Top 5 Lakes around Ballinamore
Lakes around Ballinamore, situated in County Leitrim's lakeland district, offer a diverse natural landscape. The area features over 40 lakes within a 10 km radius, providing numerous opportunities for exploration. These bodies of water are known for their natural features and angling potential.
Best lakes around Ballinamore
- The most popular lakes is Lough Allen, a lake that is the source of the River Shannon. Measuring 14.5 km long and 5 km wide, it is a significant body of water. Mesolithic human activity, including over 1,000 stone tools, has been discovered at the lake.
- Another must-see spot is Lough Scur, a freshwater lake with a history of human presence dating back thousands of years. Archaeological finds include a canoe and axes, and it is a popular venue for match angling.
- Visitors also love Garadice Lake, a freshwater lake popular for fishing. It is one of Ireland's premier angling destinations, regularly hosting the World Pairs Angling Championships.
- Ballinamore is known for its diverse fishing lakes, including those with good populations of pike, bream, and tench. The area offers a variety of lakes for coarse and pike angling.
- The lakes around Ballinamore are appreciated by the komoot community, with 4 highlights and 3 photos shared.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Lough Allen
Highlight • Lake
Humans have been present at the lake for thousands of years. Mesolithic traces such as more than 1,000 stone tools made from flint, chert, quartz, mudstone, and basalt were discovered at the lake.
Today, the lake is a wonderful place to relax and take in the biodiversity. The water quality is excellent, although the lake's ecology is unfortunately under threat from invasive species such as curly waterweed, like many other lakes in Ireland.
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Acres Lake Boardwalk
Highlight • Bridge
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Lough Scur
Highlight • Lake
The lake features in many Irish legends. According to 19th-century folklore, it was named after Oscar son of Oisin, who was buried at Aghascur, "the field of Scur."
The 0.6 miles (1 km) long glistening lake is home to many fish such as roach and eel. The lake's wonderful nature is unfortunately under threat from pollution as well as invasive plant species.
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Garadice Lake
Highlight • Lake
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Tips from the Community
Wonderful, quiet lake with nice rest areas on the shore.
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From the road here you gain views of Garadice Lake, a picturesque freshwater lake. The lake is popular for fishing and has good numbers of pike.
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The triangular-shaped Lough Allen is a beautiful lake on the River Shannon, out of which the Shannon takes it source. Measuring 9 miles (14.5 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) in width, the lake is an impressive sight. Humans have been present at the lake for thousands of years. Mesolithic traces such as more than 1,000 stone tools made from flint, chert, quartz, mudstone, and basalt were discovered at the lake. Today, the lake is a wonderful place to relax and take in the biodiversity. The water quality is excellent, although the lake's ecology is unfortunately under threat from invasive species such as curly waterweed, like many other lakes in Ireland.
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Nice path on the banks of Acres Lough. Bird watching is also good here.
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The triangular-shaped Lough Allen is a beautiful lake on the River Shannon, out of which the Shannon takes it source. Measuring 9 miles (14.5 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) in width, the lake is an impressive sight. Humans have been present at the lake for thousands of years. Mesolithic traces such as more than 1,000 stone tools made from flint, chert, quartz, mudstone, and basalt were discovered at the lake. Today, the lake is a wonderful place to relax and take in the biodiversity. The water quality is excellent, although the lake's ecology is unfortunately under threat from invasive species such as curly waterweed, like many other lakes in Ireland.
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Lough Scur is a freshwater lake that has been home to humans for thousands of years. It is thought that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers visited the lake as early as 8,000 BC. Archeologists found a canoe and axes at the lake and evidence of a Bronze Age human settlement on the lakeshore. The lake features in many Irish legends. According to 19th-century folklore, it was named after Oscar son of Oisin, who was buried at Aghascur, "the field of Scur." The 0.6 miles (1 km) long glistening lake is home to many fish such as roach and eel. The lake's wonderful nature is unfortunately under threat from pollution as well as invasive plant species.
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The wooden footbridge leads directly over the small lake.
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Don't bother going into the town, no cycle lanes, good food in jinny's tea rooms beside acres lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical or archaeological sites can I explore near the lakes?
The Ballinamore area is rich in history. Lough Scur, for instance, has evidence of human presence dating back to Mesolithic hunter-gatherers around 8,000 BC, with archaeological finds including a canoe and axes. Lough Allen also shows Mesolithic activity, with over 1,000 stone tools discovered.
Are there good fishing opportunities around Ballinamore's lakes?
Yes, Ballinamore is renowned as an angler's paradise. Garadice Lake is one of Ireland's premier angling destinations, regularly hosting the World Pairs Angling Championships. Other excellent spots include Lough Scur for match angling, and St. John's and Kiltybardan Loughs for pike and bream. The cluster of lakes including Bolganard, Corgar, Drumlonan, and Corduff are highly regarded for bream and tench.
Which lakes are suitable for families or offer easy access?
For families and easy access, the Acres Lake Boardwalk is an excellent choice, offering a wooden footbridge directly over the lake and being wheelchair accessible. Keshcarrigan Lake also provides concrete fishing stands, some of which are wheelchair accessible, making it a good option for varied mobility.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near the lakes?
Beyond fishing, the Ballinamore area offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy walks like the Kilronan castle loop. For cyclists, there are diverse road cycling routes, such as the Ultach Memorial – Lough Allen loop. There are also running trails, like the Shanon Erne Waterway – Acres Lake Boardwalk loop.
Are there any lakes known for their natural beauty or biodiversity?
Lough Allen is a significant body of water on the River Shannon, known for its excellent water quality and rich biodiversity, making it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature. Many lakes in the region, like Carrickport Lough, are also largely reed-fringed, providing natural habitats.
Where can I find good viewpoints of the lakes?
Many of the lakes offer picturesque views. From the road near Garadice Lake, you can gain lovely views of this freshwater lake. The Acres Lake Boardwalk also provides scenic views along the banks of Acres Lough, ideal for bird watching.
What types of fish can be found in Ballinamore's lakes?
The lakes around Ballinamore are home to a variety of fish species. You can find Roach, Hybrids, Rudd, Perch, Pike, and Bream in Garadice Lake. St. John's Lake has potential for large bream catches, along with roach, hybrids, perch, and occasional tench. Corgar Lake is noted for large tench, quality bream, rudd, roach, hybrids, pike, and perch.
Are there any lakes suitable for boat fishing?
Yes, Carrickport Lough, located at Drumcong village, is mostly reed-fringed, making boat fishing an ideal way to explore its waters and find good stocks of pike. A boat slipway is also available at Haughton's Shore on Garadice Lake.
What is the best time to visit the lakes around Ballinamore?
While the lakes offer beauty year-round, angling is a major draw. Lough Scur is a popular year-round venue for match angling, known for good roach catches in its shallow waters during summer months. Generally, the warmer months offer pleasant conditions for exploring and outdoor activities.
Are there any lakes with particularly deep sections?
Garadice Lake has depths largely around 5 meters, with deeper sections reaching up to 20 meters, particularly southwest of Church Island. Drumlaheen Lough also features two basins, with its eastern basin (Greagh Lake) exceeding 18 meters in depth.
Can I find any specimen-sized fish in the Ballinamore lakes?
Yes, the cluster of lakes including Bolganard, Corgar, Drumlonan, and Corduff are known for providing excellent stocks of bream and tench, including specimen-sized fish. Bolganard once held the Irish Specimen Record for Bream at 12 lbs 3 oz, and Corgar Lake is noted for its good head of large tench.
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