The lake
Lough Derravaragh is located about 14 kms north west of Mullingar. Multifarnham village is in close proximity off its southern shore and Castlepollard lies to the North East. Castlepollard is also a recognised angling centre offering facilities for visiting anglers. Should anglers wish to stay on this side of the lake, Castlepollard has plenty to offer.
This is a long narrow Lough nearly 5 miles (8 kms) in length and an area of over 2700 acres (1080 hectares). The Northern part of the lake is wide and shallow with depths graduating from 1.5 meters at the margins to about 6 meters at the centre of the lake. The southern half of the lake narrows into a long deep neck with depths up to 20 meters at its southern most end. A test netting survey was carried out by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in conjunction with the Central fisheries Board on Lough Derravaragh in March 2005. The results showed that the Roach population has collapsed from a high of 3602 individuals recorded in 1986 to a low of 50 in 2005 survey. Bream numbers have shown signs of recovery and Pike numbers remain stable. The trout numbers were also stable in the 2005 survey. The water quality on the lake has also improved.
In recent years the fishery has produced specimen Roach/Bream hybrids. In 2005 11 specimen Roach/Bream hybrids of 30 nationally were verified by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee. It is regarded as a mixed fishery as it also supports brown trout population but is better known for its very good pike fishing with numerous specimen size fish recorded year in year out. The southern part of the lake is best for pike particularly around Clinton's and Donore. While a boat offers a distinct advantage the southern neck of the lake at Crookedwood allows for excellent shore fishing subject to permission by local landowner
Access
Public access is at a number of points around the lake which include Clintons, Collure and Whitehall. At these points anglers have direct access to the lakeshore where a boat can be launched. particularly at Donore accessible through Multifarnham.
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