Home Mullingar Coarse Angling Centre

    Mullingar Coarse Angling Centre

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    Mullingar is a very busy and well established major Game and Coarse angling centre located in Co Westmeath in the Irish Midlands – and lies about 80 kms to the north west of Dublin. It is surrounded by some of the countries prime angling waters, including the Midland Trout Loughs.

    Multyfarnham village which is a neighbouring centre located 13 kms North of Mullingar in Co Westmeath  and lies about 90 kms from Dublin. This is regarded as a self catering holiday centre suitable for angling tourists.

    WHERE TO FISH  

    This guide covers the River Inny and Brosna systems, which consist of lakes and rivers, many renowned for coarse and pike fishing. Ballinafid Lake and other fisheries such as Lough Derravaragh in the system produce specimen fish. A few fisheries are wheelchair friendly i.e. Slevin’s Lake and the Royal Canal is suitable with easy bank access.

    A recent survey of the River Inny catchment has shown some excellent stocks of Pike, Bream and Hybrids in sections south of Derravaragh.

    Fishery Click Below
    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Pike
    N/P
    P
    ***
    *
    P
    P
    *
    **
    **
    P
    *
    **
    P
    *
    **
    *
    **
    *
    P
    P
    **
    *
    **
    **
    *
    **
    P
    P
    **
    *
    **
    **
    P
    P
    *
    ***
    *
    P
    P
    ****
    P
    ***
    N/P
    *
    N/P
    ***
    P
    P
    **
    **
    ***
    **
    *
    ***
    **
    ****
    **
    P
    **
    P
    P
    P
    **

     

    Lough Patrick

    This Fishery is located a few kilometres to the south east of Multyfarnham village.  It is a typical Tench fishery with a muddy bottom and marginal vegetation. As with most Tench fishing waters the best time to fish is early morning during May and June. Angling feedback is often very good here with good bags of fish possible and fish up to 7lbs. A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: There is roadside parking only. Access is fair but requires a walk of about 200m to access the shores. There is one fishing stand.

    TO GET THERE: From Multyfarnham village take the Multifarnham / Crookedwood road, the shores are located to the right of the roadside but required foot access for about 200 meters.

    Sheever Lake

    Sheever lake is approx 12 acres in size. The  lake holds a good stock of Bream, Roach and Bream Hybrids with some Pike and tends to fish best in April and May.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: This is an open shore fishery with good firm banks. The access road to this lake is private and subject to the land owners permission.

    TO GET THERE: From Mullingar take the main Mullingar/Castlepollard road to the round about taking the second exit. Sheever Lake is on the left hand side about ½ mile down the road accessed though private land and house and permission must be sought.

    Slevin’s Lake

    Slevin’s lake is approximately 40 acres in area, located very close to Mullingar town. Species include Bream and Tench predominantly. Other species present are Rudd, Roach, Perch and Hybrids and Pike.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: There is an access road into Slevin’s Lake , a car park capable of accommodating about 15 to 20 cars and 2 buses, a double fishing stand for disabled anglers and 12 other regular stands of International standard. There is a small inner concrete car park dedicated to disabled anglers which has wheelchair access via a concrete path to the stand. Other anglers can currently access the lake by walking a short distance to the 12 stands located on the Northern shoreline. Unfortunately litter has become a problem on this lake and we request anglers to take litter home and report any illegal dumping to Westmeath County Council. Tel: 044 93 32000 or 044 93 32177.

    TO GET THERE: Slevin’s Lake is located about 3 kms to the north west of Mullingar town . From Mullingar it is situated off the R394 Mullingar/Castlepollard road.

    Mc Evoy’s Lake

    Mc Evoy’s Lake, a small 2 acre fishery is in very close proximity to Slevin’s lake with access from the same roadway described above. Species present include a good stock of Rudd, Roach, Hybrids and occasional small Carp.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    ACCESS AND FACILITIES: Access is easy. There is some shore fishing here and a  fishing stand is available to anglers. Some shore fishing is available for about 3 to 4 anglers on a relatively clean bank. Parking is limited here and anglers are requested to use the main car park at Slevin’s and walk to this inner lake.

    TO GET THERE: As for Slevin’s Lake above but proceed to the first smaller car park on the same roadway into the Lake.

    Ballinafid Lake

    Ballinafid Lake is located North of Mullingar – to the North east of Lough Owel on the Longford Road N 4. It lies nearly equidistant from the Mullingar and Multyfarnham angling centres each of which will provide services and accommodation for anglers This is a small lake of about 6 acres and is regarded as a good Bream and Carp fishery. It also holds a good stock of Tench. Other species present include Rudd and Perch and Pike.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board has over recent years extended angling facilities on the lake This includes access road and car park for 10 vehicles. There is a catwalk with two double fishing stands and three single sections with double stands. This has opened up the eastern shore to anglers,  thus further extending angling possibilities here.

    Unfortunately litter has become a problem on this lake and we request anglers to take litter home and report any illegal dumping to Westmeath County Council. Tel: 044 93 32000 or 044 93 32177.

    TO GET THERE: Ballinafid Lake is situated about 8 kms west of Mullingar on the N4 Mullingar/Longford road, north of Lough Owel, beside the village of Ballinafid. To access the fishery take a left via a slip road off the main N4 road from Mullingar after The Covert (Restaurant & Public House).

    Lough Derravaragh

    Lough Derravaragh is located about 14 kms north west of Mullingar. Multyfarnham village is in close proximity off its southern shore and Castlepollard lies to the North East. Castlepollard is also a recognised angling centre offering facilities for visiting anglers. Should anglers wish to stay on this side of the lake, Castlepollard has plenty to offer.

    This is a long narrow Lough nearly 5 miles (8 kms) in length and an area of over 2700 acres (1080 hectares). The Northern part of the lake is wide and shallow with depths graduating from 1.5 meters at the margins to about 6 meters at the centre of the lake. The southern half of the lake narrows into a long deep neck with depths up to 20 meters at its southern most end.

    In recent years the fishery has produced several specimen Roach/Bream hybrids in 2008, verified by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee. It is regarded as a mixed fishery as it also supports brown trout population but is better known for its very good pike fishing.  The southern part of the lake is best for pike particularly around Clinton’s and Donore. While a boat offers a distinct advantage the southern neck of the lake at Crookedwood allows for excellent shore fishing subject to permission by local landowner.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Public access is at a number of points around the lake which include Clintons, Collure and Whitehall. At these points anglers have direct access to the lakeshore where a boat can be launched. particularly at Donore accessible through Multyfarnham.

    BOAT HIRE: is available from the Donore Caravan Park at the Multyfarnham end of the lake. Contact Paul Smith.

    Doolin Pond

    This pond was once used by the Inland Fisheries Ireland as an experimental Carp Fishery. This is a muddy pond which tends to weed up at times and has soft banks and reeded margins. It   can produce  good Rudd fishing (small fish), Roach and some Carp up to 8lbs.
    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Anglers can fish off a stand but requires a walk of 150 meters from the public roadway.

    TO GET THERE: From Mullingar take the Rochfordbridge R400 road. Turn left at Gaybrook cross. Turn left again up a bog road. The entrance to the Lake is located opposite Woodville House & Restaurant.

    River Inny

    The River Inny is over 50 km in length where you can expect very good fishing for Roach, Bream and Pike The section described here is from upstream of  Lough Derravaragh into Lough Iron and finally into Lough Ree. The River varies in depth from approximately 1.5 metres to over 3 metres in normal water levels.

    The best fishing stretches are at (a) Coolnagun (b) Inny Bridge (c) Ballycorkey Bridge. Lough Iron is fringed with dense weed beds and holds large Pike. There is no public access to the Lough except from the River Inny itself, a boat is required. Angling access is provided at the Bridges and in most cases extensive bank fishing is available up stream and down stream from these Bridges. There is a large stock of Pike in many locations throughout the length of the River with numerous hot spots. Fish of over 10 kgs are caught each season, the norm would be under 4 kgs.

    The River Inny above the bridge at Ballycorkey is a Hot Spot for Roach and below the bridge is especially noted for its good Bream. The section around Ballinalack on the N4 can produce good Roach fishing in late May and early June as they go to spawn.

    A permit is required and can be purchased online.

    Royal Canal

    There are coarse fish in all sections of the Canal. The most predominant species are Tench of 3lbs to 4lbs with the occasional larger fish present. There are also Bream, Perch and Pike. Noted areas around Mullingar are Kilpatrick’s Bridge, Ballinea Bridge, the Harbour at Pipers Boreen.  Fishing can be especially good in the harbour areas. Around Ballinea Bridge is generally a good stretch. There is a possibility of a Specimen Rudd at the ‘Deep Hole’ off Patrick’s Street in the direction of Athlone. There are good stocks of pike, some to double figures.

    Useful Angling Publications: “Waterways Ireland Angling guide” which is available free of charge from Waterways Ireland, see www.shopwaterwaysireland.org/index.php/waterways-ireland-angling-guide.html#

    Individual guides are on their website at: www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/Angling

    This is highly recommended as the best source of all information you will need, including ‘where and how to fish’, species distribution, best tactics and access points with full supporting map systems.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Access is generally excellent. At Kilpatrick’s Bridge there are suitable stands available for disabled anglers. A map of the Canals may be obtained from your local Tackle Dealers in Mullingar, Use the local contacts list right and check the Services Finder for Co Westmeath and Mullingar

    TO GET THERE: Ask for local directions from the town at your local tackle shops or obtain a map locally, or purchase the Guide recommended above to access all the various points and best fishing spots.

    Date of contribution: November, 2006

    Contributor: Colm Dunne: Leixlip, Co. Kildare Mobile: 0876835437 Name of Fishery: Canal Behind the pewter factory in Mullingar.

    I’ve fished this venue for the last 4 years and every year produces bags  to 74lb of primarily Tench. The biggest so far of 5lbs and each year gets better. Don’t forget to try even further up that stretch as have had big bags from the bowl section about 1km up from the main gate on the Mullingar side. Pole or float fishing works best with sweetcorn and red maggot but next year going to try pellets to see if they’ll take them.
    Enjoy.

    Date of Contribution: August 5th, 2002

    Andy Clements:   Evesham , UK  Tel  44 1386 4108  Email [email protected]
    provides some practical hints and tips to those interested in fishing the Royal Canal in this area

    ” Three notable areas always worth a try around Mullingar .

    1) At the new bridge on the outskirts of Mullingar when approached from Ballymahon. Try the town side of the bridge along the main channel from the bridge to the bowl for good size Tench and plenty of them. Red maggot and a little groundbait work well . Also the bowl area for Tench and plentiful Pike.

    2) In town at the old harbour . Head out of town toward the N4 taking signs for the hospital. After crossing the canal turn left into the hard standing area of the harbour . It’s a large rectangular harbour area with the main channel running across the top at around 20yds. Some very large Roach here on the edge of the channel on a feeder rig , you may think they are Hybrids but I can assure you they’re not ! . The main harbour area itself has a deep hole on the inside far right as you approach , worth trying for Tench if you can forget about the Roach .

    2) Behind the Pewter factory . Head away from Mullingar towards Dublin on the N4 . About a mile or so out of town the road becomes a dual carriageway . Stay in the right hand lane , you’ll see the factory on the right. Turn right before the factory and follow the lane to cross the canal . After crossing the canal enter the towpath on your left .
    Anywhere from 20 to 200 yds along is good for bigger than average Tench . They sometimes take a little while to get going but when they do its worth it !
    Also worth a try about half way between the bridges towards Dublin is a mini harbour area with a floating boat shed , stories of some really big Tench from here .

    A note for the Bream heads , we’ve never caught so much as a skimmer in five years from the Royal , perhaps we’re using the wrong bait !

     

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