On these pages we introduce Northern Irelands main fishing locations, including rivers, loughs and sea fishing spots as well. Presentation is not comprehensive but we have picked destinations we have found worth to visit. Pages are updated reguraly and new locations will be added through out the season. Have fun and enjoy! All the photos are clickable to enlarge.

The Foyle is one of the richest game fishing systems in Europe and one of the best salmon waters in the world! The Foyle Basin covers 3,670 sq km and spans the Donegal Border and the districts of Strabane, Omagh, Londonderry and Limavady. Due to the variety of the rivers that make up the system, the region has an exceptionally long season, stretching from April to October. Each river is at its best during particular weather conditions which means that there is an opportunity to fish whether high or low water. It is estimated that 10,000 salmon are caught annually by anglers, while brown trout and sea trout are also abundant.

Situated close to the Giants Causeway on the North Antrim coast the River Bush offers top class salmon fishing to the visiting angler. Though the river is managed primarily for ecological research studies into the life cycle of Atlantic salmon, game angling of the highest quality is made available to the public on almost all of the river. Angling on the lower part of the river has been divided into several day ticket stretches to give the best sport possible, with a variety of methods available to suit conditions. The river is a ‘flash spate’ water and does not remain in top class order for extended periods. The addition of the Dundarave stretch in 2006 which is a good Salmon holding area should extend the fishing opportunities. When in form, however, it provides excellent sport. There are named pools on each of the day ticket stretches, and anglers are expected to follow fishing etiquette and move from pool to pool.

Close to the North Antrim coast the unrestricted stretch of the river Bush offers the chance of a good day’s sport in a variety of delightful settings. From the downstream limit at Walkmills to Stroan Bridge the river is mainly slow moving and fairly deep with isolated fords, and flows between high banks. From Stroan Bridge to Magherahoney the pace of the river quickens and faster flowing water over gravel begins to predominate. However, there are deeper pools and a fair chance of making contact with a good salmon. The brown trout fishing is also of a high order. Above Magherahoney the river changes to a mountain stream with water cascading over large boulders and small but deep pools with extensive bush cover. The chance of a salmon in this reach is much diminished but there is a good stock of small brownies and on the right day the sport can be fast and furious.