Lough Allen is the first of the big lakes on the
River Shannon. It is a great, wild lough, 8 miles long by 1.5 miles wide and
lies between the Slieve Anierin Mountains to the east and the Arigina Mountains
to the west. The water level on the lake is controlled by sluice gates at
Ballintra and can flucuate by as much as 5 feet.
Lough Allen is a mixed fishery; it is noted for its pike
fishing and holds many other species besides. What is less known is that there
is a good stock of trout averaging 1.5lb with the best known one to have been
taken on rod and line weighing in at about 12.5lb in 1998. There is a small
mayfly hatch, though it is maintained that the best trout fishing is in April,
August and September. The area from Gobcormongan to the mouth of the Stoney
river, on the east shore, is a noted area for trout and is often referred to as
'Murder Mile' by anglers trolling for Pike because of the number of trout that
come to the baits.
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland. It rises in the mountains of
West Cavan and flow south for 160 miles to the tide at Limerick. The total
catchment for the River and its tributaries is approximately 6,060 square miles.
for the most part, this is a big sluggish river which connects the great three lakes
Allen, Ree and Derg.
The Shannon is a mixed fishery and holds a wide range of coarse fish and pike as
well as trout.