Home Banagher Coarse Angling Centre

    Banagher Coarse Angling Centre

    5603

    Banagher is located in Co Offaly ( Mid Shannon Area) – about 75 kms from Limerick, and approximately 150 kms from Dublin.

    WHERE TO FISH

    This is a well established and well serviced coarse angling centre with specialist operators resident to look after your needs. There are plenty of angling venues around the centre, mainly on the main River Shannon. Access is very good generally and a number of developments including new access roads and other facilities have been undertaken over recent years by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.  The Grand Canal is also in very close proximity offering easy bank fishing around Shannon Harbour 5 km away and at Ferbane. As there is much water  on the Shannon, anglers are encouraged to hire boats and explore virtually ‘hidden waters’ where access is only possible by boat.

    For the Pike angler fishing is often very productive on the main river, especially around Meelick where fish up to 20lbs + are reported quite frequently.

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    ***
    P
    P
    **
    P
    N/P
    **
    ***
    ***
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    *
    **
    ***
    P
    ***
    ***
    **
    N/P
    *
    **
    **
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    **
    ***
    ***
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    ***
    ***
    ***
    ***
    ***
    ***
    P
    N/P
    **
    **
    **
    **
    **
    **
    P
    N/P
    **
    **
    ***
    **
    **
    ***
    P
    N/P
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    **
    ***
    P
    **
    ***
    P
    N/P
    **

     

    Banagher town Stretch

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    ***
    P
    P
    **
    P
    N/P
    **

    The Banagher town stretch is located downstream of Banagher on the east bank of the main Shannon. It can accommodate up to 18 anglers and is one of the match angling stretches used for the Banagher Festival. The upper end of the stretch, pegs 1-14 nearest the town has a couple of stone platforms, the banks are firm and has a stony/gravely bottom, ideal for roach fishing and occasional hybrids. River depths are quite uniform between 5 ft and 8 ft generally, deepest at the lower or downstream end where there are more reeds and softer bank margins, separated by a drain to pegs 15 – 18. There are some rocks off the middle to lower swims, so careful plumbing is advised before attempting to fish. This is a good venue for mixed fishing and anglers regularly catch 40lbs to 50lbs at a sitting during favourable conditions. If an angler meets a shoal of bream, larger bags than this can be expected. Bags of up to 70/80lbs+ are recorded at times. The only negative aspect is that the river bed tends to be rocky opposite the black navigation marker and at a few of the lower or downstream swims, below the footbridge. It is an exposed venue also and very strong southerly or westerly winds can hamper fishing in these conditions. It suits all methods from float to feeder depending on prevailing conditions. In high summer boat traffic can be a nuisance.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: The upper most pegs are on a clean bank with a few stone platforms, the bottom section (downstream pegs) are more reeded with softer margins which are liable to flooding in wet conditions. Access is close to Banagher see directions below.

    TO GET THERE: From Banagher turn left at Crank House Hostel and drive about 0.5 km to an old castle ruin located on your left hand side of the road. You can park your car here. There is a foot style at the castle which lead along a rampart down to the river, a walking distance of about 200 meters. Alternatively access can be gained from the bridge at Banagher to fish the upper swims but requires a long walk to gain access to the lower swims.

    Inishee Island

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    ***
    ***
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    *

    Inishee or Silk’s Island as it is locally referred to,  is a 98 acre island on the River Shannon about 4 kms downstream of Banagher. It is a long section which can comfortably accommodate up to 50 or more anglers. The only limiting factor is that access can only be gained by boat. This can be arranged by contacting Mr Paddy Kelleher, local Bait Stockists, Boat Hire and Accommodation Provider near Banagher (See contacts) River depths vary somewhat but are generally deep at 20ft to 40ft. The banks are solid and mainly open and clean. It has good resident shoals of bream, rudd, roach, hybrids and pike. There is normally a steady flow and suits all types of fishing, especially feeder and slider.

    FACILITIES ANDS ACCESS: This is an open bank venue. A boat is essential.

    TO GET THERE: From Banagher cross over the Shannon and continue on the Eyrecourt road for about 4 kms. The island and river is on your left hand side. Make enquiries locally if you have any problem in locating the venue.

    Inishee Backwater

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    ***
    P
    ***
    ***
    **
    N/P
    *

    The backwater is located on the inside of Silk’s Island. Anglers have a choice of fishing on the mainland where there are 4 to 5 pegs on the western or Galway bank near Silk’s House or you can arrange for a boat and fish the inside of the island. As a matter of courtesy do ask for permission at Silk’s house to fish the ‘mainland’ pegs. River depths are about 10 to 15 ft . You will get the occasional good shoal of bream. It’s good water for quality rudd and perch. All the usual methods can be employed here depending on an anglers personal preference i.e. float, feeder or slider etc. The upper or northern end of the backwater stretch (on the island) has a lot of lilly roots and float fishing only is recommended here to avoid loss of tackle. Water can back up when the sluice gates at Meelick are closed, so adjust your tactics according to conditions.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: This is an open bank fishing stretch interspersed with bushes and access is as outlined above

    TO GET THERE: From Banagher cross over the Shannon and continue on the Eyrecourt road for about 4 kms. The island and river is on your left hand side. Make enquiries locally if you have any problem in locating the venue.

    Chicken Run

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    **
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    **

    The Chicken House Run is a local name given by anglers to this stretch of the River Shannon which is located on the way into Meelick Weir on the western or Galway/Eyrecourt bank. As the name depicts it derives its nickname due to the presence of free range chickens who freely congregate along the bank. The ‘Chicken House Run’ is a deep stretch of river about 50 meters long and 30 ft deep. The flow regime varies according to the number of sluice gates open at Meelick weir a short distance downstream. The stretch suits a party of up to 5 anglers. Feeder fishing and slider work well but because of a brisk flow at times up to 2ozs of lead is required to control the bait in these conditions. You will encounter most coarse fish on the stretch, especially roach and hybrids. As a matter of courtesy anglers should seek permission to access the stretch from the local landowner Mr Tommy Williams at the adjacent farmhouse. Pre-baiting is advisable prior to fishing.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: This is an open clear bank venue adjacent to the country lane which leads into Meelick weir and islands.

    TO GET THERE: Take the Eyrecourt road from Banagher (across the Shannon). Continue for about 7 kilometres. You will see a road sign pointing to the left for Meelick along a straight stretch of road. Take this country lane for about 5 kms You will eventually come to a right angled turning on the road with a farmhouse adjacent (on the right of the turn). Call at the farmhouse. The fishing stretch is located on the left hand side of the road.

    Bullock Island

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    ***
    ***
    P
    *
    **
    P
    N/P
    ***

    This is a very secluded open bank venue interspersed with bank side bushes and vegetation, located a few kilometres upstream of Banagher. The venue is capable of accommodating about 20 anglers. It has a deep shelf close in at about 25 ft but gets shallower further out at the mid and upper sections i.e. from pegs 1 – 10 (upstream section). Consequently anglers are advised to fish close in at these points. A pole to hand should get good results off these swims. Further down the stretch near the black navigation marker there is more depth (about 15ft to 20 ft) in the centre of the river and is more suitable for feeder fishing. Immediately upstream of the marker there is 20 ft of water and the shelf lies close in to the bank, farther downstream of here you can fish into about 15 ft of water, with the river gradually getting shallower as you near the backwater channel. You should fish further out at this point for the larger fish – pegs 16 to 20 or downstream pegs. You can encounter good Bream, Rudd, Roach and Hybrids and the occasional Tench here. If there are strong north westerly winds blowing, it can hamper angling and you are advised to avoid the stretch altogether and choose a more sheltered location in the area. The venue responds well to pre-baiting.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: During dry weather there is access near Shannon Harbour across the callows. There is a track located beside the railway bridge. It requires a drive of about 2.5 kms to a dead end at a gate. The river is located about 70 meters from here. Adjoining lands are private property and anglers are asked to seek permission from the local landowners to fish here.  In addition, this is Corn Crake meadow land, so please stick to existing pathways and avoid walking on new tracks during the breeding season from May to July. Some of the banks are fenced off and therefore can be difficult to access the bank side. Recommended –  you could take a boat upriver from Banagher which can be hired locally from Mr Paddy Kelleher or Ray Duithie. During wet weather the callows are liable to flooding making access by track difficult or impossible, a boat is absolutely essential in these conditions.

    TO GET THERE: From Banagher, take the Cloghan Road in the centre of the town. Continue for about 3 kms to a crossroads. At the crossroads take a left turning in the direction of Shannon Harbour village. About 1.5 kms from the cross you will cross a railway bridge. Immediately across the bridge you will locate a gate and track on your left which leads down to the river.

    Bullock Backwater

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    ***
    ***
    ***
    ***
    ***
    P
    N/P
    **

    The backwater is connected by a channel which has plenty of water for boat navigation, even large cruisers. Boats should keep to the left hand bank travelling upriver. The north end is best for fishing. This is a short sandy section. This stretch can accommodate 3 anglers with comfort and is on a firm sandy bottom. It has depths ranging from 7 ft to 14 ft. There are small trees growing at that corner. This is a good spot of tench and bream fishing and for other coarse fish also. Many other sections of the backwater are unsuitable for fishing due to high reeds and marshy margins – a boat is necessary to fish the area properly. Angling is also possible where the canal joins the Shannon for large bream when the shoals are in transit, but is more noted for smaller fish such as roach, rudd. and perch.

    During dry weather there is access near Shannon Harbour across the callows. There is a track located beside the railway bridge. It requires a drive of about 2.5 kms to a dead end at a gate. The river is located about 70 meters from here. Adjoining lands are private property and anglers are asked to seek permission from the local landowners to fish here.  In addition, this is Corn Crake meadow land, so please stick to existing pathways and avoid walking on new tracks during the breeding season from May to July. Some of the banks are fenced off and therefore can be difficult to access the bank side. Recommended –  you could take a boat upriver from Banagher which can be hired locally from Mr Paddy Kelleher or Ray Duithie. During wet weather the callows are liable to flooding making access by track difficult or impossible, a boat is absolutely essential in these conditions.

    TO GET THERE: From Banagher, take the Cloghan Road in the centre of the town. Continue for about 3 kms to a crossroads. At the crossroads take a left turning in the direction of Shannon Harbour village. About 1.5 kms from the cross you will cross a railway bridge. Immediately across the bridge you will locate a gate and track on your left which leads down to the river.

    Meelick Weir

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    **
    **
    **
    **
    P
    N/P
    **

    The Shannon at Meelick Weir is an attractive venue located about 8 kms downstream of Banagher. There are a number of gaps along the stretch to the weir which can be productive for bream and other coarse fish. Pre-baiting and steady regular feeding during the session is the secret if you are to be successful here in stopping transient fish from moving out of your swim. Fishing is also possible on a backwater section immediately below the sluice gates which can yield some nice mixed bags of rudd, roach and occasional bream.  There is a good tench pool at the top end of the weir near the pumphouse and reed beds. Below the weir (near the fish pass) is a good spot for small mixed fish (roach, rudd and perch).

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: From the Chicken Run described on this guide,  continue downstream along the lane which flanks the river on your left until you meet a cruiser jetty. Meelick Weir can be accessed by walking beyond the jetty, over a foot style and walking downstream about 150 meters to the sluices.

    Meelick Match Stretch

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    ***
    **
    **
    ***
    P
    N/P
    ***

    There are two match angling stretches on the Shannon located at the bottom end of Meelick, well downstream of Victoria Lock. These stretches are back to back, and separated by a car park and turf boat canal inlet. Both stretches are used for the Portumna Classic and the Banagher International Festival every year

    These stretches are renowned for their good Bream and Hybrid fishing in suitable conditions. Other species include rudd, roach, perch and eels and tench downstream of the canal inlet. There are 40 natural swims (20 upstream and 20 downstream) which are frequently maintained by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. The upper section or upstream section is low lying but can get marshy during wet weather. Banks are generally solid though except when subject to flooding  and the depths vary from 20 to 25ft in normal conditions. The lower section  fishes very well towards the middle and top end pegs There are a lot of Lilly roots off the first two pegs and anglers should avoid these if loss of gear is to be avoided. Both sections have a double shelf, the first shelf is very close in and the second shelf is about 6 feet out from the bank. A pole to hand works very well here.

    Pike abound these waters and we frequently get reports of coarse anglers losing gear due to snatch takes,  particularly on the upper stretch near the ‘gaps’ downstream of Victoria Lock

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Access is good by road and there is an existing  public car park separating the two angling stretches at a turf canal inlet. A new access road was constructed back in 2000 under the TAM programme and runs alongside the ESB embankment downstream of the main car park for nearly 300 meters. There are 10 stands altogether (5 downstream and 5 upstream) of the canal inlet. There are over 20 swims on both sections and 2 catwalks are available downstream to assist anglers. The gate leading to the downstream section is only open during competitions to enable cars to access their swims where there are a number of  parking bays. At other times anglers are required to walk to access swims.

    TO GET THERE: Continue on past the pump house described above. You will come to a car park and dead end beside the river and old turf canal inlet.

    Meelick Pumphouse

    Bream
    Roach
    Tench
    Rudd
    Hybrids
    Perch
    Carp
    Pike
    **
    ***
    P
    **
    ***
    P
    N/P
    **

    This is a popular fishing location situated close to the ESB Pumphouse on the road into the Meelick Match stretches. It is situated at the bottom of the Salmon Runs at Meelick. The only limiting factor is that only a few anglers can fish here comfortably and is therefore ideal only for a small party of anglers fishing together. This is a fairly shallow (rocky in places) section with depths ranging from 3 to 9 ft, deepest further out towards the centre of the river. River flows can be strong on the main channel except at very low water levels. There is a backwater off the main run which can offer more comfortable fishing conditions and suits float or light feeder, which has a silty bottom. You can encounter roach, rudd, perch, hybrids and some bream here. If you are lucky to meet a large shoal of bream you can have very good fishing. It is regarded as a good venue for mixed fish. If you have access to a boat there are other areas around the islands which are well worth exploring as they are virtually unfished and can offer some exciting alternatives to more’ hidden’ waters for the more adventurous angler. If you opt for this do respect local Salmon anglers and avoid the faster fords upstream of here where salmon anglers fish during peak periods in June and July and again in September.

    This is a very good area for the Pike angler. Bank angling is limited on the lower deeper stretches of the river. For best results and to cover the waters adequately, a boat is highly recommended. Good areas to concentrate on are around the deep water near Victoria Lock and near the ‘gaps’ further downstream. Another good area is at the bottom of the artificial cut at the mouth of the Little Brosna River. Try float fishing with deadbait using mackerel or roach for the larger fish or spinning with spoons or plugs for the smaller fish in the lighter water. The mouth of the Little Brosna river is a particularly good spot for the coarse angler also, especially for rudd and occasional bream

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Open Bank – Eyrecourt Bank. Boat desirable to explore

    TO GET THERE: From Meelick Weir continue for another couple of kilometers until you meet a fork on the road. Take the left on the fork and continue until you come to a number of houses on both sides of the road. There is a sharp turn right here. Do not take the right turn, rather take a short left and you will see a silver gate to your right which leads down a track to the river beside Meelick church. Continue on this track closing all farm gates behind you until you come to a pumphouse at the side of the river. The fishing section is downstream of the pumphouse to your left. You can park your car here.

    Grand Canal

    The Grand Canal flows westward from Edenderry to Shannon Harbour in Co Offaly where it joins the main River Shannon. It has a width of 12 meters and an average depth of about 1.5 meters. The Canal holds goods stocks of coarse fish, especially Pike, Bream, Perch and eels and are well distributed throughout the Canal. Bream average 2lbs with some to 4lbs or more. Perch are generally very small averaging from 0.25 to 0.5lbs. Pike of moderate size are quite plentiful averaging 2lbs to 6lbs with some larger fish present. Over recent years roach have moved into many parts of the Canal and are now widely distributed.

    FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Access is very good with tarred roads on one or other bank for most of it’s length. At Shannon Harbour this tarred road is located on the village side.

    TO GET THERE: Take the Cloghan Road out of Banagher for about 3 kms. At the cross roads take a left for Shannon Harbour village about 2.5 kms away.

    Useful Angling Publications: “Waterways Ireland Angling guide” which is available free of charge from Waterways Ireland, see www.shopwaterwaysireland.org/index.php/waterways-ireland-angling-guide.html#

    Individual guides are on their website at: www.waterwaysireland.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/Angling

    Map

    Corofin Angling Centre