Lough Mask is a fabulous natural limestone fishing lake, which holds a vast amount of wild brown trout. Recent surveys carried out by the local Fisheries Board identified seven fish species in Lough Mask; Brown Trout (including Ferox Trout), Char, Perch, Pike, Bream, Roach & Eel. And of course fishing for wild brown trout in Ireland is free, subject to any access restrictions on private land

Although Lough Mask is vast at 20,500 acres (82.96 km²), there are plenty fish to be caught in the bay directly in front of The Fishing Lodge. A boat with oars and petrol outboard engine, berthed at the private jetty, is available for rent separately, which can be used for both fishing and pleasure. However, unless you have first hand experience of using a boat on Lough Mask, you would be well advised to hire the services of a local knowledgable fishing guide. Michael, the owner of The Fishing Lodge provides a guide service, and with more than 20 years of fishing and guiding experience on Lough Mask, he would be delighted to show you the ropes. Fishing tackle can be made available if required

For those guests who intend to fly fish, there are good hatches of Duckfly (a black chironomid) from mid March to early April and later in April the Lake Olives appear and continue into early May. Popular wet-fly patterns at this time are Fiery Brown, Sooty Olive, Sooty Olive Bumble, Black Pennell, Connemara Black, Peter Ross, Watson’s Fancy, Greenwell’s Glory, Mallard and Claret and Cock Robin. The Mayfly dominate the fishing from mid-May to late into June and dapping mayfly and yellow mayfly patterns work well. The Invicta, Teal and Yellow, Golden Olive, Dabblers and Goslings are also useful. There is good night Buzzer fishing, which can provide spectacular fishing when the trout are feeding on Buzzers. Trout fishing slows down in July, when evening dry fly fishing can provide good sport. Fishing picks up again in August and September. The best killing patterns from August onwards are Claret Murrough, Green Peter, Bibio, Watson’s Fancy, Invicta, Daddy, Golden Olive, Peter Ross and Black and Peacock Spider, with dapping daddy longlegs also being productive

If you are interested in taking part in one of Ireland's largest fly fishing competitions, with unbelievable prizes, the World Cup Trout Fly Angling Championship is held each year on Lough Mask at the end of July and beginning of August. This competition is located at Cushlough Bay, just 5 minutes from The Fishing Lodge. Full details can be obtained from Michael