Crossword Genius

Describes a spirit at Halloween in Lough Mask taking head off trout (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ghoulish

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'describes a spirit at halloween' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'lough mask taking head off trout' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'lough' is 'ghoul' which is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ish' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ghoulish that I've seen before include "Macabre" , "Morbid, horrible" , "Morbidly interested in death or disaster" , "Gruesome" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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