It has been announced that the 2026 Lough Ree International Pike angling festival, on the full body of the lake, will have its largest field of competitors yet – with an additional prize fund added to make it one of the most lucrative events in Europe this year for pike anglers.
The event, previously known as the Pike Classic, is now rebranded as the ‘King of the Lake International Pike Festival’, after supports from Fáilte Ireland, Roscommon County Council, Longford County Council , Ciaran Mullooly MEP, and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
The festival will open with an official launch in Ballyleague on Friday, September 24th, to be followed by two days of competitive fishing on the entire lake of Lough Ree between the Bypass Bridge in Athlone and the lock at Tarmonbarry in Roscommon as the search for the 2026 ‘King of the Lake’ begins.
The prize fund has also been extended to over €13,000, with new sponsors coming on board, more cash prizes, and the opportunity to win a prestigious International title.
“We are delighted with the huge entry for the competition”, said Philip Gordon of Lough Ree Angling Hub. “This is what pike anglers have been looking for. It’s a vast lake from Athlone town to Tarmonbarry, but hundreds of anglers from all over Ireland and abroad want to come here and compete so from now on, there will be no frontiers.”
The Lough Ree Angling Hub has also paid tribute to Roscommon and Longford county councils and Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly for their additional support for the festival this year.
“We have been supported to promote the festival as one of Ireland’s finest events – and that’s what it is” said Philip.
This year’s festival begins with a launch event on Friday, September 24th, in Ballyleague. Competitors will be able to moor their boats safely and successfully at the Waterways Ireland marina in Ballyleague overnight on Saturday night, September 25th, as there will be a professional security firm in attendance at the venue. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, competitors can launch their boat from either the old harbour slipway in Lanesborough (just south of the duck pond) or from the Waterways Ireland marina in Ballyleague, but each competitor must come to the marina in Ballyleague to collect their pack and measuring board, as well as the very latest edition of the rules.
The entry fee is €200 per boat, with just four rods allowed on each boat. A full copy of the rules and details of registration is available from Laith, the festival officer administrator, at loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com.
To enter, call Joe on 086 8623838 or email Laith at loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com.
Special thanks has been paid this year Frank Casey and the Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club for their support in assisting in the safe running of the festival.
