Hot Spot Map
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Pike Fishing

The Pike fishing at Belle Isle lends itself very well to all the recognised and well-known methods, especially as anglers have the availability and mobility of excellent boats equipped with first class outboards and anchors, to explore and fish the many hundreds of acres of the upper Lough Erne system. A combination of river style, small and large Lough fishing is on the doorstep, however there is a great deal of bank fishing available for either static bait fishing or wandering with a spinning rod.

Recommended, successful and well-tried and tested methods are as follows.

Float fishing on a running rig in the moving water with the normal baits such as roach, mackerel, sprat, herring, whiting etc is very successful due to the fact that a great deal of water can be explored and covered. 12ft 2.5lb test curve rods with free runner style reels loaded with a minimum of 15lb mono are recommended, along with sliding float rigs and barbless treble hooks.

Static float fishing also works well in the back eddies and Loughs, utilising the same equipment, along with static ledgered baits, suspended or on the bottom. When fishing this method it is recommended that attractants are used with the baits.

Trolling is a very versatile method and again very successful in covering a great deal of water but care must be taken in certain areas where there is boat traffic. The same tackle for static and float fishing can be used and we would recommend the use of a fish finder/depth sounder if available along with portable trolling locks to attach to the boat but neither are essential. Lures or baits can be trolled.

Lure Fishing is a very successful method at Belle Isle. A stout 10ft spinning rod with a reasonable ball bearing spinning reel, capable of loading with at least 10/12lb mono is recommended. As the water is generally clear and the fish are well renowned for being sight feeders, floating and sinking plugs work well. The Rapala Shad Rap is highly recommended; bright silver spoons and other such lures can equally work very well and the diversity of water conditions lends itself to experimentation.

Jerk Bait Fishing has taken many good Pike and does tend to seek out the bigger fish, but not as many as other method. The specialised Jerk bait rods available of 6ft to7ft with a multiplier, loaded with 25lb braid are recommended. Lures of Hot Orange, Rainbow trout and silver and blue patterns work well, however many other colours have been successful. It is recommended that anglers who have never fished Jerk Baits before gain advice in techniques and buying the right tackle and traces, before departing.

Fly Fishing is again, a specialised technique and advice should be gained for novices. An 11ft single-handed grilse type fly rod capable of casting a 7/8 floating or sinking line is recommended with at least 30yds of backing line on the reel. Fly leaders of braid or stout nylon of 30lb plus should be used and bright gawdy Pike flies along with mouse patterns have proved successful.

All the above methods can be fished from either boat or bank and we strongly recommend that un-hooking mats, weigh slings, large fine mesh knotless landing nets and good quality forceps are included in the anglers equipment as the policy of conservation, safe and careful handling and catch and release of the Pike is thoughtfully adopted. We discourage anglers retaining Pike in Keep Sacks.

Belle Isle Estate
Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT94 5HG
Telephone +44 (0)28 6638 7231 Facsimile +44 (0)28 6638 7261
Email fishing@pikeireland.com