Days Out NI
Fishing & angling Belfast

Shaw's Lake Fishery

A 50-acre trout fly fishery with a café, tackle shop and free fishing for kids, near Markethill in Co Armagh.

4 photos
By permitDay ticket or permit
Day ticketBeginners welcome
BelfastFishing & angling
Get directionsOfficial website
Day ticketDay ticket
FreshwaterTrout & coarse
Beginners OKKids welcome
Licence + permitBefore you fish
On siteParking

Shaw's Lake Fishery — A 50-acre trout fly fishery with a café, tackle shop and free fishing for kids, near Markethill in Co Armagh.

  • Licence & permits: Fishery day ticket or season ticket plus a DAERA rod licence for game fishing. Check current requirements on nidirect or with the fishery.
  • What you can catch: Brown trout, rainbow trout and perch (fly only).
  • Beginners & kids: Free fishing for children; tackle shop on site; café and clubhouse. Beginners welcome.
  • Cost: Day tickets and season tickets (March to October) available at the fishery. Check current prices with the fishery.
  • Booking: Day ticket at the fishery; contact the fishery to arrange a boat or season ticket.
  • Facilities: Café, clubhouse, tackle shop, toilets, car park, accessible pegs, rowing boats.
Plan your visit

The water

The lake runs to more than 50 acres and is famous for its over-wintered rainbows and big browns, with early-season buzzer hatches giving way to sedges through the summer. Around 70 percent is fishable from the bank, with accessible pegs, and you can hire a rowing boat to fish it in the traditional drifting style. It is fly only, with barbless hooks required and bite-attracting substances banned.

50-acre trout fly fishery Over-wintered rainbows and big brown trout Café, clubhouse and tackle shop on site Free fishing for kids Rowing boats and accessible pegs
Good to know before you go:

Shaw's runs a season from March to October and keeps the lake well stocked with over-wintered fish. Follow the fishery's Facebook page for matches, stocking news and open days.

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
Day-ticket trout fly fishery
What you can catch
Brown trout, rainbow trout and perch (fly only)
Licence & permits
Fishery day ticket or season ticket plus a DAERA rod licence for game fishing. Check current requirements on nidirect or with the fishery.
Beginners & kids
Free fishing for children; tackle shop on site; café and clubhouse. Beginners welcome.
Cost
Day tickets and season tickets (March to October) available at the fishery. Check current prices with the fishery.
Booking
Day ticket at the fishery; contact the fishery to arrange a boat or season ticket.
Facilities
Café, clubhouse, tackle shop, toilets, car park, accessible pegs, rowing boats.
Parking
On-site car park.
Address
Shaw's Lake Fishery, Mowhan Road, Glenanne, near Markethill, Co Armagh BT60 2JE
Booking phone
07394 564887 (William Maguiness)
Questions

Before you go

What licence or permit do I need?
Fishery day ticket or season ticket plus a DAERA rod licence for game fishing. Check current requirements on nidirect or with the fishery.
Is it OK for beginners and children?
Free fishing for children; tackle shop on site; café and clubhouse. Beginners welcome.
How much does it cost?
Day tickets and season tickets (March to October) available at the fishery. Check current prices with the fishery.
What can I catch?
Brown trout, rainbow trout and perch (fly only)
Do I need to book?
Day ticket at the fishery; contact the fishery to arrange a boat or season ticket.
Getting there

Shaw's Lake Fishery is at Shaw's Lake Fishery, Mowhan Road, Glenanne, near Markethill, Co Armagh BT60 2JE. On-site car park. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BelfastSee what else is close by More fishing & angling across NIFisheries, loughs and sea marks
The story

The lake in the drumlins

Set in the little hills south of Markethill, Shaw's has grown from a quiet trout lough into a full angling hub with a café and a shop, run by Shaws Fisheries. The free fishing for kids is the part that stays with families: bring the children, let them cast, and the day costs you a ticket and a cup of tea rather than a small fortune.