Fishing at Whitehead Promenade

Rock markCo. Antrim🐾 Dogs allowed — with rules★★☆ family

A promenade mark on Belfast Lough's northern shore — dogfish, rockling and flatfish at high tide, with cod and whiting adding interest through winter.

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What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Dogfish (Lesser-Spotted)	All year	Fish bait fished on a running ledger at high tide
Flounder	All year	Worm bait close in
Coalfish (Saithe)	All year	Mackerel bait with float or running ledger rigs
Cod (Atlantic Cod)	Oct–Feb	Fish or worm bait fished hard on the bottom

Tactics

Fish from the promenade at high tide for the best results — dogfish, rockling, flounder and dabs are the year-round staples, with cod and whiting adding interest in winter. Mackerel bait fished with float tackle or a running ledger takes coalfish, pollack and shore rockling well. Pollock and wrasse are easily caught with spinning, lure and float tactics along this stretch of coast generally.

Best tide: High tide · Best time: Winter for cod and whiting; year-round for dogfish and flatfish

Dogs

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's live Dog Control Orders page does not currently name Whitehead Promenade or Blackhead Path among its year-round lead-required locations (only Larne Promenade, Carrickfergus Promenade/Harbour/Marina, and People's Park Ballymena are listed). A 2022 council consultation proposed adding Whitehead, Blackhead Path and marinas to that list, but it's unclear from the current live order whether that proposal was ever adopted — treat the lead requirement here as likely but unconfirmed rather than settled.

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Access & parking

Whitehead car park. Sat-nav: BT38 9LH.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — An easy, level promenade walk, good for a relaxed family session, though it's exposed to Belfast Lough's weather with little shelter.

FAQs

Is Whitehead Promenade dog friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead (max 1.8m) year-round under Mid and East Antrim Council's dog control order.

Best time to fish Whitehead Promenade?

High tide, and winter for the best chance of cod and whiting.

What bait works at Whitehead?

Mackerel bait with float or running ledger rigs takes coalfish and pollock well.

Nearby marks

Bangor Pier (Co. Down)

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.