing

The Dromore River and Lakes
Downstream of Ballybay to upstream of the county bridge on the Cootehill- Ballybay road are productive pike fisheries, most effectively fished by boat. Bank fishing is possible at the following locations: White Lake at Lisgillen,Baird’s Shore and Anney. Also Drumlona Lake.

White Lake - Baird’s Shore
Covers an area of 54 hectares, is 4km downstream of Ballybay and is approached off the Rockcorry road. There are clear banks, 3-4 metres deep and the lake is noted for big fish. Boat fishing in White Lake is popular. There is roadside accessand car parking along Baird’s Shore.

Lough Avaghan
Lies 8km out of Ballybay off the R162 to Shercock (signposted right). Access for coaches and cars is off the R190 Ballybay-Cootehill road. It is a scenic lake of some 80 hectares with parking at the lakeside. There are many areas of clear bank with deep water.

Derrygoony (White) Lough
Is approx 40 hectares . It can be approached from a stile near Cortubber post office, over 3 fields, or from the Billy Fox Memorial Park. There are some good banks at this lake.

Corlatt Lake, Shantonagh Lake
These series of lakes drain into the Knappagh River and the River Annalee. It must be noted that the majority of these waters contain most of the coarse fish species with the exception of bream and tench but are regarded as very good pike fisheries. The waters within the Bawn/Latton area that are in the boundaries of the Lough Bawn Estate are private waters.

Lough Egish
Is a very large fishery which covers an area of approximately 117 hectares. It is a valuable pike fishery with adequate access and is best fished with a boat.