Nature has endowed the river with many treasures. Everywhere there is first class fishing . Salmon may be caught in Lough Derg, while all along the river, trout, pike, bream, roach, rudd and tench abound. Bird life is abundant with over one hundred and twenty native or visiting species. Swans, teal, mallard, waterhens, curlews and snipe are just a few of the varieties, to be seen, while the callows immediately south of Athlone are one of the last remaining habitats of the corncracke in Western Europe.
Plant life is prolific with scores of aquatic and riparian plants.
The range of animal life is endless, deer, squirrels, badger, weasels, mink, bats, pine martin, hedgehogs, and on and on and on. Pollution is almost non existent and it is possible to drink the water on Lough Ree. Apart from one or two turf stations there is little or no heavy industry along its banks. The towns and villages along the way are well provided with shops, hostelries, and restaurants. Each has its own harbour, where visitors can safely moor for the night while sampling the delights ashore, especially the nightly music sessions and the creamy pints of Guinness Ireland's national drink.