Lough Gara

Lough Gara is a substantial coarse fishing lough straddling the Roscommon–Sligo border, fed by the Lung River and draining eastward through the Boyle River into the broader Shannon system. It is one of the better-known coarse venues in the northwest of Ireland, offering reliable sport for pike, bream, roach, rudd, and tench without the crowds that gather on more famous midland waters.

The lough extends roughly six kilometres north to south and sits in quiet, rolling countryside south of the Curlew Mountains. Its shores are accessible and largely undeveloped, with two main access points — on the northern and southern shores — each providing car parking, slipways, and purpose-built fishing stands. Disabled-access fishing stands have been installed at both points, making Lough Gara one of the more inclusive coarse venues in the region.

Pike are the lough's flagship species. Fish to over 20lbs have been recorded, and the combination of reed-fringed margins, shallow bays, and deeper central water creates excellent habitat for large predators throughout the year. The best pike sport tends to come from October through early spring when pike are most active and baitfish are concentrated.

Coarse fish are plentiful and provide consistent sport for pleasure anglers and match fishermen alike. Bream shoals can be impressive in the summer months, with fish to 3kg encountered by specimen hunters fishing groundbait beds close to the stands. Roach and rudd hybridise freely in Irish loughs, and Lough Gara is no exception — lively shoals are active throughout the warmer months, providing fast sport on light tackle.

There is no permit required for coarse fishing or pike angling on Lough Gara, and a state fishing licence is not required for these species in the Republic of Ireland. Brown trout have been recorded in the lough, particularly in the feeder streams, and standard IFI trout regulations apply if targeting them.

The lough sits within easy reach of Ballaghaderreen (Co. Roscommon) and Boyle (Co. Roscommon), both of which offer accommodation. The fishing here is low-key and unpretentious — exactly what many coarse anglers are looking for on the Irish lakelands.