Stillwater · Limestone · West / Galway (Connemara), IE

Derryclare Lake

Wide view of Derryclare Lough, a Connemara lake, with the Twelve Bens mountain range in the background.

An iconic Connemara lough that Lough Inagh Lodge still markets for sea trout alongside salmon and brown trout.

Prime · Atlantic Salmon
Primelive now
Prime conditions — go now
Low and clear — careful approach country. Cover the water properly, fish each lie once.
85% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelDry recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp11.3°C
  • ClarityClear
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp11.3°C
ClarityClear
Weather9°C
WindS 32 km/h
Pressure1002 hPa
Rain · recent0.1 mm
Rain · ahead5.6 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Ideal
11°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though river flow could be better.
Likely species
Stoneflies
Chironomids
Gammarids
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 7 active hatches hour by hour as a supporter.

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 3 as a supporter.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

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

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Day tickets €50+ including boat
  • Lodge available.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Ballynahinch / Lough Inagh
5.0 km
0
Brown trout · Salmon · Sea trout
Ballynahinch
6.0 km
0
Salmon · Brown trout · Sea trout
Owengowla
8.0 km
0
Brown trout · Salmon · Sea trout
Gowla Lough
9.0 km
0
Sea trout · Salmon
Dawros / Kylemore
11 km
Brown trout · Salmon · Sea trout
Gallery · 2
  1. Wide view of Derryclare Lough, a Connemara lake, with the Twelve Bens mountain range in the background.
    Derryclare Lough in the Inagh Valley, Connemara, with the Twelve Bens beyond.
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

The lodge site says fishing starts in early July, the west shore and river mouths are the chosen drifts, and the fishery fishes best in high water. They cite a resurgence with fish to 5 lb in the 2010–2012 period, which is encouraging but dated — it should not be mistaken for proof of a secure modern recovery. An atmospheric, high-water, quality-over-quantity lough fishery that rewards patience. Boats included in day permits. For 2026 this is a catch-and-release fishery under the Wild Salmon & Sea Trout Tagging Scheme — all salmon and grilse must be returned.

  • Lough
  • Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Unknown
  • Chemical: Unknown
Why this score · for Atlantic Salmon
  • Temperature10030% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time9015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon —C&R
  • Trout 15 March → 30 September
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureAtlantic Salmonsalmon tactics
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
At a glance

Derryclare Lake is a lough in West / Galway (Connemara), Ireland. The catchment geology is recorded as limestone, and the water sits at about 17 m above sea level. Species listed for this water: brown trout and sea trout. It is classed as a salmon river. The trout season is recorded as running from 15 March to 30 September. Best window recorded for anglers: March–May (brown trout); June–August (sea trout). Core methods listed: dry fly (spring); wet fly drift (summer); dapping. Access is recorded as a lodge or private fishery. Boat fishing is recorded as available. Nearby waters in our listings include Ballynahinch / Lough Inagh at 5.0 km, Ballynahinch at 6.0 km and Owengowla at 8.0 km.