Angling

Strangford Lough was well known in the past for sea angling for large prey such as common skate and tope. The popularity of sea angling decreased with decline in these species.

 

Currently sea anglers target mackerel during the summer as well as pollack, coalfish and conger eels.  The majority of sea angling takes place from the shore, rocks and from piers and marinas.Some angling takes place on the Lough on privately owned and local charter boats and these anglers may target other species such as cod and ling in deep areas of the Lough and on shipwrecks. In the ongoing review of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 proposals to include some species of skate and shark in SCHEDULE 5 (ie. animals which are protected at all times) are currently under consideration.

 

This takes place in the few rivers which flow into Strangford Lough. Angling for all species in freshwater requires a licence and a permit or permission of fishery owner. The Quoile system (for pike, brown trout, perch and other coarse fish) and the Comber River (mainly for brown trout) are the most frequently used areas for fresh water angling. There are also inland lakes some of which are stocked with trout (brown and rainbow) and others provide coarse angling.

 
Licences
Salmonid fishing
Where salmonids are sought, such as Sea Trout a rod licence is required. If you land salmonids on your rod without a rod licence, you are required to return them. Whether the salmonid is already dead or dies as a result of taking it off your fishing tackle, you must throw it back in as it is an offence to carry it on your person.

Non- Salmonid fishing
For the fishing of non-salmonids no licence is required. You can fish anywhere around the Lough from the shore or from a boat for mackerel, cod, Pollack, ling etc. 

For up to date information please see:

DCAL: Fishing -Permits/Licences

DCAL: Inland Waterways & Fisheries

DCAL: Salmon & Inland Fisheries Annual Report 2007