Hillsborough Lake
The lake is rich in nutrients providing prolific hatches of flies such as midges. Successful flies include gold-headed nymphs and surface pupa. Great care must be taken by anglers not to endanger the many pedestrians using the area.
The lake is in Hillsborough Forest, a large park with scenic wooded parkland, forest walks and lakeside paths. Fly fishing is not permitted from the dam or the shore adjacent to the dam nor in the vicinity of the footbridge at the southern point of the lake. The lake is a sanctuary wildlife, including swans and several varieties of ducks. Do not leave litter
The presence of Zebra Mussels is still preventing the stocking of fish from Movanagher Fish Farm. For more information, please visit Zebra Mussels and impact on fish stocking in the Public Angling Estate.
Key Information
| Fishery Type | Game |
|---|---|
| Species | Rainbow Trout |
| Season Open | 1st February |
| Season Close | 31st December |
| Rod Licence | 12 years old and over DAERA Game Rod Licence |
| Permit | 12 years old and over DAERA Game Fishing Permit |
| Fishing methods | Fly Fishing, Spinning and Worm Fishing. From the dam shores and the footbridge at the southern point of the lake, Spinning and Worm Fishing Only |
| Bag Limit | Four Stocked Trout minimum length 25.4cm |
Buy a DAERA Licence, Permit or Day Ticket
| Car Parking Onsite | Yes |
|---|---|
| Disabled Car Parking Onsite | Yes |
| Fishing Stands | No |
| Disabled accessible fishing stands | No |
| Boats Allowed | No |
| Boat Restrictions | N/A |
Click here for location on Google Maps
Directions
- From Belfast: Take the M1 to the Lisburn (Sprucefield) junction, take the A1 to Hillsborough; turn left just before the roundabout onto the B177 to go through the town. The entrance is signposted on the Dromore Road as you leave Hillsborough.
- From Ballynahinch: Take the B177 to Hillsborough and go through the town, as above.
| Local Council Area | Lisburn & Castlereagh |
|---|---|
| Nearest populated area | Hillsborough |
| Water Type | Lake |
| Water Area / Size | 14 Hectacres |