Accessibility for all

  • Both the Southern Regional Fishery Board and Waterford and District Coarse Angling Club are committed to open access for all at Ballyshunnock.
  • The Access audit for the fishery can be read and downloaded in pdf format by clicking below.
  • This audit forms the basis of a 3 year work programme, in which, all major recommendations of the audit are to be implemented.

    The highlights of this programme include:

    • 30 fully accessible, wheelchair friendly pegs.
    • Level wheelchair friendly paths on all shores.
    • Waterside parking for blue card holders.
    • Stands built to British Disabled Anglers Association standards.
    • Seating and shelter for ambulant disabled.

Stocking

  • Further stocks of Brown Trout were introduced in December 2007.

  • Stocking of coarse fish was carried out in September 2007.

Summer Camps

  • Summer 2007 will see almost 500 young people in training camps at the fishery. These camps are designed to bring the pleasure angling to the young, as well as those of us not so young.
  • Each separate session consisted of training and tuition, followed by practice and finally a short competition for tackle prizes.
    • The prizes combined with the policy of providing all anglers with annual permits are intended to increase the levels of participation in the sport outside of organised events. In past years this has proven to be the case, with young folk fishing most days of the summer.
  • This year the camps will be confined to one shore near the car park, leaving room elsewhere for pleasure anglers to enjoy their day’s fishing. Permit holders are asked to leave this shore clear each Wednesday for the months of June, July and August.


Tramore Chernobyl Children’s Project enjoying their fish’n’BBQ at Ballyshunnock in 2006

Stocking Policy

  • Approximately 10,000 seven inch Brown Trout were stocked on 11/12/2006.
  • Tench and Bream stocks have been introduced to the lake to supplement the Rudd population making coarse angling all the more enjoyable.
  • Further stockings will take place.


One of the many loads of Brown Trout being released in December 2006.

Signage

  • Safety and information signs will shortly be placed around the lake. These will offer information on the species of fish stocked and other wildlife of Ballyshunnock, as well as carrying water safety information.
  • Special thanks to local artist Majella Keating, for volunteering her services to illustrate the wildlife signage.

Fishery Development

  • Earth moving equipment moved on site in the last week of May. All swims near the car park on the North and South shores were deepened and levelled. Three island features were constructed off the North shore.
  • The Water Dept of the County Council will commission pumps in June, for use in bringing water from the River Mahon to Ballyshunnock. This means the lake will fill to winter levels and the level of water should remain stable into the foreseeable future.

WDCAC is open to any and all suggestions to make the fishery an inclusive amenity, not merely accessibility compliant. We welcome contact from any permit holder who can help us to improve facilities.