Lough Ramor

Lough Ramor is the centrepiece of the Virginia angling district in County Cavan, a sprawling 800-hectare lake that wraps around the southern edge of the town. It is one of the largest and most productive coarse and pike fisheries in the east of the country, sitting at the headwaters of the Kells Blackwater, which flows on to join the River Boyne.

The lake is shallow at its southern end but deepens considerably towards the north, where depths exceeding fifteen metres have been recorded. This variation in depth and structure creates diverse habitat for a wide range of species. Lough Ramor holds excellent stocks of bream, roach, roach-bream hybrids, perch, rudd, and tench, as well as a formidable population of pike.

Pike fishing is what draws many visiting anglers to Ramor. Large pike have re-established themselves in the lake over recent years, and fish of twenty pounds are frequently reported. Several pike exceeding thirty pounds have also been recorded. Deadbaiting, lure fishing, and trolling from a boat all produce results. The many bays, reed-fringed margins, and islands provide excellent ambush habitat for predators.

Coarse match fishing is also productive, with feeder, waggler, and pole methods all working well at the developed pegs around Virginia and the southern shoreline. Brown trout are present too, averaging half a pound to a pound and a half, with occasional larger fish.

Virginia is a pleasant market town with good accommodation, restaurants, and all the facilities an angling visitor needs. Lakeland Marine and Tackle in town is the local tackle shop and a valuable source of current information. The lake is easily reached from Dublin — approximately ninety minutes via the M3 and N3.