Assaroe Lake is a 578-acre artificial lake created by the Cathleen falls and Cliff Hydro schemes and is controlled by the ESB. Fishing is restricted in parts of the lake and shore areas. The lake has a low density but high average size of brown trout with fish up to 7lb caught in recent years. Salmon also run into the lake and are usually taken up at Cliff off the shore (no boating is allowed near the Hydro Stations).
Brown trout fishing is usually at its best during the mayfly and productive areas include the old river course where the lake is constricted (Edenagor), Patsy Quinn’s shore and from this shore to the small headland to the west. The bay inside this shore is very shallow. Shore fishing is permitted along the North shore only and is best fished with fly, spinner or worm.
The E.S.B. have carried out bank development at Cliff and installed fishing stands on the back lough to facilitate angling.
Season
The season for Salmon & Trout is from 1st March to 30th September inclusive.
Permits
One of the following permits is required to fish Assaroe.
Season:
€50 Adult season,
€25 OAP season permit.
Weekly:
€20 adult week permit,
€10 OAP weekly permit.
Day Permit:
€5 adult day permit.
These are available from:
- ESB Generating Station, Cathleen’s Falls, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Tel: (071) 9851200. - O’Neill’s Newsagents, Bridgend, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Tel: +353 (0) 71 9851159.
Boat Permit:
To launch a boat on the fishery you will require a seasonal boat permit at €60.(Only available at the ESB station)
