Belfast Anglers Association has always prided itself on a culture of sportsmanship, care of its waters and the environment and good relations with fishery owners, statutory agencies, agrarian owners and associated clubs. It provides access to its waters through the sale of day tickets to other anglers club waters.
Contact Details
baahonsecretary@gmail.com
Ballydugan Lake
This lovely natural lake is situated between Seaforde and Downpatrick in County Down. The lake is a very fine coarse fishery but is still designated by DAERA as a trout fishery. It contains perch, eels, roach and very large numbers of fine pike. Fly fishing for pike is very successful with double figure fish often being caught. Bait fishing and fly fishing are permitted. Boats are available for members use. There are large accessible areas for bank fishing. All fish caught must be returned to the water and members are encouraged to debarb Hooks to minimise damage to the fish.
The lake and surrounding area are particularly rich in wildlife especially waterfowl which nest around the margins so anglers must take care to avoid disturbing them. Day tickets to fish the lake may be purchased at the Lakeside Inn, BT30 8HY. You can park at the Lakeside Inn car park. BAA run pike fishing contests on the lake. The club has a water bailiff on the water and the anglers fishing the lake must hold a DAERA Game Licence and comply with all conditions.
Holywood Lakes
BAA and the Associated Holywood Angling Clubs manage and control the angling on Creightons Green Reservoir, Whinney Hill and Upper Holywood Resovior, Church Road Holywood. Fly fishing is only permitted on these lakes.
Creightons Green is stocked with rainbow trout. Anglers are encouraged to debarb hooks to minimise damage to fish that are being returned. The dam walls are easily fished but great care must be taken when they are wet. There are extensive safe wadding areas around the lake. Care must be taken on the western corner, where wading is unsafe due to deep silt and a deep drain near the shore. The area is marked with a buoy and anglers are advised not to wade in this area. Boats and flotation devices are prohibited. There is extensive and varied birdlife with many species nesting in the margins. Anglers are asked not disturb nest, especially swan sites.
Upper Holywood Reservoir – also known as Spiers Lake, lies off Church Road, Holywood. It is long and narrow with a dam wall at its eastern end. All grass banks are all safe and fine for wading with the exception of margins adjacent to the overspill which are clearly marked. It holds a fine head of brown trout. Fishing is particularly good during buzzer hatches and in the evening when sedges are on the water. The bag limit is two fish and methods are fly fishing only. The lake also has a large varied birdlife which nest in the margins and anglers should avoid disturbing nest sites.
On both Holywood waters the gates must be closed by all anglers on entry and exit. Day tickets are available for both waters from Hannah’s Flowers 15 Church Road , Holywood BT18 9BU (028 90424102). Holders of DAERA annual permits are entitled to concessionary prices. The Holywood Waters are protected by a security company and a club bailiff. Members have the right to ask to inspect day tickets and bags etc.