Salmon and sea trout fishing in Donegal

  1. Duff
  2. Drowes
  3. Melvin
  4. Erne Estuary
  5. Eske
  6. Eany
  7. Glen
  8. Owenea
  9. Gweebarra
  10. Rosses
  11. Clady and Crolly
  12. Tullaghobegley and Ray
  13. Lackagh & Lough Beagh
  14. Crana and Fullerton

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Home » Salmon and Sea trout fishing » Donegal »

Lackagh Fishery and Lough Beagh

The Lackagh is closed to salmon (and sea trout over 40cm) angling for 2012

This fishery comprises the Lackagh River, Owencarrow River, Glen Lough and Lough Beagh. Inland Fisheries Ireland now manage the left bank of the Lackagh, the western third of Glen Lough and the left bank of the Owencarrow river. Duchas control the fishing on Lough Beagh with the remainder of the fishery being in private hands, although the Letterkenny and District Anglers Association do have the fishing rights for the right banks of some of the Owencarrow.

The Lackagh fishery has been developed over recent years, resulting in improved access. Further development work is planned over the next few years with the main focus on habitat improvement and river enhancement. The Lackagh is a short river of only 2 miles flowing from Glen Lough to Sheephaven Bay, which is noted for its good runs of spring salmon, grilse and sea trout. The spring run starts in January and continues to March. Grilse start to run at the end of June and continue all though July whilst a small run of autumn salmon appears in September. Sea trout are at their best from July. Any spinning method works well. Fly fishers prefer a ½ inch Willie Gunn tube fly for the spring salmon and the Badger or a shrimp fly for the rest of the season. Sea trout fish best at night on a size 10-12 fly with the best patterns being Mallard and Claret, Donegal Blue, Connemara Black or a Peter Ross.

Glen Lough has been slow to recover from the outbreak of UDN that occurred in the mid ‘70s and as such only a few spring salmon are now taken, usually in April/May. On a more positive note, a 28lb salmon was recorded for 1985. Glen Lough is now noted for sea trout, with an average weight of approximately 1½lbs. Dapping results in a slightly bigger fish with an average weight of around 2lb. The lough has a healthy population of brown trout that can weigh up to 3 to 4lb. (A brown trout weighing 9lb was recorded in the late 80’s). Recommended flies are the Peter Ross, Teal Blue and Silver, Wickham’s Fancy, Butcher and Connemara Black. Bank fishing is not allowed on the lough shores.

The Owencarrow is a 4-mile stretch of river connecting Lough Beagh to Glen Lough. A large section of this river is deep and slow. These sections require a stiff breeze to fish well when a drawn fly can be effective.

Lough Beagh is located in the heart of the Glenveagh National Park. It is primarily a trout fishery but can produce the occasional salmon. Sea trout tend to run late with the best fishing from August onwards. The average weight for sea trout is 3 to 4lbs. Recommended flies are much the same as Glen Lough but the Fiery Brown and the Alexandra are also worth trying. The resident brown trout population tends to be fairly small, running from ½lb to 1lb, but 2lb and 3lb fish are regularly taken every season. The lough also has a resident population of Arctic Char but these are not fished for. Fishing only starts on Lough Beagh when its resident birds have finished breeding (usually around mid-July). Bank fishing is not permitted and two boats are available on the lough.

Season

Permits

Glen Lough

Available from:
Mr Danny Lafferty, Creeslough Post Office, Creeslough, Co.Donegal.
Tel: (074) 9138001.

Lackagh River

Available from:
Mr Danny Lafferty, Creeslough Post Office, Creeslough, Co.Donegal.
Tel: (074) 9138001.

Lough Beagh

Available from

Licences are available from:

Boat Hire

Boat hire for Lough Beagh is available from:

Boat hire for Lough Glen is available from:

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