A fishing licence is required by law for all freshwater fishing in Northern Ireland . There are two distinct licencing authorities covering different areas .

• Department of Agriculture,Environment & Rural Affairs  (D.A.E.R.A.)
• Foyle,Carlingford & Irish Lights Commission (F.C.I.L.C.) also known as the Loughs Agency

On payment of a small fee an endorsement is available to allow anglers licenced in one jurisdiction to fish legally in the other area .

Licences are available in two categories - Game licences and Coarse licences .

Game Licences

Game species include Salmon , Trout , Sea-Trout and Char .

A Game licence is required for each rod used by anyone over 12 years of age in the DAERA area and for all ages in the Loughs Agency area .

In the DAERA area a Game licence may also be used for Coarse fishing but with only one rod at a time . Anglers wishing to use more than one rod must purchase a separate licence for each rod used .

Coarse Licences

Coarse species include Pike , Bream , Perch , Roach , Carp , Tench , Rudd , Eels .

A DAERA Coarse rod licence is required by anyone over the age of 12 years and entitles the holder to use up to two rods . A separate licence is required if an additional rod is to be used . Anglers of all ages require a licence in the Loughs Agency (FCILC) area .

A coarse licence does not entitle an angler to fish for Game species or in any water designated as a Game fishery .

Mid Antrim Angling Centre are distributors for DAERA and both licences and permits may be purchased in-store . 

DAERA and FCILC  licences and permits are also available to purchase online .

• DAERA licences & permits
• FCILC   licences & permits

                                  A typical Kellswater Dollaghan                                                                                                Releasing a good Salmon   

Permits

Being in possession of a valid rod licence does not confer the right to fish any particular water . Permits are issued by the fishery owner , giving the angler the right to fish in that fishery .

Fishery owners may be ;

• A private individual
• A company
• An Angling Club
• DAERA - Public Angling Estate

DAERA permits are available online or in-store and we also sell day-tickets for a number of local waters on behalf of the angling clubs . 

• Gracehill , Galgorm & District AC  -  River Maine & Cloughwater River
• Kells , Connor & Glenwherry AC  -  Kellswater River
• Braid Angling Club                           -  River Braid
• Clough & Glenravel AC                    - Cloughwater River
• Hon. The Irish Society                  - River Lower Bann