Best Fishing in Belfast (2026): Top Spots, Lakes & Rivers Within 25 Miles
71 named fishing venues sit within 25 miles of Belfast, carp lakes, day-ticket fisheries, canals and river stretches. Below are the top 12, sorted by distance, with species, descriptions and direct links to each venue page.
Top 12 Fishing Spots in Belfast
Sorted by distance from Belfast city centre. Click any venue for full details: species, facilities, postcode and how to book.
Listicle
- 1
Upper Pond
· 2 miles N of BelfastUpper Pond is a fishing venue in Belfast, holding barbel, bream, carp, chub, crucian.
barbelbreamcarpchubcrucianpike
- 2
Ballyaghagan Upper Reservoir
· 3 miles N of BelfastBallyaghagan Upper Reservoir is a named reservoir in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Mapped access is private/members-only. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
- 3
Half Moon Lake
· 4 miles SW of BelfastHalf Moon Lake is a named lake in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 4
Knockbracken Reservoir
· 5 miles S of BelfastSet in Northern Ireland, Knockbracken Reservoir is a reservoir. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
- 5
Hydepark Dam
· 6 miles NW of BelfastHydepark Dam is a named reservoir in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
- 6
Boghil Dam
· 6 miles NW of BelfastBoghil Dam is a named reservoir in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 7
Ballysallagh Upper Reservoir
· 7 miles E of BelfastSet in Northern Ireland, Ballysallagh Upper Reservoir is a reservoir. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 8
Ballyalloly Lough
· 7 miles SE of BelfastSet in Northern Ireland, Ballyalloly Lough is a lake. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 9
Boomers Reservoir
· 7 miles SW of BelfastBoomers Reservoir is a named reservoir in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 10
Duncan's Dam
· 7 miles SW of BelfastSet in Northern Ireland, Duncan's Dam is a reservoir. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 11
Ballysallagh Lower Reservoir
· 8 miles E of BelfastBallysallagh Lower Reservoir is a reservoir in Scotland. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 12
Leathemstown Reservoir
· 8 miles W of BelfastLeathemstown Reservoir is a named reservoir in Northern Ireland, listed in the GilledIt directory. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club, so check for day tickets and access before travelling. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
Want more options? Browse the full Northern Ireland pond directory →
Free vs Day-Ticket Fishing Near Belfast
Most UK fishing falls into one of three access types. Here's how they break down around your area.
Access & Licensing
Day-Ticket Fisheries
Commercial venues with stocked lakes, pegs, parking and toilets. Tickets typically £8–£25 per day. Best for beginners, families and anyone wanting reliable bites near Belfast.
Free Fishing
Public stretches of river, canal towpaths and some park lakes. No venue fee, but you still need a valid rod licence (or permit in Scotland and NI). Plenty of free urban water exists around Belfast.
Club Waters
Annual club memberships (£30–£150/year) unlock multiple lakes and river beats around Belfast. Best value if you fish weekly.
Licence requirement in Belfast
Belfast sits in Northern Ireland, where freshwater fishing requires a DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) rod licence and a permit from the water's controlling body. A DAERA season rod licence costs £17.00/year for coarse (two rods) or game (one rod), dropping to £5.00 from age 60 (2026 rates). Loughs Agency licences are needed for Foyle and Carlingford catchments. Day and short licences are available, and most venues sell permits on site.
Best Time to Fish Near Belfast
Each season opens different doors. Here's what to target through the year.
When to Go
Spring
March – May
Spring is when waters near Belfast wake up. Stillwater fisheries come alive as temperatures climb, and game fishing gets under way on many waters, season dates vary by fishery, so check DAERA or the Loughs Agency rules for the water you plan to fish.
Summer
June – August
Peak season. Coarse and stillwater venues around Belfast feed hard through summer; early-morning and late-evening sessions beat the heat. Sea fishing from the Northern Irish coast picks up for mackerel.
Autumn
September – November
Autumn around Belfast is the predator-angler's window, pike and perch hunt hard as small fish shoal up, and coarse sport on the loughs is often at its best as fish feed up before winter.
Winter
December – February
Winter near Belfast thins the crowds. Pike fishing peaks, and stocked rainbow trout fisheries fish well year-round. Pick mild, overcast days and target deeper water where fish hold up.
Belfast Fishing FAQ
There are over 71 named fishing venues within 25 miles of Belfast, ranging from commercial day-ticket carp lakes to free stretches of river and canal. The top spots within easy reach include Upper Pond, Ballyaghagan Upper Reservoir, Half Moon Lake. Each offers different species and access; see the listing below for distance, species and a description of each venue.
Most freshwater fishing in Northern Ireland is permit-based, but DAERA-managed Public Angling Estate (PAE) waters offer affordable day permits across the province, with several PAE venues within easy reach of Belfast. Sea fishing from the Northern Irish coast is free.
Yes. In Northern Ireland you need a DAERA rod licence to fish freshwater. A season rod licence is £17.00 for coarse (two rods) or game (one rod), dropping to £5.00 from age 60 (2026). You also need a permit from whoever owns the fishing, usually the local fishery, club or the Loughs Agency for cross-border catchments. Sea fishing from the shore is licence-free.
The most commonly stocked and reported species across venues within 25 miles of Belfast are Brown Trout, Pike, Roach, Barbel, Bream, Carp. Species mix varies by venue, check each venue page for its recorded list.
Based on proximity and venue data, Upper Pond is the closest fishing venue to Belfast at around 2 miles N. Upper Pond is a fishing venue in Belfast, holding barbel, bream, carp, chub, crucian. Browse the listing below to compare top venues by distance.
Start Your Belfast Fishing Diary
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