Limestone · North West / Leitrim-Fermanagh

Lough Melvin

Lough Melvin venue image
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Cross-border limestone lake famous for its unique endemic trout phenotypes — gillaroo, sonaghan, and ferox — each with distinct feeding behaviour and appearance.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

River steady at a fishable height. A reliable day. Match the water height and fish well.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Warm — slow
14.8°Cideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature8130% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
◐Derived
Level
Proxy
Water temp
14.8°C
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
8°C
Wind
SW 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1013 hPa
Rain · 48h
21.1 mm
Moderate rain
Rain · ahead
11.4 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

No gauge on this water — conditions are inferred from Drowes. The trend transfers, the absolute level does not.

Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

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

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
All day — lough fishing is best in a good wave. Early morning and evening can produce in calm conditions.
Where
Work the drift lanes from the upwind shore across the productive zones. Cover bay edges, underwater reefs, and any areas where the bottom shoals.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
10 ft #7/8 single-hander, floating line, 10–12 lb fluoro leader. Boat seat and waterproofs for the drift.
Why this works
Good — water clarity is working for you, but time of day is the limiting factor today.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June 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
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2

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

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Border lough (Leitrim/Fermanagh)
  • State rod licence
  • Unique conservation importance — three genetically distinct trout races.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Cross-border limestone lake famous for its unique endemic trout phenotypes — gillaroo, sonaghan, and ferox — each with distinct feeding behaviour and appearance. The gillaroo feeds on snails on the lakebed; the sonaghan is a pelagic feeder. Salmon also run through. Drained by the Drowes river. One of Europe's most genetically important freshwater fish sites. The trout are fighters and the fishing is often difficult, but the setting and the fish make this a pilgrimage for knowledgeable anglers. Salmon also run the lough — spring salmon February to May, grilse from May to July. The trout phenotype experience (gillaroo, sonaghan, ferox) is the headline, but the salmon component is real and FII-documented.

  • Lough system
  • Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Unknown
  • Chemical: Unknown

EA waterbody IEUKGBNI1NW353504076

Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5
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Booking & contacts