Shimna River
Shimna River
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 1
The Shimna River is a classic Mourne mountain stream flowing for just over 11 kilometers from the slopes of Ott Mountain in the Mourne Mountains to Dundrum Bay at Newcastle, County Down. It is a designated Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), recognized for its unique acidic and nutrient-poor waters that support rare mosses and liverworts. As a premier game fishery, it is principally managed by the Shimna Angling Club for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The river has a history of periodic flooding and pollution events that have impacted fish stocks, but it remains a valued destination for anglers targeting wild brown trout, salmon, and sea trout within its scenic course through Tollymore Forest Park and onward to the sea.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Shimna River and what's needed to catch them.
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Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Shimna River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Shimna River
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Northern Ireland licenses and regulations
Northern Ireland Boating Regulations
Official NI guidance on using waterways, rivers and loughs for boating, canoeing and other craft (e.g. Lough Erne and the Lower Bann canoe trails). Navigation on the cross-border system is managed by Waterways Ireland.
Northern Ireland Fishing License
To fish freshwater in Northern Ireland you need both a rod licence and a permit/day ticket. Licences and permits are issued by DAERA (most of NI) and the Loughs Agency (Foyle and Carlingford catchments); a small endorsement lets a full-season game licence holder fish both areas.
Northern Ireland Fishing Regulations
Official DAERA/nidirect angling regulations for Northern Ireland - licence and permit rules, seasons, methods, and catch limits. Separate rules apply in Loughs Agency waters (Foyle and Carlingford).
Northern Ireland Stream Access Laws
Closest official page on public access to land and water in Northern Ireland, which has limited access rights (no general right to roam). There is no public right to fish - you must hold the required rod licence and a permit/day ticket for the specific fishery.
Take Shimna River with you
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Use the map without signal
Download the map around Shimna River to use it offline when coverage drops.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
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