Western Region
North Western Region
Carrigallen
Co. Leitrim
Gulladoo Lake, Cullies Lake, Tully Lake
Northern Pike
Where to fish
Guide to Pike fishing in Ireland
The following general guide is from Inland Fisheries Ireland on what rivers and lakes hold pike in Ireland.
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Macroom & Coachford
Co. Cork
Inniscarra Lakes
Very good pike fishing particularly in the upper smaller reservoirs at Lough Allua and Inchigeelagh Lough, ESB Permit required. Pike to 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) reported annually both from shore and boat.
Fisheries Profile
Shannon Region
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Corofin
Co. Clare
Ballycullinan & Dromore Lakes
Good pike fishing. Big network of lakes on the upper River Fergus and some of the lakes are largely unexplored with difficult access. Some very good pike fishing reported particularly on the Dromore lakes and at Ballycullinan lake.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Tulla
Co. Clare
Doon Lake & Cullaun Lakes
Good pike fishing with a huge network of small lakes providing good pike fishing. Boat fishing can be productive on some of the bigger lakes. Good bank fishing and fishing from stands on many of the lakes.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Limerick, O’Brien’s Bridge & Killaloe
Co’s. Limerick, Clare & Tipperary
R. Shannon & Lower Lough Derg
Very good pike fishing both on the river and on the lough. Specimen fish to over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) reported annually. The famous European pike Challenge competition is held here annually on the lake. Good shore and boat fishing
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Portumna
Co’s. Galway, Tipperary & Offaly
R. Shannon & Upper Lough Derg
Very good pike fishing on river and lake. Good boat hire and guiding service available on both river and lake. There is good bank fishing on many stretches of the river above and below the town. The river is very deep here with good coarse fishing match stretches all the way to Meelick weir.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Banagher, (including Shannon Harbour)
Co. Offally
River Shannon & River Brosna and Grand Canal
Very good pike fishing. Good boat hire and guiding service available. There are many backwaters in this area both upstream and downstream of the town. In the late spring and early summer, these back waters are major spawning sites for the huge bream and roach shoals. Big pike are always present at these periods in the backwaters. The lower sections of River Brosna and the nearby Grand canal provide some good pike fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing in the main river channel and nearby backwaters and the fishing is free. For anglers fishing the River Suck from shore and boat, a Permit required for River Suck
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Shannonbridge,
Co. Offally
River Shannon & River Suck
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Ballinasloe, Ballygar, Athleague & Castlecoote
Co’s. Roscommon & Galway
River Suck including Hollygrove and Stoneham’s Lakes & Lough Loung
Excellent pike fishing on many sections of this excellent bream fishing river. Permit required for River Suck. This river produces many specimens over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) and in most years several over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) recorded annually. Pike up to 41 lbs. 12 oz. (18.94 Kg.) have been recorded in the past twenty years. Good bank fishing on the many stretches near the major towns. Boat fishing is possible with a new boat slip at Ballyforan. The three lakes connected to the river also offer very good pike fishing from stands. Boat fishing is also possible with boat slips at Hollygrove and Stoneham’s lakes. There is an angling marketing centre for more fishing information in the area by the bridge at Athleague. A permit is required
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Athlone and Lanesboro.
Co’s. Roscommon,
Longford and Westmeath
Lough Ree and the River Shannon
Very good pike fishing with pike over 30 lbs (13.60 Kg.) recorded annually. Free fishing. The river below the town has good bank fishing. Some bank fishing is available on parts of Lough Ree but boat fishing is best on this huge lake. There are many boat slips at different parts of the lake. There are several large marinas with a fair amount of cruiser traffic in the summer. Good pike fishing from shore and boat in the Lanesboro area. Other notable areas are around the many islands, Inny Bay, Galley Bay, Hudson’s Bay and Portrunny Bay.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing above and below the town where the weir and navigation lock are the main features. Free fishing. Fishing for pike in the nearby loughs is best tackled from a boat although there are some excellent shorelines for bank fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Tarmonbarry
Co’s. Roscommon &
Longford
River Shannon
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Strokestown
Co. Roscommon
Lough na Blahy, Cloonahee & Kilglass Lakes
Good pike fishing. Free fishing. Pike to over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are reported on a regular basis. Huge network of small to large lakes with many of the fisheries having fishing stands. Boat fishing is available on some of the lakes.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Carrick on Shannon & Boyle
Co’s. Roscommon & Leitrim
River Shannon including Loughs Key and Gara
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Rooskey & Dromod
Co’s Roscommon & Leitrim
River Shannon & Loughs Boderg and Forbes
Very good pike fishing along all the stretches of river with good bank fishing. Boats can be used to access more areas of the river and nearby lakes. Free fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing. Free fishing. Pike to over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are regularly produced in the area and the occasional 30 lbs (13.60 Kg.) + fish is possible. The river upstream and downstream is very productive and some shore fishing is possible from many of the coarse fishing stands in the area. Again boat fishing is best to explore and get the best of fishing using all methods.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Drumshanbo
Co. Leitrim
Lough Allen
Very good pike fishing. This famous Irish pike lough still produces many pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) and an occasional fish over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.). There is some fine stretches of bank and there is some great fishing at the north eastern side of the lough where the River Shannon enters the lake. Boat fishing is still the best way to explore this great lake. Free fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Mullingar & Finea
Co’s Westmeath & Longford
River Inny, Lough Derravaragh, Lough Iron & Lough Kinale
Very good pike fishing with specimen pike over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) recorded annually. Several boat slips at Loughs Derravarragh and at Ballinalack bridge on the River Inny. This river produces many specimen sized pike from either good bank or from boat. Many good access points from bridges along the river. Very good guiding service available. Inland Fisheries Ireland permit required
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Moycullen & Galway
Co. Galway
Moycullen Lakes
Good pike fishing on these smaller lakes connected with nearby Lough Corrib with some of the best fishing in the spring period. Good bank fishing and pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are recorded annually.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Castlebar & Kiltimagh
Co. Mayo
Manulla Lake, Carrowmore Lake
Good pike fishing with regular competitions held on Carrowmore Lake (Annual All Ireland Pike Fly Competition). Pike to over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are recorded annually. Limited bank fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Foxford
Co. Mayo
Derryhick Lake
Good pike fishing with excellent access and good bank fishing. Good boat hire and guiding service. Other smaller lakes in the area also have stocks of pike.
Fisheries Profile
Good pike fishing. Excellent bank fishing and pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are reported from these waters annually.
Carrigallen
Co. Leitrim
Gulladoo Lake, Cullies Lake, Tully Lake
Very good pike fishing with excellent access and facilities. There are many stretches of Lough Gowna, which provide good bank fishing. The main areas of the lake are best fished from a boat. Boat slips at Dernaferst and Dring. Pike over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) are recorded annually.
Pike are a very common species in Ireland but are mostly found in the North, North East, and Midlands areas. They can be found to a lesser extent in the East,South East, South, South West and West of Ireland. There are hundreds of loughs varying in size from a few hectares to thousands of hectares and many thousands of kilometers of rivers for pike anglers to explore.We all have our favorite secret places to fish ,sometimes we share these places sometimes we don't this has always been a touchy subject with some fishermen .My favorite places to fish in Ireland for pike are the Midland lakes and rivers, Shannon region and the River Barrow.
Northern Region
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Arva & Lough Gowna
Co’s. Longford & Cavan
Lough Gowna (many stretches), Hollybank Lake, Garty Lough
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Fisheries Profile
Killeshandra, Cavan and Butler’s Bridge
Co. Cavan
Town Lake, Tullyguide Lake, Lough Oughter, Rann, Innisconnell and Innismuck, Lough Inchin and lower sections of the River Annalee
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Very good pike fishing with many pike over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) recorded annually. Huge network of lakes offering excellent bank and boat fishing. On some lakes there are fishing stands as well as good shoreline and access points. There are several boat slipways particularly at several access points on Lough Oughter.
Fisheries Profile
Belturbet
Co. Cavan
River Erne at Belturbet and Baker’s Bridge, Putiaghan Lake, Bun lake, Derryvoney Lake, Shannon Erne Waterway.
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Ballyconnell, Bawnboy and Blacklion
Co. Cavan
Shannon Erne Waterway, Killywilly Lake, Blackley Lake, Derrycassan Lake, Coologue Lake, Lough MacNean
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Ballinamore and Keshkerrigan
Co. Leitrim
Garadice Lake, Shannon Erne waterway, Lough Scur, St. John’s Lake, Drumlaheen lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Cootehill and Shercock
Co. Cavan
Dromore River and lakes, Killyvahan Lake, Drumlona Lake, Annamakerrig Lake, Lisnalong Lake.Lough Sillan, Corraneary Lake, Barnagrow Lake, Milltown Lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Ballybay and Lough Egish
Co. Monaghan
Dromore River and lakes, Lough Major, Bairds Shore, Mullinary Lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Clones
Co. Monaghan
River Finn and lakes
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Co. Donegal
Assaroe Lake and some smaller lakes near Pettigo Town
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Good pike fishing. Huge network of lakes along the River Erne offering excellent bank and boat fishing. On some lakes there are fishing stands as well as good shoreline and access points. Pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are recorded annually.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing. Huge network of lakes along the Shannon Erne waterway offering excellent bank and boat fishing. Many pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are recorded annually. There are several other lakes with good shore and boat fishing near Blacklionand Bawnboy.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing. Huge network of lakes along the Shannon Erne waterway offering excellent bank and boat fishing opportunities. Many pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) recorded on many of these lakes.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing with many very good lake fisheries along the Dromore River. Many pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) recorded from many of these lakes annually. Good shoreline and some stands on lakes. Boats and guides are available from guesthouses for visitors. Several pike competitions are held annually in this area. Lough Sillan is quite a good sized lake and boat fishing is best on this water which produces pike over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) annually. Boat slip on the northern side of the lake. Other waters have good banks and some stands for shore fishing.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing. The lakes on the Ballybay side of the Dromore River provide good fishing but mainly from a boat. Other fisheries like Lough Major and Baird’s shore have good banks.
Fisheries Profile
Located beside the River Finn and its myriad of lakes, Clones in north west Monaghan is the ideal starting point for the pike angler willing to venture into as yet unexplored territory. Many of the waters here are lightly fished or some hardly at all and may provide pleasant surprises.
Fisheries Profile
Very good pike fishing, Permit from ESB required for Assaroe lake where pike to over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) have been recorded in recent years. Good accessible bank on this fishery. Other smaller lakes in the Pettigo provide good pike fishing from shore and boat.
Fisheries Profile
Eastern Region
Castleblayney
Co. Monaghan
Lough Muckno
Angling Centre & Fisheries
There is very good pike fishing in many areas of this big lake both from shore and boat. Pike to over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) are recorded annually with the occasional fish over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) reported. There are many vital areas to try on this lake at Black and White Island, Concra Wood (Belfast steps) and at South Lodge. Good boat hire and guiding service available. Boat slipways available at South Lodge and Black Island.
Fisheries Profile
Carrickmacross
Co. Monaghan
Capragh Lake & Rahans, Lough na Glack & Monalty Lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
There is good pike fishing in the many excellent coarse lakes near this town. Most of the fishing is from the shore including some stands and there is a slipway for boat fishing at Rahan’s lake. Pike to over 20 lbs. (10 Kg.) are recorded annually. Good boat hire and guiding service available.
Fisheries Profile
Kingscourt
Co. Cavan
Whitewood Lake,
Ervey Lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
These lakes produce some very good pike fishing with many 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) + pike reported during the season. Good fishing stands on Ervey lake. Good shore and boat fishing on both lakes.
Fisheries Profile
Kilcock
Co. Kildare
Royal Canal
Angling Centre & Fisheries
There is some good pike fishing on many stretches of the canal in the vicinity of the town. The good towpath provides easy access all along the canal and wobbling, spinning and fly fishing some of the best methods.
Fisheries Profile
Virginia & Bailieboro
Co. Cavan
Lough Ramor, Drumkeary Lake, Skeagh Lake, Castle Lake & Galloncurra Lake
Angling Centre & Fisheries
This productive area has very good pike fishing with several pike over 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) reported annually. The variety and sizes of the lakes here offer the pike angler a huge variety of water to try in all weather conditions. There are boat slipways on Loughs Ramor and Skeagh. Many of the smaller lakes in the Baileboro area have good banks and stands to fish from.
Fisheries Profile
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Blessington
Co. Dublin
(outside Dublin)
Blessington Lake
Good pike fishing with some 20 to 30 lbs. (13.60 Kg.) fish recorded annually on this large lake. There is a very long shoreline with good access points all around the lake. The fishery is closed for the month of October. ESB Permit Required.
Fisheries Profile
Southern Region
Angling Centre & Fisheries
Carlow, Athy, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown, Graiguenamanagh
Kildare, Carlow & Kilkenny
River Barrow
There is very good pike fishing on this big river with specimens over 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) recorded annually. River pike record of 42 lbs. (19.05 Kg.) comes from here. Can fish well in flood conditions particularly in the many long navigational canal channels, which circumnavigate the river near the many weirs on the river.
Fisheries Profile
South Western Region
