Erne System
Lough Erne splits into two very different fisheries either side of Enniskillen. Upper Lough Erne, stretching south and east of the town, is a vast, labyrinthine maze of interconnected channels, islands and reed-fringed bays covering over 15,000 hectares — one of the finest coarse and pike fishing systems in Europe, with pike of 20 to 30lb taken with a regularity that would be remarkable anywhere else. Lower Lough Erne, running 18 miles west to Belleek, is the opposite: a huge, deep, open expanse that's primarily a wild brown trout fishery, with a famous mayfly season each May and June.
Nearby Lough Melvin adds something genuinely rare: three distinct native trout types — the sonaghan, gillaroo and ferox — found in this combination nowhere else on earth, the product of thousands of years of isolated evolution in the one lake.
Upper Lough Erne
Upper Lough Erne
A coarse angler's paradise — bream, roach, roach-bream hybrids, perch, rudd, tench and eels in huge numbers, and pike fishing that's genuinely legendary, with specimens of 30lb and above taken regularly. Hosts some of Europe's most prestigious coarse angling competitions, drawing match anglers from across the continent.
Pike · Bream · RoachBroadmeadow, Scotch Store & Schools
The main fishing concentration between Enniskillen and Newtownbutler, with pike found in the weedy, reed-fringed bays especially from November to March.
PikeTrory
30 purpose-built concrete stands offering some of the best waggler fishing anywhere, close to Enniskillen. Bream, roach, perch and hybrids.
Roach · BreamLower Lough Erne & Melvin
Lower Lough Erne
Over 15 miles long, over five miles wide at its widest point, reaching depths of 200 feet in places. Wild brown trout are the main quarry — average 1.5–2lb, with a good number of 3–7lb fish each season — plus limited numbers of salmon. Renowned for its mayfly season, first appearing early to mid-May.
Wild trout · MayflyLough Melvin
Home to three distinct native trout populations found nowhere else — the sonaghan, gillaroo and ferox — the product of thousands of years of isolated evolution. A genuinely unique fishery for anyone wanting to add an unusual species.
Sonaghan · Gillaroo · FeroxGeneral guide only — DAERA game and coarse rod licences and separate angling permits are required for most of this system. Daily bag limits apply (typically one pike per person, four coarse fish, six trout), and pike over 4kg/8.8lb must be returned. Lower Lough Erne can turn genuinely dangerous in high winds — always check a weather forecast before venturing out by boat, and confirm current rules with DAERA before fishing.
Check today's conditions for the Erne System →