Home Pike fishing around Ballygar Angling Centre

    Pike fishing around Ballygar Angling Centre

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    Athleague, Ballygar, Castlecoote and Glinsk, Co Galway and Roscommon are located in what’s popularly referred to as the River Suck Valley . The River Suck flows between the borders of counties East Galway and West Roscommon. The valley is a 5 mile wide corridor each side of the (mid) River Suck and lies about 10 – 15 kms from Roscommon town, 65 kms from Knock Airport, and 150 kms from Dublin airport.

    WHERE TO FISH  

    There are a number of important coarse and pike fishing venues in the area where you will find suitable access and facilities to fish, many developed by the Inland Fisheries Ireland – Limerick over the  years.

    The River Suck & Lakes is one of Ireland’s renowned pike fishing areas and well worth considering on your itinerary of fishing venues to Ireland. The River Suck produces many fine double figure fish each year with numerous specimens verified by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee year in year out.

     
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    icon Lough O’Flynn & Upper Suck Valley Angling Guide (2.99 MB)

    Hollygrove Lake

    Hollygrove is approx 40 acre lake located between Ballygar and Athleague, upstream of Rookwood Bridge on the River Suck system. It is within half a kilometre of the main River Suck. The lake is fairly shallow , typically 5 feet with two deep veins where bank fishing is best. It is primarily a Tench and Pike fishery. Pike to 25lbs+ have been recorded here over the years. Most Pike are caught trolling dead bait. Spinning from the Island has proved successful in the past using an American ‘Jerk’ bait.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Inland Fisheries Ireland  provides facilities on the fishery. There is an access road into the lake, car park (accommodation for about 6 cars) and footbridge providing access to the island which can accommodate up to 8 angling spaces on the shore. This compliments the stand on the road shore which is capable of accommodating up to 4 anglers. An Information Board is available at the entrance to the fishery.

    TO GET THERE: From Athleague take the N63 road to Ballygar a distance of about 6 kms. In Ballygar turn right at the village onto the R 362. About 6 kms from here you will meet Hollygrove cross roads, turn left and left again. The lake will be on the right hand side of the road.

    Stoneham’s Lake

    This is a lake of about 15 acres in area. It is on the Derryhippo River, a small tributary of the River Suck flowing from Creggs. The predominant species are hybrids, Rudd, Roach and Pike.

    FACILITIES & ACCESS

    Inland Fisheries Ireland provides an access road,  car park and 12 angling stands.

    TO GET THERE: The lake is situated north of Athleague within about 3 kms from Castlecoote village, immediately off the Castlecoote- Donamon Road – follow the signposts.

    Lough Loung

    The lake is about 6 feet deep at the margins but shelves off quite quickly  into about 15ft  of water. Much of the lakeshore margins are heavily reeded.

    It is a very good Pike fishery also and regularly produces specimen weight fish to 20lbs plus.  Some shore fishing is possible but to exploit the Lough a boat and outboard motor would offer a distinct advantage.  This can be arranged locally.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Inland Fisheries Ireland provides an access road, car park and  a catwalk to 26 fishing stands on the shore. Be careful during wet weather as stands can become slippery.  There is sign posting and an information board at the entrance to the fishery.

    TO GET THERE: The fishery is only a short distance from Glinsk.  Proceed from Glinsk for about 1.5 kms on the Glinsk – Creggs road. Take the first turn to the left. Proceed for about 3 kms and take a  second turn to the right which leads into the lake.

    Black’s Lake

    Black’s Lake is on the Derryhippo River which flows south from Creggs village nearby. This is a small lake of 15 acres within about 2 kms of the main River Suck. It’s a very good fishery for Roach particularly in winter. Also present are Hybrids, Rudd and some good pike.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Inland Fisheries Ireland provides car parking (8-9 cars) and 9 angling stands. An angling information board is located at the entrance into the fishery.

    TO GET THERE: Take the Castlecoote road from Athleague and the lake is within 2 kms approx from the village of Castlecoote on the main Castlecoote – Donamon Road

    Main River Suck

    The section of the River Suck described here extends from Donamon immediately north of Stoneham’s Lake to Mount Talbot. The river is wide, very deep and slow moving, with depths to 25 feet in places. Some sections are fast flowing and shallow. It can provide excellent coarse and Pike fishing.  This is a prime location for large specimen size Pike to 35lbs. The Athleague area in particular has produced some of the largest fish in Irish fresh waters. Dublin Pike Angler George Dillon recorded a Pike of 38lbs 2ozs which was verified by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee in1997, captured up river of Rookwood Bridge on a herring dead bait. Specimen Pike of 20+lbs are recorded on the river  year on year.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Access is from all road bridges at Castlestrange, Athleague and Rookwood and also from the minor roads between the bridges. Inland Fisheries Ireland provides footbridges on most of these stretches to facilitate anglers.

    TO GET THERE: All road bridges are located on the main Athleague – Ballygar – Castlecoote roads – follow signposting and ask for local directions or get more detailed local maps from the Athleague Angling/Visitors Centre.

    Donamon River Suck

    Donamon is set in one of the most beautiful sections of the mid River Suck and is located in the heart of the River Suck Valley region. This is a sheltered venue where the river is fairly wide, rows of mature poplar trees and forestry line the opposite bank from the facility with a mix of bog and pasture land adjacent.  The river here is quite deep but generally is of uniform depth along the fishing section.  Most species of coarse are present with roach and hybrids being the most predominant.  Pike also abound and are often large fish up to 25lbs plus often encountered, and occasional fish of 30lbs plus are possible.

    Each year local, national and international coarse angling events are run on the fishery by Inland Fisheries Ireland, including the the International Wheelchair events. Angling tuition is also available on request – please email us if you require further assistance to  [email protected]

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: This ‘access for all’ facility consists of 30 fishing stands, which are complimented with dedicated parking bays and ramps with raised sides. These are custom built ‘wheelchair friendly’ facilities, which allow ease of access to anglers with disability.

    Please Note:  There is accommodation nearly at Cuisle at Donamon Castle which is  geared to cater for visitors with access difficulties. See accommodation listings on the right hand column for details for Cuisle Holiday Centre.

    TO GET THERE: Donamon is in the Suck Valley triangle of the Castlecoote, Glinsk and Creggs area. From Castlecoote take the Creggs road for about 2 miles, turn right at the first crossroads for Donamon, Donamon Castle is located on the bridge, pass the bridge and take the first turn on your right which leads into this fishery.