Angling

Erne System

Angling on the Erne System

The Lough is a mixed coarse and game fishery.

The game angling, in the main, takes place on the Lower Lough although trout are found throughout the system. The Lower Lough is a large expanse of water, over 15 miles long with numerous islands and bays. These provide vast areas of shallow water and rocky shores making for ideal fishing grounds. Although a limited number of salmon run the Lough wild brown trout are the quarry and the Lough holds an excellent head of fish.

The Coarse angler will find some of the finest fishing available in Europe, with bream, roach and hybrids in abundance as well as perch and tench. Add to this pike fishing that is second to none - whether seeking to catch them on fly or in a more traditional manner and the region offers all anglers wonderful opportunities.

There is no close season for the coarse fisherman.

The fishery is managed by DCAL Inland fisheries who also provide information about the fishing, permits and licenses.

NOTICE TO ANGLERS

On the Erne System Waterways Ireland manages the navigation, implements the navigation bye-laws and provides public mooring jetties and slipways at various locations on both the Upper and Lower Loughs.

It is important for anglers to be aware that, whilst they may fish from Waterways Ireland jetties, these facilities are provided primarily for the safe mooring of watercraft. For this reason anglers are reminded that watercraft must have priority at these facilities and should not be hampered in any way by the presence of rods and line when arriving at or departing from jetties.

Public fishing stands are provided exclusively for anglers by the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure Inland Fisheries throughout Lough Erne.

Organisers of angling competitions who plan to use Waterways Ireland facilities must obtain the prior approval of Waterways Ireland.

The Lough Erne Warden is happy to answer questions and provide local information on Waterways Ireland facilities, the bye-laws and applying to hold events on the Erne System.

Waterways Ireland produces a number of publications on the waterways including, charts and guides to the navigations, activity and events guides as well as corporate publications. These are available by contacting the Marketing and Communications Division at the address below.

Lough Erne Warden,
Castle Lane,
Portora,
Enniskillen,
Co. Fermanagh
BT74 7JY

Tel no +44 (0)28 6632 2836

Marketing and Communications
Waterways Ireland
2 Sligo Road
Enniskillen
Co. Fermanagh
BT74 7FB

Tel no +44 (0)28 66346200
Website www.waterwaysireland.org
Email info@waterwaysireland.org

Start planning your experience

See & Do

Filter by

Filter

Castle Archdale Boat Hire and Watersports

Castle Archdale Marina
Lisnarick
Irvinestown
BT94 1NB

Corralea Activity Centre Ltd.

162 Lattone Road
Belcoo
BT93 5DZ

Crom Estate

Crom Estate
Newtownbutler
Co Fermanagh
BT92 8AP

NO EVENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND

View all

General Notices
Length & No of Locks
84km from Belleek to Belturbet with 1 lock. The lock at Portora is normally open during the cruising season, except when water levels are low. The lock is operated by Rivers Agency on behalf of ESB, who control the water levels on Lough Erne. If you require passage through the lock when it is closed, please contact Rivers Agency on +44 (0)28 6638 8529.
Length of the Lock at Portora
Length: 36m
Beam: 6m
Draft: 1.2m
Air draft: 4.2m
Draft dimensions are given as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.
Navigation Rules:
1. Marker Types
Navigation Markers - Always keep to marked channels, pass on White side. Red sides identify areas of shallow water or underwater obstructions.
Middle Ground Markers - Keep a good distance away from these and pass on either side. Where two middle markers are close together, do not go between them.
Hazard Markers - DO NOT PASS either side. Shallow water or rocks on each side.
White Pillars - These are based on shore and act as a point of reference for navigating only.
Black Pillars - These serve to highlight hazards to navigation, such as dangerous rocks. They are usually topped with a Hazard Marker.
Air Draft Markers - Be aware of air draft restrictions, for example when travelling under bridges.
2. Approach all bridges with extreme caution. Ensure that there is sifficient height clearance for your craft to pass safely underneath.
3. Speed Limit is 5 knots. Go even more slowly when approaching bridges, passing other craft, anglers, swimmers & moorings and when going in and out of locks.
4. Keep your wake to a minimum when in speed restricted areas and passing moored craft.
5. Keep a good distance from all Marker posts, points of islands and shorelines on lakes and rivers.
6. Keep to your right when meeting other craft. Keep well clear when overtaking other craft. Give way to sail, to craft moving downstream under bridges and to craft approaching from your right. Craft travelling downstream have right of way at bridges and in narrow channels.
7. Be aware that currents and winds can push slow moving craft off course. Check markers behind and ahead of you to ensure that your craft is maintaining course.
8. Only cross large lakes during settled weather. Check weather forecast before setting out on a journey, particularly when planning to cross lakes and other exposed waters.
9. It is recommended that everyone wears a lifejacket, especially when on board an open craft, or while on the deck of a decked craft.
10. Ensure that the mooring ropes do not trail in the water as they may foul the propeller.
11. The master of any craft should not operate the craft whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bridges
The lowest air draft on the Erne System is 4.2 metres
Dry Docks
Waterways Ireland does not provide a dry dock facility on the Erne System.
Electricity & Water
Shore Power
Shore power is available at the Round O Jetty, Carrybridge and Aghalane and is operated by a smart card. One smart card unit buys 2 kWHr or 2 units of electricity. 10 Unit card £5.50, 20 unit card £11.
How to use Shore Power Bollard.
Fuel Points
Fuel is available from towns and villages along the Erne System.
Inspectorate
The Inspectorate of Navigation is responsible for enforcing the navigational bye-laws, maintaining a register of vessels and carrying out inspections of Waterways Ireland harbours and jetties to ensure that they are used and kept in a safe and responsible manner. The Inspectorate is authorised to board craft, ask for and receive accurate information, impose fines, manage harbour moorings and order the removal of vessels from the navigations. The Inspectorate frequently patrol the waterways by road and water, monitoring general boating practices. Any irresponsible behaviour or poor boatmanship is immediately brought to the attention of the owner of the craft. Craft speeding within speed restriction areas are similarly dealt with.
For further information on navigating and boat queries on the Erne System, contact the Lough Erne Warden
Lough Erne Warden
Waterways Ireland, 2 Sligo Road, Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JY
Tel no +44 (0)28 6632 2836
Locks
Opening Hours of Locks
The only lock on the system, Portora Lock, is usually open during the cruising season. Please ensure the safety of all your passengers when the boat is in the lock.
Maintenance Works
Maintenance works on the waterways are, where possible, carried out during the winter. When navigating any waterway between 1 November and 17 March you are advised to contact Waterways Ireland Operations Division or the Inspectorate before making your journey to confirm that the waterway is open.
Marine Notices
Marine Notices are issued by the Inspectorate to draw the attention of boat users to navigational issues such as high water levels, navigation works and closures, and to highlight potential areas of danger. They also remind boat users of their obligations and responsibilities under the Navigation Bye-laws. Marine Notices are published on our website www.waterwaysireland.org
If you would like to receive Marine Notices by email, please send a request to
info@waterwaysireland.org
Permits and Registration
Boat Registration
All boats with an engine capacity of more than 10bhp on the Erne System must be registered with Waterways Ireland Inspectorate. Registration is free of charge and can be completed through our online registration system here. You will be provided with a registration number which must be displayed in a prominent position on your boat. You need to inform the Inspectorate immediately of any change in ownership. Boats registered on the Erne System do not need to reregister when moving to another waterway.
Public Mooring Time Limits
The time limit for mooring at or in the vicinity of a Public Mooring on the Erne System is 48 hours with craft able to return after an absence of four hours. If you wish to stay in a location longer than the limit please contact the Lough Erne Warden or seek a private mooring.
Service Blocks
Services are provided at various locations along the Erne System. Toilets are provided at Belleek, Kesh Village, Muckross, Rossigh, Round 'O and Broadmeadow Enniskillen, Bellanaleck, Carrybridge, Knockninny and Galloon Island.
Public Conveniences are generally open from April to October with opening hours of 08.00 to 22.00. Those at Kesh and Belleek are open all year round apart from Christmas Day.
For opening times out of season please contact Fermanagh District Council Tel no +44 (0)28 6632 4347. Showers are provided at Kesh Village, Lakeland Forum Enniskillen, Bellanaleck, Carrybridge, Knockninny and Galloon Island.
Pump-outs
Pump-outs are provided by Waterways Ireland to enable the safe and clean pumping out of boat effluent removing the pollution risk to our waterways. Pump-outs are provided at Belleek and Castle Archdale on Lower Lough Erne, at the Round "O" in Enniskillen and at Carrybridge, Galloon Jetty and Knockninny on Upper Lough Erne.
Slipways
Slipways facilitating access to the waterway cann be found at
Round 'O', Enniskillen;
Belleek Marina;
Bellanaleck;
Camagh Bay Blaney;
Geaglum, Derrylin;
Rossclare, Killadeas;
Bun Bridge, Newtownbutler;
Rossigh, Lisnarick;
Derryadd, Lisnaskea;
Castle Archdale, Lisnarick;
Corradillar, Lisnaskea;
Muckross, Kesh;
Carrybridge, Lisbellaw
Smart Cards
Smart cards are used to operate the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation and service blocks along the waterways. The cards are also used to gain access to the service blocks and to use the services.
Services use the following number of units:
• Locks: 1 unit (Shannon-Erne Waterway)
• Locks: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Bridges: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Pump-outs: 2 units
• Showers: 2 units
• Chemical Toilets: 2 units
• Washing Machines: 5 units
• Tumble Dryers: 5 units
• 2kwh Electricity: 1 unit
The smart cards cost €6.35 for a 10Unit card or €12.70 for a 20Unit card and can be purchased from the Patrollers, Lockkeepers, Waterways Ireland’s online shop www.shopwaterwaysireland.org and retail outlets along the waterway. Information on all outlets can be found here.
Speed Limit and your Wash
Speed Limit
5 knots on specific sections of the Erne
Speed limits may also be in place on other sections of the waterway and are monitored by the Inspectorate.
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forward. Look behind you frequently to check the effect that your wash is having on other users. You are advised to reduce your speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of birds' nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place
Entering the waterway from the sea
It is not possible to enter the Erne System from the sea directly. Access is via the Shannon Estuary, River Shannon and Shannon-Erne Waterway.

Posted: 02/06/2023

Marine Notice No 50 of 2023 - Erne System - Upper Lough Erne - Crom Jetty - Reopened wef 02 June 2023

Notice Number 50 of 2023

Posted: 02/06/2023

Marine Notice No 51 of 2023 - Erne Navigation - Enniskillen - Castle Island – Water Activity Area

Notice Number 51 of 2023

Posted: 01/06/2023

Marine Notice_47_2023_The Erne System_The Erne Boat Rally_June 3rd to 5th 2023

Notice Number 47 of 2023

Posted: 23/05/2023

Marine Notice No 43 of 2023 - Erne System - Enniskillen - Castle Museum jetty and navigation channel east of Castle Island - Temporary Closure - 24 & 25 May 2023

Notice Number 43 of 2023

Posted: 15/05/2023

Marine Notice No 40 of 2023 - Erne System - Upper Lough Erne - Crom - Jetty closed until further notice

Notice Number 40 of 2023

View all notices