Limestone · Midlands / Westmeath

Lough Owel

Golden sunset over the open water of Lough Owel, County Westmeath.
Fair · Trout
Peter Ross Dabbler · 10-12
Fairlive now
Murrough expected on Lough Owel
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
52% confidence
What moved it
  • WindNW 12 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Peter Ross Dabbler
Peter Ross Dabbler10-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
NW 12 km/h
N
NW
from the north-west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp—
Air temp14°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure—
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
March–September; mayfly mid-May; excellent hatches throughout season
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Murrough on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Murrough on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Murrough should come on through the afternoon as the water warms.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 2 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Green PeterHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
Permits & access
Free state water
State rod licence required for trout / salmon as applicable.
  • Midlands lough near Mullingar
  • No permit — state rod licence only
  • Boats available
  • Fly only
  • C&R encouraged.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Lough Derravaragh
10 km
Brown trout
Lough Ennell
11 km
Brown trout · Pike
Mount Dalton Lake
12 km
Brown trout
Lough Lene
14 km
Brown trout
Riverstown River
15 km
Brown trout
Gallery · 6
  1. Golden sunset over the open water of Lough Owel, County Westmeath.
    Lough Owel at sunset
  2. Broad daytime view across Lough Owel, County Westmeath.
    Lough Owel
  3. Boats moored on the shore of Lough Owel with open water and far shore beyond.
    Boats at Lough Owel
  4. Lough Owel looking south-west from the north-east shore.
    Lough Owel, County Westmeath
  5. Open water of Lough Owel viewed from the shoreline, County Westmeath.
    Lough Owel, County Westmeath
  6. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Good
  • Chemical: Unknown
What this classification means

WFD code normalized 2026-06-18: IE_SH_26_703 → IESH_26_703 (EPA national format → EEA WISE euSurfaceWaterBodyCode; same water body, now joinable to WISE). Status confirmed against EEA WISE 2022 (3rd RBMP). Source: discodata.eea.europa.eu. | Prior note: EPA WFD 2019-2024 (lake layer) — Lough Owel: Good ecological status. Re-tagged 2026-06-18 from IESH_25B090100 (a river/stream water body, not the lough) to the lough's own EPA lake water body. Source: EPA Ireland WFD 2019-2024 classification (catchments.ie / EDEN).

EPA (Ireland) · IESH_26_703

Why this score
  • Murrough is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 March → 12 October
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureConnemaraIrish fishing
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts