Upper Lough Erne Predator Challenge

Rules for Boat Fishing – Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April 2026

• The registration deadline is 4th April 2026.
• Registration occurs at the Share Centre (221 Lisnaskea Rd, BT92 0JZ) each morning from 07:30 to 09:00.
• A briefing will take place daily at 9.15 at the Share Centre.
• The competition starts from the Share Centre activity centre Slipway.
• Prize-giving ceremony will be held at 18:00 on Sunday.
• Fishing hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (6 hours).
• Entry fee: £45 per person per day.
• Maximum 2 anglers, fishing 2 rods each, per boat. 
• Boat pairings Anglers must fish in pairs and must remain the same throughout the event.
• Entry is online only; the deadline is 4th April 2026.
• Boats must be equipped with all necessary safety gear and checked by a steward.
• No boat movement before the official start signal.
• Each boat must display its assigned number clearly on the bow.
• Life jackets are mandatory at all times.
• Allowed fishing methods: Lure fishing, fly fishing, and dead-baiting.
• Prohibited equipment: live imaging sonar.
• Boats may anchor in open water if they do not obstruct others - not within 40m of another boat,
• This is a measure competition: All fish to be measured, Photographed and returned to the water immediately.
• Fish handling rules:
• • A large knotless landing net (minimum 24” diameter) is required.
  • Fish must be placed on an unhooking mat.
  • No mutilated, dead, or lethargic fish will be accepted.
  • Fish are to be photographed at the earliest opportunity.
  • After measuring and photographing, fish must be returned unharmed to the water.
• Fishing closes at 16:30. Photographs of Fish submitted after this time will not be accepted.
• Anglers must play and land their own fish.
• Leaving the boat is only allowed at designated launch/weigh stations.
• No excessive fish handling before release.
• All necessary licenses/permits are required – non-compliance leads to disqualification.
• Respect private property and other water users.
• Members of the Upper Lough Erne Fishing Club may fish in the event.
• Disputes must be lodged by 17:00 on the competition day.
• All participants agree to having their photos taken for promotional purposes.
• Breaking any rule results in disqualification. The committee's decision is final.
• Only artificial lures are acceptable
• Hooks on lures must not be baited in any way
• Ground baiting is prohibited
• Hooks on lures must not be baited in any way
• Fish played after the ending signal sounds don’t count- even if it’s hooked before signal.
• In the event of adverse weather conditions the competition must be cancelled.

Measure-Photo-Release – recording the catch

• The organiser will allocate each team with a measure board, board number and team marker to be returned at the close of the competition.
• You may decide when and how many fish to photograph throughout the day but those to be considered in competition must also be recorded on the score sheet with length in cm.
• The fish should be photographed on the measuring board laid flat in the boat
• The fish should only be held on the measure board by hand
• The fish should be photographed from the left side, showing its full length from the top of the lip to end of the tail with its lip resting against the top of the measure board.
• The allocated board number and team marker must be clearly shown in the photograph
• The measure boards, numbers and markers should be returned promptly at the end of the competition, to the organisers along with your corresponding score sheet before the designated time or they will not be counted.
• Video footage is not accepted for fish measurement
• Photos of dead or blood stained fish will not be accepted
• Photos must be sent through to the WhatsApp group immediately or the fish will not be counted

PRIZE LIST:

1st Place - £1600
2nd Place - £1000
3rd Place - £700
4th Place - £500
5th Place - £450
6th Place - £400
7th Place - £375
8th Place - £350
9th Place - £300
10th Place - £275
11th Place - £250
12th Place - £225
13th Place - £200
14th Place - £175
15th Place - £160
16th Place - £125
17th Place - £100
18th Place - £75
19th Place - £50
20th Place - £40

Additionally, a trophy will be awarded for the best 3 fish caught.

Prize fund based on 86 persons taking part per day and is dependant on the number of entries.