Top 5 Lakes around Tyrone

For a wide range of water sports, Lough Neagh is the premier destination. You can enjoy paddleboarding, wind-surfing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, water-skiing, and wakeboarding, with many activities centered around Ballyronan Marina. It's the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, offering vast opportunities for aquatic recreation.

Lough Neagh is renowned for fishing, particularly for pollan, perch, dollaghan trout, and eel, hosting Europe's biggest eel fishery. Ballysaggart Lough (Black Lough) also offers good fishing for pike, perch, and rudd, with deeper spots near the northern sluice. Additionally, Lough Fea is popular for angling, known for rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike, though a day permit and rod license are required.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly walking options. Gortin Lakes in Gortin Glen Forest Park have refurbished marked trails, including a 1km figure-of-eight circuit, suitable for families. Lough Fea features a 4.15km circular walkway that is accessible for all ages and abilities, complete with a children's play area and picnic spots. Loughmacrory Lough also has a gravel path along its shoreline that is wheelchair and buggy accessible.

Ballysaggart Lough (Black Lough) in Dungannon is known for its serene atmosphere, with well-maintained paths through mature woodlands, ideal for peaceful walks and birdwatching, boasting over 100 bird species. Loughmacrory Lough also offers tranquil walks and excellent birdwatching opportunities, with sightings of kingfishers, swans, wild geese, and wild ducks.

The Sperrin Mountains are home to several scenic lakes. These include Gortin Lakes, located within Gortin Glen Forest Park, and Oak Lough, both offering stunning views and walking opportunities amidst wild, heather-filled landscapes. Lough Fea is also situated north of Cookstown within the Sperrins AONB.

Derrycloony Lough, east of Augher, is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) due to its rich aquatic flora, including white and yellow water-lilies, and diverse fen vegetation supporting a rare beetle species. Lough Neagh, as the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, encompasses diverse wetland habitats that support a variety of rare plant and animal species.

Yes, the area around Gortin Lakes in Gortin Glen Forest Park is part of a Dark Sky region, offering excellent opportunities for stargazing due to its minimal light pollution and clear night skies.

Lough Fea provides a 4.15km circular walkway, accessible for all ages and abilities, and is dog-friendly (on lead). It features clear waters, forested shores, family-friendly facilities including a children's play area, and picnic spots. It also serves as a vital water reservoir.

Yes, Lough Fea offers a 4.15km circular walkway that is accessible for all ages and abilities. Similarly, Loughmacrory Lough has a gravel path along its shoreline that is wheelchair and buggy accessible via kissing gates, complete with picnic tables, fishing stands, and toilet facilities.

Beyond the lakes themselves, the region offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, such as the 'Lake Peachtree – Creek in the Woods loop' or 'Lake Kedron to Lake Peachtree Dam via North Peachtree Pathway loop', which are detailed in the Cycling around Tyrone and Road Cycling Routes around Tyrone guides. For runners, there are trails like the 'Lake Peachtree – Peachtree Multi-Use Paths loop' available in the Running Trails around Tyrone guide.

While the lakes can be enjoyed year-round, autumn is particularly recommended for nature appreciation around Lough Fea due to the changing foliage. Spring and summer offer ideal conditions for water sports on Lough Neagh and comfortable walking on trails around all the lakes.

Yes, for fishing in lakes like Lough Fea, a day permit and a rod license are required. It's always advisable to check local regulations for specific lakes before planning a fishing trip.