Ireland.com's guide to fishing in Ireland

Ireland is awash with amazing course fishing opportunities, so here's our pick of the bunch.

1. Carrickmacross & Kingscourt, Co. Monaghan

Carrickmacross town in County Monaghan is a well-established coarse angling centre, located on the N2 midway between Ardee and Castleblaney. The area is surrounded by a host of lakes, producing excellent catches annually. The most popular venues to the east of the town include Monalty Lake, Lough na Glack, Lisanisk, Capragh, Coracrin, Spring Lough and Lisnashannagh. Lough Fea is located to the west of the town on the Kingscourt road with Descart, Bursk, Rahans and Derry Lough lying to the south of the town mid-way between Drumconrath and Carrickmacross.

Kingscourt Angling Centre: Kingscourt, Co. Cavan is surrounded by a number of small lakes that produce some excellent catches annually. The largest of the lakes are Whitewood and Ervey, which are complimented by a number of smaller lakes including Muff and the Breakey Lakes. Kingscourt is also strategically placed being close to the Ballyho Lakes, Boursk, Derry Lough, Descart and Rahans.

2. Royal Canal, Lucan-Leixlip, Co. Kildare

This six-kilometre stretch on the 13th level of the canal is an excellent coarse fishing location. There is all-year-round fishing for roach and in summer many other species are regularly caught. Two match stretches with permanent pegs have been installed. The most popular of these is from Cope Bridge to Collins Bridge where some of the best catches for 30 years have been recorded. In the summer mornings and evenings many anglers fish this stretch and good catches of roach, bream, hybrids and tench are taken. The second developed stretch is from Cope Bridge to Deey Bridge. This also produces some fine catches particularly behind the Leixlip Amenities Centre. Carp are regularly seen in the section but are seldom caught. Float fishing is the most popular method and at matches anglers prefer long pole and whip (short pole) methods. Bread punch can be very effective for roach in winter months. Some fine pike up to 20lbs are regularly taken by anglers mainly in the winter.

Location from Collins Bridge to Deey Bridge, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

3. Blessington Lakes (Pollaphuca Reservoir)

This lake is the largest reservoir (4,000 acres) in Ireland and is only 19 miles from Dublin. It has 50 miles of shoreline with many inlets and bays which offer the angler excellent coarse and pike fishing. The lake is controlled and managed by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and a permit for all types of fishing is required. The lake is open for coarse & pike angling all year round except for the month of October. Fishing with white maggots only is allowed. There is a total catch and release policy for pike and all coarse fish on this water.

In Blessington permits can be obtained from: Charles Camping (Tel: 045 – 865351).

Permits are available from the following Dublin outlets: Rory’s/Southside Angling/Henry’s/ Tallaght Angling & Shooting Centre.

Boat permits are available from the E.S.B. Fisheries Conservation, Hydro Group, Ardnacrusha, Limerick (Tel: 061 – 345588).

4. Keshcarrigan, Co. Leitrim

Lough Scur: Lough Scur is a large water which gives access to the Erne system since the restoration of the Shannon Erne Waterway. It contains Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Pike, Perch and Eels

Carrickport Lake: Carrickport Lake boasts Bream of 3 -4lbs and good Roach and Hybrids.

Kesh Lake:Beside the village, Kesh Lake also has Bream to 4lbs plus Roach, Perch and Hybrids.

Drumlaheen Lake: Drumlaheen Lake contains Roach and specimen Bream.

Castlefore Lake: Castlefore Lake is also good for Roach and Bream to 4lbs.

Shannon Erne Waterway: Fishing from stands near the village for Bream, Roach, Hybrids Pike, Perch and Eels.

5. Cootehill, Co. Cavan

The town is situated in east Cavan and nestles between the Rivers Dromore and Annalee, which are main tributaries of the vast Erne system. There are some 26 lakes within 10 miles of the town with some of these near the neighbouring town of Shercock and in adjoining Co. Monaghan.

Annamakerrig Lake: Access via forest road with car parking at lakeside. Fishing for Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch & Pike.

Drumsaul Lake: Access road to limited car parking. Fishing from stands for very good Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch & Pike.

Drumshiel Lake: Access road and car park. Fishing from stands for Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch & Pike.

Drumlona Lake: Access road and car park. Bank fishing for good Bream, Roach Hybrids. Perch & Pike.

Killyvaghan Lake: Car parking near bridge on Dromore River. Bank fishing for Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch & Pike.

Dromore River:Access points at Ballynascarva, Ballycoghill, Balladine bridges fishing mainly for Roach and other species.

Lisnalong Lake: Roadside car parking. Fishing from stands for Bream, Roach, Tench, Hybrids, Perch & Pike.

Mullanary Lake: Roadside car parking. Bank fishing for Roach, some Bream and good Pike particularly from boats.

White Lake (Baird's Shore): Access road and car park to good bank fishing on a small match length. At Anney and Lisgillen, fishing is from bank and stands. Fishing for Roach, Bream, Hybrids, some Tench, Perch & good Pike.

6. Killaloe, Co. Clare

River Shannon & Lough Derg: Very good general coarse fishing particularly at Two Mile Gate outside Killaloe. Fine shore fishing for bream in several areas of this huge lake from the shore.

7. Lanesboro, Co. Longford

River Shannon & Lough Ree: Good general coarse fishing with some specimen bream and tench particularly in the hot water section. Night fishing on this stretch can be productive for big bream and tench. All angling methods work from this well developed area. Free fishing.

8. Strokestown (including Tulsk) Co. Roscommon

Kilglass Lake, Lough Na Blahy, Annaghmore Lake and many other smaller lakes : Very good general coarse fishing with some specimen fish. Huge network of lakes containing Roach, Bream, Hybrids, Rudd and Tench. Excellent all round coarse fishing with careful prebaiting essential. Plenty of stands and walk ways on many of the lakes in this area. Free fishing.

9. Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

River Inny, Lough Derravarragh, Lough Kinale, Ballinafid Lake, Galmoylestown Lake, Royal Canal: Good general coarse fishing with some specimen fish. Very good tench, rudd, and some fine carp in many stretches of the Canal around the town. Good information on productive swims can be obtained from the tackle shop in the town. Excellent roach and hybrid fishing on the River Inny and Lough Derravarragh where a permit is required and can be purchased online. Good carp fishing available at Ballinafid Lake and Galmoylestown Lake.

10. Carlow, Co. Carlow

River Barrow & Navigation Canals: Good general coarse fishing with some specimen perch and hybrids. Fine bream fishing in the town stretches with good access along the towpath in the town stretch.