A DAERA Rod Licence is required for all fishing and can be purchased directly using this link.
Carnroe fishes best at low water. The River Bann is controlled by a series of sluice gates.
Methods Permitted: – All salmon and sea trout must be released alive after capture. This is a DAERA regulation: see DAERA's website for more details here: In summary, no barbed or treble hooks may be used, and worming is not permitted at any time. Anglers may continue to spin, but only with single or double barbless hooks. Prawning and fly fishing are also acceptable methods. Fish should be handled gently and kept in the water at all times, even when taking photos. Any salmon or sea trout injured or bleeding during the catch must be returned to the water immediately. All catches must be recorded in the guide’s book. Other local fishery rules are:
- If the water level on the Carnroe Lock gauge is above 16½ ft., all permitted methods, including spinning from bank or boats are allowed on the whole beat.
- If the water level is below 16½ ft., only fly-fishing is permitted on the Throw, (between the Weir and the white posts downstream). All other methods are permitted on the rest of the beat, but spinning is prohibited in an area at Risk known as the shingle bank, which is marked by a blue (upstream) and red (downstream) post.
- Prawn fishing by boat: boats are not to be anchored upstream of the culvert marker at the Slope.
- Water temperature: closure of the fishery due to unusually high water temperatures will be at the discretion of the guide.
- High water levels: the guide may close the fishery if in his opinion the water level is too high for safe fishing.
Boats & Engines – Are under the control of the guide and must be treated with the greatest respect. Only petrol issued by guides is to be used in Irish Society boats. The fly stream may only be accessed by wading or by rowed boat, not engine powered.
General boat guidelines:
- Keep boats out of the main streams and reduce engine noise where possible.
- Minimise the number of boats operating at any one time.
- Ensure that boats are driven slowly from the blue marker up to the Throw at tick-over speed and from Throw down to the blue marker at the end of the Slope and in the area between the blue and red markers at Risk.
Time of Fishing – The season is Monday 5th May to Sunday 19th October. Time of fishing is 8.00am to 2.00pm and 3.00pm to 9.00pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.
Behaviour – In the event of unsportsmanlike behaviour on the part of any angler or any breach of these rules, the Society reserves the right to ask that angler to leave the fishery at once and if necessary, to disqualify them from future visits. Anglers are reminded that foul hooking is an offence against DAERA regulations. If the guide believes an angler to be under the influence of alcohol, he may prevent that angler from using the Society’s boats or equipment.
Safety Warning – As the Lower Bann is a deep river with variable water levels, we point out that anglers fish at their own risk and must wear a lifejacket. These are issued free of charge and are to be signed for in the guide’s book and returned the same day. Emergency first aid equipment is held at the guide’s hut.
Prior to arrival, it is recommended to read the Angling Rules in Northern Ireland using this link to ensure that Fishing on the River Bann is an enjoyable experience for all.
