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The Kells Anglers Association was established in 1893 and own the fishing rights of circa 14 miles of the Blackwater River from its source at Lough Ramor to Kells. A medium size river it has some of the premier Wild Brown Trout fishing in Ireland. It has a wonderful stock of trout from ½lb to 1½lb, with trout caught each year between 2–5lb. In 2004 a record trout of 10lb was caught on dryfly.

From 1st March to 30th September trout can be caught on Wetfly, Dryfly, Nymph and Streamer. Each year, the Association hold a number of Junior competitions and fly fishing lessons. Parents are welcome to help with the barbecue while the children are supervised catching a number of fish species, including, Trout, Perch, Roach and Bream.

The river has a good run of Atlantic Salmon. The association has developed a number of spawning streams for both trout and salmon, which has dramatically increased the number of rod caught salmon. The Borora, a tributary of the Blackwater, holds a huge stock of small and medium size trout. It has an abundance of fly life associated with limestone rivers.

We are also blessed with more than 100 lakes within 1 hour from Kells. All hold excellent stocks of coarse fish, including Perch, Roach, Rudd, Tench, Bream and Pike to 20 and 30lb+. Some lakes are trout fisheries and are controlled by angling clubs and hold trout from 1lb to 5lb with some reaching double figures.

All in all, the Kells Blackwater and the surrounding area is a true mecca for fishing, from the complete beginner to the expert angler.