Days Out NI
Fishing & angling Stoneyford

Stoneyford Reservoir (PAE)

A 55-hectare public water-supply reservoir near Lisburn, stocked with trout for fly, spinning and worm anglers.

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

Stoneyford Reservoir (PAE) — A 55-hectare public water-supply reservoir near Lisburn, stocked with trout for fly, spinning and worm anglers.

  • Licence & permits: DAERA game rod licence plus DAERA game fishing permit, required for anglers aged 12 and over. Buy at nidirect.
  • What you can catch: Stocked trout.
  • Beginners & kids: No tackle hire or tuition on site; you bring your own gear. Under-12s do not need a licence.
  • Cost: Rod licence plus permit; check current prices on nidirect.
  • Booking: No booking. Buy your licence and permit in advance, then fish the bank.
  • Facilities: None on the bank: no hut, toilets, car park or fishing stands. Wading allowed with care.
Plan your visit

The fishing

Stoneyford is stocked with takeable trout and fished from the bank. Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing are all allowed. Early in the season, sunk lures and streamers worked slowly can pull fish before the water warms. The bag limit is four stocked trout per day, and any trout you keep must be at least 25.4cm. Boats are not permitted, so all the fishing is from the shore.

55-hectare reservoir near Lisburn Stocked trout Fly, spinning and worm fishing Bank fishing and careful wading Open 8am to 10pm, March to October
Good to know before you go:

DAERA stocks its trout waters through the season and publishes annual stocking figures on its website.

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 permit water (DAERA Public Angling Estate) - stocked trout
What you can catch
Stocked trout
Licence & permits
DAERA game rod licence plus DAERA game fishing permit, required for anglers aged 12 and over. Buy at nidirect
Beginners & kids
No tackle hire or tuition on site; you bring your own gear. Under-12s do not need a licence
Cost
Rod licence plus permit; check current prices on nidirect
Booking
No booking. Buy your licence and permit in advance, then fish the bank
Facilities
None on the bank: no hut, toilets, car park or fishing stands. Wading allowed with care
Season & hours
1 March to 31 October, fishing permitted 8am to 10pm
Address
Off Huntshill Road, near Stoneyford, Lisburn
Questions

Before you go

What licence or permit do I need?
DAERA game rod licence plus DAERA game fishing permit, required for anglers aged 12 and over. Buy at nidirect
Is it OK for beginners and children?
No tackle hire or tuition on site; you bring your own gear. Under-12s do not need a licence
How much does it cost?
Rod licence plus permit; check current prices on nidirect
What can I catch?
Stocked trout
Do I need to book?
No booking. Buy your licence and permit in advance, then fish the bank
Getting there

Stoneyford Reservoir (PAE) is at Off Huntshill Road, near Stoneyford, Lisburn. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About Stoneyford Reservoir (PAE)

Stoneyford is a big upland-feel reservoir on the hills above Lisburn, run as part of Northern Ireland's Public Angling Estate. It covers 55 hectares and holds stocked trout, fished from the bank by fly, spinning or worm. The solid shoreline makes for straightforward shore fishing, and wading is allowed if you take care. It is a quiet, no-frills water for licensed anglers rather than a managed family day-ticket fishery.