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 .
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
