Map
Ballybay is a market town located on the shores of Lough Major. It is a haven for the coarse angler with the challenging Dromore river system right on its door-step.
Lough Major
Lough Major at the headwaters of the Dromore river, is a 23 hectare lake situated at the eastern edge of Ballybay. It is a competition water adjacent to the town amenity area with a car-park and is highly developed with numerous access points, a surfaced shore road with lay-bys, anglers’ paths, fishing stands and cleared swims. There are large areas of reedy shore line 2-3 metres deep. It is a particularly good bream water.
Tonyscallon Lake
Tonyscallon Lake is located in Doohamlet village along the roadside 4km from Ballybay on the Castleblayney road and covers an area of approximately 3 hectares. There is easy access from the parking area and bank fishing is possible. The lake contains very good bream.
Derryvalley Lake
Derryvalley Lake is a small lake with access developed and car-park 1km out of Ballybay on the Clones road. There is bank fishing from the car park. The lake contains good tench and has recently been stocked with small carp.
Dromore River Lakes
The following are a series of reeded lakes which form part of the river a short distance from Ballybay beside the Clones road.
Convent (Corries) Lake
Convent (Corries) Lake is located on the lower town side of the river with access from the Clones road. The lake offers exceptionally good fishing in comparatively shallow water. Enquire locally about access.
Rectory Lake
Rectory Lake is situated on the Clones road and is ideal for the pleasure angler. There is a limited amount of bank space but bank fishing is possible.
Wilsons (Coolderry) Lake
Wilsons (Coolderry) Lake is heavily reeded and access is difficult so boat fishing is the best option. This lake contains bream up to 8lbs.
McCabes (Aikens) Lake
Access to this lake is by boat along the Dromore River system.
Downstream from this chain of lakes, the Dromore River continues to the White Lakes system which has access points at most notably, Baird’s Shore, Lisgillen and Anney.
White Lake – Baird’s Shore
White Lake – Baird’s Shore covers an area of 54 hectares, is 4km downstream of Ballybay and is approached off the Rockcorry road. There are clear banks, 3-4 metres deep and the lake is noted for big fish – tench, pike and bream. Boat fishing in White Lake is popular. There is roadside access and car parking along Baird’s Shore. There are anglers car parks at Lisgillen and Anney. Fishing is from both stands and bank.
Balladian, Ballycoghill and Ballynascarva Bridges
These three bridges are on the Dromore River in succession going downstream from Ballybay to Cootehill and have all got adjacent fishing areas. Access is possible at all bridges and bank fishing is available.
Mullanary Lake
Mullanary Lake is a 35 hectare lake 3km out of Ballybay on the R190 to Cootehill on the left. There are 30 roadside swims and a dedicated stand for disabled anglers. Car parking is available at the roadside along the lake shore. The lake contains good bream.
Lisnalong Lake
Lisnalong Lake is located 4.5km out of Ballybay on the R190 to Cootehill alongside the road on the left. This 8 hectare reedy lake has a car-park, stands and swims. Good for tench.
Annamakerrig Lake
Annamakerrig Lake is situated in a scenic forestry area and the shoreline is shallow in places out to 10 metres and then there is a sudden drop. There is good fishing at the edge of the shelf. Anglers fishing this water should note that access is along a private road and that cars should be parked with care to avoid disruption to traffic accessing the Tyrone Guthrie Centre.
Coravoo Lake
Take the R190 to Cootehill from Ballybay and turn right 4km out by the R193 towards Rockcorry and over Ballycoghill Bridge to the lake on the left. There is a carpark here. Access is over private lands by permission of the owner.
Drumlona Lake
Drumlona Lake is a 112 hectare lake which is part of the Dromore River Catchment. As these waters are bordered by Bellamont estate property anglers should enquire locally before attempting to fish.
Killyvaghan Lake
Killyvaghan Lake is situated at Ballynascarva Bridge, 4km downstream of Ballybay. It covers an area of approximately 20 hectares. Car-parking is possible at the bridge and then there is a long walk to the eastern shore for bream fishing by long-distance ledgering. The car-park at Killyvaughan Lake serves the river below Ballynascarva Bridge where good fishing is possible in pools in the Dromore River under the old railway bridge.
Drumsaul Lake
Drumsaul Lake can be accessed at the County Council pumphouse. Fishing is from stands to the right. There is good bream in this lake.
Drumate Lake
Drumate Lake is off the Newbliss/Ballybay road and has a lakeside car park. There is comfortable shore fishing with circa 20 pegs. The lake contains good roach.
Lough Avaghan
Lough Avaghan lies 8km out of Ballybay off the R162 to Shercock (signposted right). Access for coaches and cars is off the R190 Ballybay-Cootehill road. It is a scenic lake of some 54 hectares with parking at the lakeside. There are many areas of clear bank with deep water.
Lough Bawn
Lough Bawn and associated waters within the boundary of the Lough Bawn Estate are private.
Derrygoony (White) Lough
Derrygoony (White) Lough is approx 23 hectare. It can be approached from a stile near Cortubber post office, over 3 fields, or from the Billy Fox Memorial Park. There are some good banks at this lake.
Corlatt Lake, Shantonagh Lake
These series of lakes drain into the Knappagh River and the River Annalee. It must be noted that the majority of these waters contain most of the coarse fish species with the exception of bream and tench but are regarded as very good pike fisheries. Ballytrain Upper, Sreenty, and Avattan are also noted local fisheries in this area.
