Lanesboro is located on the main River Shannon at the northern end of Lough Ree in Co Longford. It is about 135 kms approx from Dublin and 15 kms from Longford Town.
IFI general keep-net ban remains in place in Lanesborough
The prohibition of keep-nets in the Lanesborough fishery remains in place due to the ongoing problem with the invasive Asian clam. This is to help control the spread of the invasive clam within and between this and other water bodies. However, specific keep-nets are available both sides of the bridge – from the Daybreak Filling Station, Ballyleague and Bridie Holmes Fishing Tackle Shop, Lanesborough. An agreed disinfection plan has been arranged with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to allow the use (only) of these specific keep-nets. Keep-nets can be obtained from these two outlets only, upon receipt of deposit and customer identification. They must be returned treated (dipped thoroughly at the disinfection stations in-situ) to the relevant outlet. Your cooperation is required in order to help control the spread of the invasive clam and to provide for the best available fishing conditions at this location.
Only specified (pre-treated) keep-nets from these two outlets permitted
Contact Numbers
Joe Cribben (Ballyleague) – 086 3823780
Bridie Holmes (Lanesborough) – 043 3321491
WHERE TO FISH
This is a renowned Angling Centre where you will find all supporting services including Accommodation, Advice is always readily available locally. This is an ideal base for the Pike angler interested in fishing Lough Ree where you can catch Pike up to 20lbs +. Lanesboro offers excellent facilities for the Coarse Angler. There are six venues from which to choose – The old Hot water stretch, The New Cut and Kilnacarrow and two lakes near Longford town, Clooncose and Lough Sallagh. The northern shores of Lough Ree are also important and described in the guide.
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
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*** |
** |
*** |
* |
** |
P |
** |
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*** |
*** |
P |
* |
** |
P |
** |
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** |
** |
* |
* |
** |
P |
** |
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*** |
** |
* |
* |
** |
P |
*** |
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** |
** |
*** |
P |
** |
** |
* |
|
P |
P |
P |
N/P |
P |
P |
P |
Lanesboro Hot Water
Please note – the power station has shut down and hot water is no longer released.
All anglers intending to use the Lanesborough hot water angling stretch and surrounding area must respect the strict conditions in place for the prohibition of keep nets and use of disinfection stations. This is to stop the spread of the invasive species, Asian Clam, to other waterbodies. For queries please contact Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
*** |
** |
*** |
* |
** |
P |
** |
The old Lanesboro hot water stretch lies just north of Lough Ree on the River Shannon. The venue is not as good as it once was as the power station has closed and there is no release of hot water here anymore. Tench, Hybrids, Roach and large Bream abound the waters here. The best time for large Bream is from late March to the end of May but can also be productive at other times, weather and river levels permitting. Fishing with a float or ledger is likely to get the best results. Specimen Bream and Tench have been verified over the years by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee. Tench fishing is best in May and June but can also be good at other times to October. Anglers have reported catching and losing large carp, sometimes breaking in large fish.
Upstream is the old hot water flusher and fishing is easy along a concrete platform. Downstream of the bridge there is a reed bed dividing the river, also along a concrete ribbon. This is a good spot for feeder fishing and best results are likely fishing near the reed beds. This is a good area particularly for large Tench from mid May to October conditions permitting. Fish to 7lbs have been recorded here.
During peak season from April to May and again September to October spaces are generally well competed for and anglers are advised to get their spot as early as possible in the day during these times. The stretch is well baited much of the time by the many visiting anglers who tend to fish here for up to a week at a time.
FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Access to prime angling locations are above and below the bridge. Upstream of the bridge to the Hot Water Stretch outfall can be accessed by walking up the bank from the bridge on the village side where about 20 angling spaces are available off concrete stands. Below the bridge on the village side are approximately 20 spaces located in front of the car park and further fishing spaces are available downstream at the harbour. There are also toilet facilities at the car park. Three custom built wheelchair stands are available for anglers with disability, accessible from the car park
TO GET THERE: Access is located at the bridge in the town as above
The Cut – River Shannon
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
*** |
*** |
P |
* |
** |
P |
** |
The Cut is located on the Shannon downstream of Lanesboro near Lough Ree. There is an island in the centre of the river. Fishing is possible from the main bank and the northern end of the Island. You can expect to encounter large Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch and Pike . Best results are likely using feeder with plenty of ground bait . Large bags of Bream are possible here employing the correct tactics and is especially productive from April to early June. Fishing can be especially good during the night hours as bream patrol to and fro from Lough Ree.
FACILITIES AND ACCESS: This is an open bank venue. Access is by boat only.
TO GET THERE: There is a Slipway at the Harbour where you can launch a boat. The cut is only a short distance downstream on the opposite bank.
Kilnacarrow – River Shannon
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
** |
** |
* |
* |
** |
P |
** |
Kilnacarrow is a very secluded area located approximately 3 kms upstream of Lanesboro on the River Shannon. The area fishes best from April to October. It can also fish very well for Roach during the winter and spring months given suitable water levels and conditions. Present are quality Bream, Roach, Hybrids and some Tench, especially productive during the summer. Ledger fishing at a long cast is likely to produce the best results. During high summer boat traffic can be a nuisance and can upset fishing here.
FACILITIES AND ACCESS: About 20 swims are located below the Bord na Mona Bridge on open bank.
TO GET THERE: From Lanesboro take the Strokestown R 371 road at the Sliabh Ban Hotel for about 3 kms. You will locate a small road to the right which will bring you down to the Bord na Mona Bridge where parking is available.
Lough Ree Northern Shores
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
*** |
** |
* |
* |
** |
P |
*** |
Lough Ree is one of Ireland’s larger lakes and has the capacity to produce large Pike to 20+lbs. Lanesboro provides an ideal base for the Pike angler wishing to explore the northern shores of the lake. Boats and Guides are available in the village, see our contacts list on our main page. Trolling dead bait and plugs will get the best results. In April concentrate close to the margins as the Pike complete spawning. Vary tactics.
Coarse angling is possible around the islands and shores on calmer days but generally this is not practiced. Similar to the northern shores of Lough Derg at Portumna, there is potential to explore this type of fishing which we feel could reap significant rewards for those willing to experiment and are adventurous – but beware of the dangers of any lake particularly during windy weather – seek local advice. Anglers opting for this type of fishing will require a boat which can be hired at Lanesboro – contact Mark Shiels see details right..
FACILITIES AND ACCESS: From Lanesboro Harbour to open water and shore.
Lough Sallagh
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
** |
** |
*** |
P |
** |
** |
* |
Lough Sallagh is a very shallow lake located in north Longford beside the village of Ballinamuck. The lake has a good stock of Bream to 2lbs with a stock of Roach and Perch. The lake is very shallow and becomes very weedy during the summer months. This is a shore fishery only with very good bank access. The public road runs along the lake shore.
HOW TO GET THERE: Travel to the village of Ballinamuck and proceed though the village. Continue for about 3 miles and you will come to a sign for the lake to the right. The lake is down this
Clooncose Lake
Bream |
Roach |
Tench |
Rudd |
Hybrids |
Perch |
Pike |
P |
P |
P |
N/P |
P |
P |
P |
Access to this lake is very poor and we have very little information on this fishery. We would welcome angler feed back on the fishery.
FACILITIES AND ACCESS: Very Poor.
TO GET THERE: Travel north from Longford town to the village of Ballinamuck and proceed though the village and on for a mile. The lake is signed posted from here.