As we‘re based in Co Meath, a lot of our clients travel from the capital to join us for fly casting lessons or guided boat fishing trips. A question I get asked all the time is “where can I go fishing near Dublin?”. My answer often surprises them. In reality, you don’t have to drive across the country to find good fishing. There are loads of really good fishing locations less than an hour’s drive from the M50. Our new motorway system provides quick access to counties Meath, Cavan and Westmeath where there are plenty of wild and beautiful places to fish.
Here’s a few suggestions for places to visit on your next fishing trip. In general, these venues are suitable for beginners as well as experienced anglers. In other words, you have a good chance of catching! I’ve deliberately focussed on fisheries that have good bank access with parking. Boat launches are available on some venues, especially the larger lakes. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list but should give you a few ideas for your next outing.
The canals for fishing near Dublin
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the canals near Dublin have given me some of the best fishing days throughout my entire career. They can be fished all year round and are a wonderful resource, right on Dublin’s doorstep.
The Royal Canal (Dublin | Meath | Kildare | Westmeath)
The Royal Canal can provide fantastic sport for all species of coarse fish. It runs from Dublin city all the way to the River Shannon.
From Barberstown past Confey in Leixlip and on towards Maynooth there are some great stretches for coarse fishing. Float fishing or pole fishing will catch roach, perch and some tench, even the odd carp. Bring a light dropshot or casting outfit to chase perch and jack pike with small lures. The road sometimes runs along the canal and there are a few nice parking spots.
Further on, one of my favourite stretches is from Fern’s lock near Kilcock all the way to Thomastown harbour. It’s approximately 30kms long, so that’s a lot of water to fish. In the summer, float fishing in the morning or evening will produce roach, rudd, bream, tench and perch. There are some massive shoals of large bream which you can spot by sight if walking the towpath on a bright day. Specimen sized fish turn up here quite often, particularly rudd and perch. Just outside Longwood in Co Meath, at the canoe club, there is a decent car park and easy access to miles of fishing. Near Fureys Bar at Moyvally there is more good access and the option for a pint and a nice bite to eat as well! My best catch on this stretch of the Royal Canal was 84lbs of bream and tench in a single sitting. Don’t forget the pike rod. Some large fish have been recorded here. My best fish to date was a fine fish of 16lbs caught near the Hill of Down. When the canal weed dies back in wintertime, I love to roam the towpath on a frosty morning, casting pike flies or lures into likely looking spots. The wider turning bays are always worth a few casts.
The Grand Canal
This canal runs right though the city centre from the Ringsend basin, passing Baggot Street, Leeson Street, Rathmines and Dolphins barn. Fancy an early morning session before work? Bring your dropshot rod or a light spinning outfit and walk the towpath before the commuter rush starts. You’ll catch perch and pike and some nice ones too. Roach and other coarse fish are found here to and can be caught by float fishing with light tackle and using maggots as bait.
Outside the city, the canal can be easily accessed at Sallins and multiple other points as it makes its way towards Prosperous in Co. Kildare, then further on to Edenderry. There are plenty of comfortable locations along the towpath for float fishing for roach, larger bream and some fine tench. Carp can be targeted in the Edenderry basin. Certain stretches of towpath are driveable. Look for weedy cover near deeper water. Also look out for discoloured or muddied water in an otherwise crystal-clear environment. It might betray the presence of a big shoal of feeding fish. In the summer months, early mornings and evenings are best. Bring maggots, worms and sweetcorn. Loose feed regularly “little and often” and use groundbait sparingly during your fishing session.
Rivers for fishing near Dublin
The rivers of Dublin and Kildare
The Liffey, the Dodder, the Tolka, Ryewater and others provide some interesting and at times challenging trout fishing in, or close to, the capital.
For more information about locations, clubs and day tickets – https://fishinginireland.info/trout/east/dublin/liffey/
Not far from Tallaght, there is lake fishing for trout at Bohernabreena reservoir. Near Blessington in north Wicklow, you have the large expanse of the Blessington lakes and Pollaphuca reservoir. Trout fishing can be quite good. There are some very large pike here as well as roach and perch fishing. https://fishinginireland.info/trout/east/dublin/blessington/
Coarse fishing is available at limited locations on the lower reaches of the Liffey near the city. The stretch at Islandbridge can produce reasonable fishing for roach and hybrids. Leixlip reservoir holds many fish to specimen size, but access is not easy. And finally, if you really want to experience the ultimate in “urban fishing”, you could try fishing for mullet in the city centre. Shoals of large fish can be seen cruising along the quays. Ok, it’s not for everyone, but could be a useful distraction while your other half goes shopping.
The rivers of County Meath
The river Boyne and its tributaries offer some of the country’s finest river trout fishing. Most of the popular stretches are either privately owned or managed by fishing clubs but day tickets are easily available for the various club stretches and usually work out at about €15.00 for a full day’s fishing.
It’s a beautiful river, steeped in history, with many attractive towns and historical attractions along its length. At the age of seven, I caught my very first fish in the Boyne and have fished it regularly and enthusiastically over the years. It has given me many trout, occasional salmon, pike perch and eels.
All of the angling clubs have their own rules and can give advice on parking and access points. Fly fishing is the order of the day and dry fly in particular during the summer months. Good trout fishing locations can be found around Slane, Navan, Trim and Longwood. Salmon fishing is also available at certain locations, most often downstream of Navan. Many of these good fishing stretches are near enough to Dublin to squeeze in a few hours prime time fishing during the long summer evenings.
For more information about locations, clubs and day tickets – https://fishinginireland.info/trout/east/meath/boyne1/
Some lakes for fishing near Dublin
Annamoe lake in Annamoe, Co. Wicklow is a popular lake for fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. It’s approximately 4 acres in size with parking and good access. – http://www.annamoetroutfishery.com/
Derrymore Springs – This is a recently converted gravel pit near Kinnegad. Co Westmeath. It’s stocked with rainbow trout and offers comfortable bank fishing with a nice pathway all around the lake. An unusual feature is that you can hire pedalos to explore the lake and fish from them as well ! http://www.derrymoresprings.ie/
Wavin lake, North Dublin – managed by the Gormanston anglers. A nice lake with stocked trout.
Laois Angling Centre, Coolrain (near Portlaoise) – four lakes stocked with rainbow trout and coarse fish http://www.laoisanglingcentre.ie/
Lough Ramor – this is a large lake of over 800 hectares just beside the town of Virgina in Co. Cavan. Mostly shallow, it offers decent bank fishing at various locations including the lakeside Manor Hotel, the marina in Virginia and on the opposite bank at Knocknagartern The lake is full of roach and hybrids, but there are quality bream as well. As the margins are mostly shallow, distance casting and ledgering tactics will score well. Float fishing is possible at certain spots too. Pike fishing can be good from a boat, but lots of pike anglers fish from the bank as well. The river Blackwater flows from the lake through the nine eyed bridge and then on to join the river Boyne in Navan. Along its length there is great trout fishing and the occasional salmon. Club membership or day tickets are required for the river. Fishing in the lake is considered free. Parking and slipways are available at the lakeside Manor Hotel and beside the school in the town of Virginia.
Lough Lene – this lake is a real gem and offers brilliant fishing for stocked rainbow trout and wild browns. There is excellent perch and pike fishing too. Day tickets are available from the village shop in Collinstown, Co. Westmeath. €15.00 per day. It can be fished from the bank, but boat fishing is best. The quality of fishing is very good with plenty of hard fighting trout to test your fly fishing skills. This lake has crystal clear water and a blue flag beach with good car parking, making it an ideal venue for a family day trip.
Hollow Farm pond (near the village of Maghera in Cavan) – this is a small man-made fishery stocked with carp and other coarse fish species https://www.facebook.com/people/Hollow-Farm-Fisheries/100063541902250/
Lakes of North Leinster – Around the towns of Drumconrath (Meath), Carrickmacross (Monaghan) and Kingscourt (Cavan) there are plenty of smaller lakes that offer good fishing for pike and coarse fish. They usually have good parking facilities and good bank fishing opportunities. Some of them hold large specimens of various species. Most of these lakes offer free fishing, but some may be under club management so check locally.
Whitewood Lake, Lough Brackan, Mentrim Lakes, Corstown Lake and Ballyhoe Lakes are located quite close together. All offer parking and good bank fishing. Other options nearby include Ervey lake near Kingscourt and Castle, Drumkeary and Skeagh lakes near Balieborough. Castle lake is a scenic spot with a good car park and nice lakeside walk. All of these lakes can offer reasonably good coarse fishing in the summer and pike fishing year-round. Most have good, solid fishing platforms and decent parking.
There are plenty of other lakes in this vicinity, but not all have easy access and may require landowners permission to gain entry. A polite enquiry to a local farmer can often work wonders.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fishing day trip near Dublin and are interested in fishing any of these waters, drop me a line and I can offer tips and advice. Tight lines!
For more information on great fishing venues near Dublin, check out this link to fishing in Ireland’s Ancient East: https://fishinginireland.info/become-part-of-angling-history-in-irelands-ancient-east/
Is there good lure fishing on royal or grand canal just never lucan and corka park
Hi Darren, Yes. there is excellent lure fishing on both canals in various locations. For perch, use drop shot or small rubber shads. For pike the rubber shads work well, also white curly tail lures rigged with a single hook. Weed can be a problem this time of year, but you can rig your soft lures with weedless hooks. Look for deeper, shadier water during the day . In the match stretches the competition swims are raked you you’ll find plenty of spots to throw your lures. Swims that are regularly baited for coarse fishing always have a few predators nearby. Tight lines!
as a beginner in fishing what are the important stuff i should know about fishing and i did go fishing 2 two times and it was not so exciting because i sat at that place for hours and didnt get nothing
if you could help me that will be awesome .
kind regards newman
Thanks for this very good question. Don’t worry. Many people struggle to catch fish. Especially if they are new to the sport.
I’m not sure where you live or what type of water you are fishing, but here are a few general tips that should improve your catch rate.
The main things to consider when planning a fishing trip in freshwater are:
1. Target species – what type of fish live in this water – coarse fish, pike & perch or trout, etc. Get some information here: https://fishinginireland.info/
2. Time of year and fish location – whereabouts in the lake/river/canal are the fish most likely to be at the time of year. Warm or cold water.
3. Method – Once I know what species I’m fishing for and where they live, what baits will I use and should I have my bait on the bottom or set higher in the water
Fishing in Winter
Each species of fish can behave differently, and the time of year will affect their behaviour and location in the waterways. Your fishing baits and method must be appropriate for the species that live in the water.
For instance, at this time of year January/February the water is very cold and the fish will not be very active. Often, they will stay in the deepest part of the lake or canal. This where you should be fishing.
If fishing for predators (Pike / Perch), smaller lures, moved slowly will produce results. Location is key as the fish will not be spread out like they will be in warmer weather. Dead baits will work well for pike in winter as they don’t have to use much energy finding and eating them.
If fishing in winter/early spring for non-predator “coarse fish” (roach, bream, hybrids, etc.) they will also be in deeper water. Don’t throw in lots of bait. Smaller amounts with small hookbaits e.g. maggots are best. If you can get a few bites and fish start feeding, try to add more bait slowly and gradually to keep them interested, but not too much or you’ll overfeed them.
Fishing in Spring/ Early Summer
When the weather warms up in spring and early summer and the days get longer, the fish will become much more active and start to explore shallower water. They eat more readily and can caught more easily from the shore. When coarse fishing, throwing in ground bait and a liberal helping of hook bait e.g. maggots/worms/corn will help to draw in a shoal and you’ll be able to catch lots. More baiting is required to keep the shoal interested. Different shoals of fish will arrive and leave your fishing spot during the session. Have enough bait in the water to keep them interested. Buy ground baits and additives in the tackle shop. Hemp seed is a good additive that helps attract and hold the attention of most species.
Always adjust your fishing equipment and bait to match the species of fish you want to catch. For roach and other small fish, use small hooks (size 18, 16 or 14) and light lines (3–4-pound breaking strain) with delicate bite indication methods. Maggots, small worms or bread paste will work well for wild fish. If larger fish appear in your fishing spot (bream, tench, hybrids), increase the hook size and line strength accordingly. Some species prefer to hug the bottom (Bream, Tench), while others will feed higher in water (Roach, Hybrids, Rudd). If float fishing, experiment with the depth of your bait to find what level they’re feeding at. If not sure, start off on the bottom. Many of our Irish waters are very clear. Coarse fish will see heavy lines and bulky tackle and it spooks them. Fish as delicately as you can.
In spring and early summer, the predators also become more active. They will readily attack artificial lures – rubber lures, crankbaits, spoons and blade spinners. Look for suitable ambush points in the waterway where they might hide – weed beds, bends, drop offs to deep water, etc.
Hopefully, that gives you a few pointers. The main thing is to keep fishing as often as you can, get to know your local waters and never be afraid to ask advice from other anglers on the bank. People will share tips and tricks that work on that location.
Tight Lines!
Hi some great advice there, thanks a big help
Can you tell me have you fished around hazelhatch on the grand canal
I’ve been out on the Royal and grand canal in monasterevin, in kilcock, in robertstown and vickerstown fishing for perch my target fish this year without results, I did hear that some lads were caught netting the grand canal near monasterevin and they might have been seen around a few other spots, so I’m going to fish closer to Dublin hence the question about hazelhatch, any help or advice would be appreciated
Thanks
David ,Tallaght
Hi David, thanks for your message.
I’d suggest trying the Royal Canal around Longwood / Blackshade Bridge / Hill of Down It’s a long stretch of water (over 30kms between the locks), but there are plenty of perch, and some good ones too. I’m less familiar with the Grand canal, but any of the regular match anglers will give advice on perch catches. If you hear of big perch turning up in matches, then fish the pegs. As they can be regularly baited, the prey fish are always in residence, with perch nearby. I find with canals, an early start is important. The big perch like to hunt in low light levels.
The river Barrow is a top spot for perch and has produced many large specimens over the years – all the way from Monasterevin down to the estuary. Around Athy can be good.
Undoubtedly, many of our lakes hold big perch but you need to be out on a boat to target them effectively. The large limestone lakes of the midlands can product great fishing at certain times of the year.
Tight lines !