Antrim and District Angling Association manage the Six Mile River from Doagh Bridge as far as the mouth at Lough Neagh in Antrim. The Six Mile Water is particularly well known for its wild brown trout fishing. The river is abundant with wild brown trout, large annual runs of dollaghan and a good head of salmon.
Salmon had virtually disappeared from the Six Mile Water by the early part of the twentieth century. Local anglers, concerned about the poor state of the river, formed the Antrim and District Angling Association in the late 1950s. The Association tackled many issues impacting fish migration, including the large number of weirs which had been built during the nineteenth century for the benefit of the numerous mills in the local area. Many of the mill races and ruins are still visible today.
The Six Mile Water is now a world renowned trout fishery with many specimen dollaghan caught every year - some close to 20lbs (9kgs)!
| Fishing |
Variety of Fish |
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Game fishing.
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Wild brown trout, dollaghan and salmon.
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| Methods |
Prohibited |
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Fly fishing only until 1 September. Spinning and worming allowed only in
September & October. Coarse fishing from Antrim Forum downstream to Lough Neagh but this is very seasonal – only appropriate in April and May when the roach shoals leave Lough Neagh to spawn in the river.
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Maggot, shrimp, ground baiting and treble hooks.
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Daily Bag Limit
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Note
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One trout per day, no trout to be retained over 18 inches in length. Currently catch and release.
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Some coarse fishing is permitted near to the mouth of the river where it enters Lough
Neagh.
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Licence
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Permit
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DAERA rod licence
available from www.nidirect.gov.uk/angling
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Permit providers.
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Access
Parking is plentiful around the river, given that it passes many urban developments. The most popular parking access can be found at:
- Templepatrick Bridge, Paradise Walk, Templepatrick
- Muckamore Presbyterian Church, 76 Dunadry Road, BT41 4QJ
- Kirby’s Lane, Muckamore, Antrim, BT41 4PR
- Antrim Forum Leisure Centre, Lough Road, Antrim BT41 4DQ
Opening Times:
The fishing season runs from 1 March to 31 October annually. No day tickets to be issued during October.