The Dunfanaghy fishery comprises of three lakes: Sessiagh Lough, Port Lough and the New Lake. These are controlled by the Dunfanaghy Angling Association.
The lakes are all noted for their wild brown trout with the New Lake thought to be one of the best brown trout fisheries in the county. The season on the Lakes starts on the nearest weekend to St. Patrick’s day, but the lakes are not usually fished until April. Whilst there is no bag limit at the moment anglers are asked to keep conservation of the wild trout in mind, the unofficial bag limit is two trout.
Sessiagh Lough is an 80 acre alkaline lough with brown trout averaging 1lb. Four boats are available and bank fishing is permitted. Sessiagh Lough fishes best early and late summer. Recommended flies are the Black Pennell, Wickham’s Fancy, Invicta and Greenwell’s Glory.
Port Lough is a 75 acre Lough with a large population of wild brown trout that average ½ lb. but can run up to 1lb. Two boats are available and bank fishing is permitted. The fish are free rising and any of the traditional fly patterns produce results.
New Lake is a 230 acre lake created by the Atlantic storm of 1920 and now recognised as one of the premier brown trout fisheries in the county. The lake is very shallow with an average depth of 2m. Trout range from 1 to 2lb with many much bigger fish reported. Six boats are available and bank fishing is not permitted. As with Port Lough, any of the traditional trout flies produce good results.
Season
15th March to 30th September.
Permits
Daily permits are available from
- Arnold’s hotel, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.
Tel: (074) 9136208.
A daily permit costs €14, a half day permit €10 and a weekly permit €60.
Boat Hire
- Boat hire (boat only): daily €17, half day €12 and weekly €60.
- Boats are available from Arnold’s Hotel (as above).
