Limestone · Co. Fermanagh

Lough Erne

Lough Erne Cakes venue image
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Lough Erne (Upper and Lower) is the only large limestone water in Northern Ireland and one of the finest wild brown trout fisheries in Europe.

Prime · Pike
Bibio (10–12) · 12–16
Primelive now
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelModerate rain recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp14.4°C
  • ClarityClear
Today’s fly
Bibio (10–12)
Bibio (10–12)12–16
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Moderate rain recently
No gauge reading
Water temp14.4°C
ClarityClear
Weather18°C
WindSW 11 km/h
Pressure1016 hPa
Rain · recent16.9 mm
Rain · ahead4.7 mm

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

Water temperature for pike
Ideal
14°C est.ideal 8–18°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for pike
When
May (mayfly), June–August (sedge/bumble)
Where
Lough Erne (Upper and Lower) is the only large limestone water in Northern Ireland and one of the finest wild brown trout fisheries in Europe.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though time of day could be better.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 8 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalModerate confidence

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

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

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

Ranked for today
Pike fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Upper Lough MacNean
17 km
Brown trout · Pike
Lough Erne (Upper & Lower)
18 km
Pike · Brown trout · Salmon
Corranny Lake
22 km
Rainbow trout
Lough Corry
23 km
Brown trout
Pettigo Lakes
27 km
Brown trout
Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Lough Erne (Upper and Lower) is the only large limestone water in Northern Ireland and one of the finest wild brown trout fisheries in Europe. The mayfly hatch (second and third week of May) is legendary — when it happens, trout of 2–5 lb rise freely in the bays and along the shoreline. The lower lake is deeper and more exposed; the upper lake is shallower with extensive reed beds. Boat fishing is the norm — drift through bays and along islands. The Fermanagh landscape of drumlins, limestone outcrops, and ancient woodland makes this one of the most beautiful fishing destinations in Ireland. Free fishing — no permit required for brown trout on the lough.

  • Limestone
The full read · show the working · for pike · confidence 90%
How the 84 is built — score × weight = contribution
Temperature100 × 28%28.0
Flow90 × 22%19.8
Clarity85 × 18%15.3
Feeding Time55 × 13%7.2
Pressure80 × 7%5.6
Insect activity64 × 12%7.7
Conditions total= 84
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Prey activitysurvey-backed invertebrate datasurvey
What would change the calculation
The dawn and dusk windows score higher than the midday lull.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 March → 30 September
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureConnemaraIrish fishing
Booking & contacts