Loug Derg (derived from the Irish, Loch Deirgeirt, meaning "loch of the red eye") is a rare gem amongst Ireland's inland waterways. One of several lakes along the course of the Shannon River, its banks adjoin the counties of Clare, Galway and North Tipperary. The lake covers an area of 118 square kilometres, has an average depth of 7.6 metres (36 metres at its deepest) and its shores encompass several towns and villages, such as Ballina, Gary Kennedy and Killaloe. Lough Derg's large size means that it offers a wide range of aspects and conditions for leisure boating, sailing and fishing. A long history exists in which the lake was vital to the shipping of goods between Limerick and Dublin, particularly in the 18th century. Today, it has become a fisherman's paradise, remaining fully navigable over its 40 kilometre length.

  The Lough Derg Anglers Association was formed in 1958. It's continuing mandate has been to improve and maintain Lough Derg as a game and course angling water for local and visiting anglers. in conjunction with the ESB and Bord Failte, we proactively seek to extend our knowledge base of inland waterway management, whilst also policing pollution sources and unauthorised lakeshore developments.

  Lough Derg is currently the centre for a number of national and international initiatives, focussing on environmental study and transnational cooperation. Anglers, non-government organisations, universities in Ireland and Canada and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, have all joined forces to try and identify and understand more clearly the native fish biodiversity of Lough Derg. This project is called the Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project and represents a long-term investigation that seeks to highlight numerous aspects of limnology. North Tipperary Leader Partnership (NTLP) has initiated an inter-territorial project which involves the other two integrated rural development companies around the lake, Clare Local Development Company and Galway Rural Development. This transnational cooperation project which involves a LEADER group from Sweden and one from Scotland. Fishing for Tourists aims to add value to the natural river and lake resources in the three partner areas.