Gweebarra Bay

Saltwater
Bay

Gweebarra Bay

Saltwater
Bay

Sq. miles: 13
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 10

Gweebarra Bay is a vast and productive estuary system on the northwest coast of County Donegal, formed by the confluence of the Gweebarra River with the Atlantic Ocean. This bay is renowned for offering some of the finest inshore boat fishing in the region, featuring a mix of deep channels, expansive mudflats, and rocky headlands. The fishery encompasses both the estuarine waters of the bay itself and the lower river reaches, creating a dynamic environment where freshwater and saltwater species intermingle. The landscape is rugged and exceptionally beautiful, with the bay bordered by golden beaches and high ground like Crohy Head.

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Gweebarra Bay and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

Ballan Wrasse

Labrus bergylta

Corkwing Wrasse

Symphodus melops

European Plaice

Pleuronectes platessa

Lesser Spotted Dogfish

Scyliorhinus canicula

Pollack

Pollachius pollachius

Sea Trout

Salmo trutta

Spotted Ray

Raja montagui

Tope

Galeorhinus galeus

Turbot

Scophthalmus maximus

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Gweebarra Bay. 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.

Within the estuary, Illanfad is a favored station for sea trout, eels, and flounder. The channel banks along the Gweebarra River estuary are productive spots for spinning for sea trout. At the northern end of Maghery Strand, the large rocky promontory called Termon is excellent for spinning for mackerel and pollack, float fishing for wrasse, and casting over sand for flounder and dabs. Dooey Point, at the entrance to Trawenagh Bay, is good for mackerel and sea trout on a flooding tide. The main basin of Gweebarra Bay holds prime ground for boat anglers targeting a mixed bag. The area west of Portnoo harbour, featuring a large basalt rock with sandy approaches in 7 meters of water, is a noted spot for dogfish, plaice, dabs, flounder, turbot, and ray.

Know where you can legally fish on Gweebarra Bay

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.

Co. Donegal licenses and regulations

No licenses or regulations available for Co. Donegal.

Take Gweebarra Bay with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

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Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Gweebarra Bay to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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