Lowland · Mixed · North West / Donegal

River Erne (Ballyshannon)

River Erne (Ballyshannon) terrain map
Terrain map

The Erne salmon fishery lies below the Cathleen Falls hydro dam at Ballyshannon — a large, regulated river fished mainly for spring salmon and grilse in the holding water below the generating station.

Poor · Atlantic Salmon
Poorlive now
Slow going — better windows ahead
Low and clear — careful approach country. Stale fish in low clear water spook easily — pick your hour.
90% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelLight rain recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp21.9°C
  • ClarityClear
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Light rain recently
No gauge reading
Water temp21.9°C
ClarityClear
Weather27°C
WindE 17 km/h
Pressure1013 hPa
Rain · recent2.5 mm
Rain · ahead27.9 mm

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

Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Warm — slow
22°C est.ideal 10–14°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
⛔ Water at 21.9°C. This is the line where catch-and-release kills atlantic salmon. Do not fish for them today.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 9 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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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 · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Terrestrial BeetlesHatch
2
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1

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

What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Water here around 22°C. Nothing cooler within range — carry a thermometer.
About this water

The Erne salmon fishery lies below the Cathleen Falls hydro dam at Ballyshannon — a large, regulated river fished mainly for spring salmon and grilse in the holding water below the generating station. The flows are hydro-controlled, so read the water as it is given to you on the day rather than as you would wish it. Salmon and sea trout are open for 2026. ESB and IFI managed; permits through the Erne fishery, and the State Licence is required.

  • Mixed
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Unknown
  • Chemical: Unknown
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature030% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time8515% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 March → 30 September
  • Sea trout1 March → 30 September
Related guides
Atlantic Salmonsalmon tacticsIrish Salmon Rivers Guidefive great salmon fisheriesConnemaraIrish fishing
Booking & contacts