Belfast Anglers' Association
Belfast Anglers' Association (BAA), established in 1888, is the oldest angling club in Northern Ireland. It was formed to provide quality angling for members, predominantly trout fishing, in several waters.
BAA prides itself on a culture of sportsmanship, care of its waters and the environment, and good relations with fishery owners, statutory agencies, agrarian owners and associated clubs. It provides access to its waters to non-members, who possess the necessary DAERA licence, through the sale of day tickets.
Contact Details
Hon. Secretary: baasec25@gmail.com
Hon. Treasurer: baatres25@gmail.com
Our Waters
BAA manages three waters for its members. These waters are: Creighton's Green, Whinney Hill, Holywood; Upper Holywood, Church Road, Holywood; and Ballydugan Lake, Drumcullan Road, Downpatrick. The Holywood Associated Clubs (HAC) - Highlands Angling Club, Holywood Fly Fishers and Loughview Angling Club - are associated to BAA for angling on the two Holywood waters: Creighton's Green and Upper Holywood.
Creighton's Green, Whinney Hill, Holywood
- Creighton's Green is stocked with rainbow trout and has native brown trout.
- Anglers are encouraged to de-barb hooks to minimise injury to fish that are being returned.
- The bag limit is two fish and fly fishing only is permitted.
- The dam walls are easily fished but great care must be taken when they are wet.
- There are extensive safe wading areas around the lake. Care must be taken on the western corner, marked by a buoy, where wading is unsafe due to deep silt and a deep drain near the shore.
- Birdlife is varied and plentiful, with many species nesting in the margins. Anglers are asked to take care that they do not disturb nests, especially swan sites.
- Boats and flotation devices are prohibited.
Upper Holywood, Church Road, Holywood
- Upper Holywood, also known as Spiers's Lake, holds a fine head of brown trout and fishing is particularly good during buzzer hatches; and in the evening when sedges are on the water.
- Anglers are encouraged to de-barb hooks to minimise injury to fish that are being returned.
- The bag limit is two fish and fly fishing only is permitted.
- All grass banks are safe and fine for wading with the exception of margins adjacent to the overspill which are clearly marked. Fishing is not permitted from the dam wall.
- Birdlife is varied and plentiful, with many species nesting in the margins. Anglers are asked to take care that they do not disturb nests.
- Boats and flotation devices are prohibited.
Ballydugan Lake, Drumcullan Road, Downpatrick
- BAA leases Ballydugan Lake for its members only and this lake is situated beside the Lakeside Inn, between Seaforde and Downpatrick in County Down.
- The lake is a fine coarse fishery but is currently designated as a trout fishery by DAERA. It contains perch, rudd, roach and large numbers of good-sized pike.
- Fly fishing for pike is very successful and both bait and lure fishing are permitted.
- There are large accessible areas for bank fishing but care must be taken to respect agrarian owners' property when accessing the lake.
- All fish caught must be returned to the water and anglers are encouraged to de-barb hooks to minimise injury to the fish.
- Note that the bankside boats are for members' use only.
- Visitors' boats and flotation devices are prohibited.
Creighton's Green, Whinney Hill, Holywood - Map
The reservoir carpark is accessed via a gateway on Whinney Hill, opposite the NI Water facility.
This gate MUST BE CLOSED on ENTRY and EXIT
Upper Holywood, Church Road, Holywood - Map
This lake is accessed by a privately owned, concrete-surfaced lane off Church Road, which leads to a gated entry laneway to the reservoir carpark.
Drivers must adhere to a 5 MPH speed limit and be mindful of children playing and residents' cars joining the lane from adjacent homes.
Drivers must not encroach on the grass verges.
The gate to the reservoir carpark MUST BE CLOSED on ENTRY and EXIT
Ballydugan Lake, Drumcullan Road, Downpatrick - Map
This lake is accessed from the A25 between Downpatrick and Clough, via Drumcullan Road or Lake Road.
Carparking for anglers is kindly made available by the Lakeside Inn.
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