we're off to visit Mrs Koi's family in Ballycastle in couple of weeks, this time I'm determined to a wet a line. Can't quite understand the licensing requirements, can someone clarify what I'll need?

Fishing Licences

This should clarify things for you. We're very close to Ballycastle, so if you require any further help, please ask.

I used to live in NI..and never once bought a rod licence let alone a permit, moreover, you need an additional SPECIAL permit to fish waters of one of the Main rivers of the country, the river Bann.
My fishing was done on private fisheries where i bought a ticket to fish the water for the day, usually 20 quid for 3 fish then C and R after. Maybe thats why i was never hassled for it. But seriously, its just ridiculous to think you need to have a licence for each fishing rod and then a permit to fish the water.

You might wanna check it out, but if you don't need licence for private waters, there are plenty of those kinds of fisheries within driving distance of Ballycastle.

Shoot me a PM and i'll point you in the right direction if you're interested.

Cheers, so on a private water I only need the DCAL licence, I'll only really need the 3 day one so no great expense.

I've never been checked for my rod licence in over 20 years but it can't last forever and sods law says it'll be on holiday! Anyway, I'm quite happy to put a few quid in the pot.

Don't know how far I'll venture, there's a small fishery just up the road from Ballycastle, I've passed it many times in the past and never seen anyone fishing it so not a clue what it's like.

Sorry to disabuse you of the idea that you don't need a rod license for private fisheries in NI, but in fact you do.

Several members of our (private) club were of a similar opinion that it was not required on our (private) lake, despite me as Secretary advising everyone in our Annual Newsletter that it was a legal requirement. Those same members were rather taken aback when the Fisheries Conservancy Board bailiffs appeared in the club car park on the morning of opening day some years ago and took a few names and addresses with a view to prosecution.

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Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once - Lee Wulff