Fishing at Donaghadee Harbour
Fish from beneath the lighthouse and along the railings towards the North Pier for a genuinely varied catch — plenty of summer mackerel plus pollock, coalfish, dab, flounder and conger over the rough ground behind the back wall.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Mackerel | Jun–Sep | Feathers/daylights |
| Pollack (Pollock)Coalfish (Saithe) | Apr–Oct | Spinners or float-fished bait over rough ground behind the back wall |
| Codling (Juvenile Cod) | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished bait |
| Wrasse | Spring–Autumn | Float fished bait |
| Conger Eel | Summer nights | Big mackerel or squid baits |
Tactics
Fish from under the lighthouse and along the railings towards the North Pier; the rough ground over the back wall holds pollock, coalies and codling. Use a 3-hook flapper rig loaded with rag, mackerel, lug, crab or squid for the general mixed bag, or a pulley rig for the roughest ground. Big mackerel or squid baits after dark can tempt conger from around the pier structures.
Best tide: Around high water · Best time: Summer for mackerel and pollock; autumn/winter for codling
Dogs
No verified source. Check current signage and the relevant authority.
Access & parking
Park at the harbour car park in Donaghadee town centre and fish from the pier/harbour walls. Sat-nav: BT21 0HE.Get directions → Family rating: ★☆☆ — A picturesque working harbour with railings and a lighthouse, generally safe for supervised family fishing.
FAQs
What can you catch at Donaghadee Harbour?
A wide mixed bag — pollock, coalfish, codling, mackerel, dogfish, whiting, pouting, dab, flounder, wrasse and conger.
Is Donaghadee Harbour good for beginners?
Yes, it's a sheltered, accessible harbour with railings, well suited to a first sea-fishing trip.
Nearby marks
Groomsport Harbour & Orlock Head · Bangor Pier (Co. Down) · Whitehead Promenade
Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.