Public Angling Estate (NI government waters) — Northern Ireland's network of around 60 government-run public fishing waters, open to anyone who buys a licence and a permit.
Licence & permits: A DAERA rod licence (game or coarse) plus a permit or day ticket for the chosen water. The Foyle area needs a separate Loughs Agency licence.
What you can catch: Depends on the water: stocked rainbow and brown trout, wild brown trout, salmon and sea trout, and coarse species such as bream, roach, perch, tench and pike.
Beginners & kids: Under-12s do not need a rod licence. Short-term licences suit first-timers. Tuition and tackle hire vary by water, so check the individual venue.
Cost: Rod licences run from free for under-12s to a low concession rate for over-60s and disabled anglers, with a standard adult game licence in the region of £17, plus the separate permit fee. Check nidirect for current licence and permit prices.
Booking: Buy online at nidirect or from tackle shop distributors. No permit is sold without a rod licence.
Plan your visit
The two-part system: licence, then permit
Every angler on public water needs a DAERA rod licence. A game licence covers brown trout, sea trout, salmon and char; a coarse licence covers species like bream, roach, perch and pike. On top of the licence you buy a permit or day ticket for the actual water. The permit is what gives you permission to fish that reservoir or lough. Keep both on you when you fish.
Around 60 public waters across NIStocked trout, wild trout and coarse fishingRod licence plus a permit or day ticketUnder-12s fish freeConcessions for over-60s and disabled anglersBuy online or in tackle shops
Good to know before you go:
DAERA stocks its trout waters through the season and publishes annual stocking figures. Big coarse festivals such as the Classic run on Lough Erne each spring, drawing match anglers from across Europe.
Before you set off
What to bring
🎣Your rod & tackleSome fisheries hire gear — check first if you’re travelling light.
🪪Your rod licence & permitMost NI freshwater fishing needs a DAERA rod licence plus a permit — sort it before you go.
🧥Waterproofs & warm layersYou’re at the water’s edge for hours — dress for it whatever the forecast.
🥪A flask and a pieceThere’s not always a café on the bank, so pack your own.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Type
Government-run public angling scheme (the Public Angling Estate)
What you can catch
Depends on the water: stocked rainbow and brown trout, wild brown trout, salmon and sea trout, and coarse species such as bream, roach, perch, tench and pike
Licence & permits
A DAERA rod licence (game or coarse) plus a permit or day ticket for the chosen water. The Foyle area needs a separate Loughs Agency licence
Beginners & kids
Under-12s do not need a rod licence. Short-term licences suit first-timers. Tuition and tackle hire vary by water, so check the individual venue
Cost
Rod licences run from free for under-12s to a low concession rate for over-60s and disabled anglers, with a standard adult game licence in the region of £17, plus the separate permit fee. Check nidirect for current licence and permit prices
Booking
Buy online at nidirect or from tackle shop distributors. No permit is sold without a rod licence
Address
Around 60 waters across Northern Ireland
Questions
Before you go
What licence or permit do I need?
A DAERA rod licence (game or coarse) plus a permit or day ticket for the chosen water. The Foyle area needs a separate Loughs Agency licence
Is it OK for beginners and children?
Under-12s do not need a rod licence. Short-term licences suit first-timers. Tuition and tackle hire vary by water, so check the individual venue
How much does it cost?
Rod licences run from free for under-12s to a low concession rate for over-60s and disabled anglers, with a standard adult game licence in the region of £17, plus the separate permit fee. Check nidirect for current licence and permit prices
What can I catch?
Depends on the water: stocked rainbow and brown trout, wild brown trout, salmon and sea trout, and coarse species such as bream, roach, perch, tench and pike
Do I need to book?
Buy online at nidirect or from tackle shop distributors. No permit is sold without a rod licence
Getting there
Public Angling Estate (NI government waters) is at Around 60 waters across Northern Ireland. Tap below for directions.
About Public Angling Estate (NI government waters)
Northern Ireland runs one of the best-value public fishing setups in these islands. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs looks after around 60 waters known as the Public Angling Estate: stocked trout reservoirs, wild brown-trout loughs, big coarse fisheries and river stretches. You buy a rod licence and a permit, and the whole network opens up. This is the page to read first if you are new to fishing here and want to know what a licence covers, where you can fish and how to buy one.