Cavan - The Lake Country An Angler's Guide

Welcome to County Cavan, Ireland's premier angling location. Cavan has a well earned reputation for coarse and pike fishing. There are many fine game angling river stretches and wild brown trout lake fisheries. Our highly developed angling centres offer the visiting angler excellent facilities ensuring a truly memorable holiday.

Download the Cavan Fishing Guide (PDF) >>

Download a Map of County Cavan Lakes & RIvers (PDF) >>

Visit the Northern Regional Fisheries Board  for more information on fishing in West Cavan and Ireland's Northwest
Visit the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board for more information on fishing in East Cavan and Ireland's East Coast

The fisheries in County Cavan comprise many major river systems and their associated lakes. The River Erne and her main tributaries, the Shannon Erne Waterway and the Dromore/Annalee system dominate the middle of the County. To the east, lies the upper River Boyne system and to the south and northwest parts of the Shannon system.

These lakes and rivers have good stocks of Bream, Roach, Rudd, Perch and Pike. Eels are present in all waters in the County. Roach, Bream and Rudd Bream Hybrids are found in the majority of these fisheries. Tench are now more widespread and have grown to specimen size in some fisheries. In recent years, Carp have been stocked into selected waters and will soon provide good sport.

There is a water here to suit all tastes. The angler seeking large open waters with the promise of outstanding bags of Bream and Roach can choose from the wider stretches of the rivers or large lakes such as Gowna, Oughter, Sillan, Upper Lough Erne, Lough McNean and Lough Ramor. Those in search of somewhere more intimate and secluded will find many smaller lakes and river stretches with plenty of fish.

Specimen hunters in search of large Tench, Bream and Pike will find many waters where their efforts will be rewarded. Recent fish stock surveys have revealed many coarse angling waters in the County with specimen fish.

Many opportunities exist for the specialist match angler to participate in the three and four day angling festivals. One of Ireland's major international events is the British King of Clubs which is held annually in County Cavan. Local festivals are held annually at Arvaghgh, Belturbet and Cootehill with one day open matches at many centres. Details of the principal events are published in the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (N.C.F.F.I.) Calendar of Events.

There are many open Pike competitions and festivals held through out the year. Notices of these are usually displayed by the tackle shops.