Fishing in
Ireland
Ireland is recognised as being the outstanding angling destination
in Europe. The vast variety and quality of our fishing has
given the country a reputation of which we are justly proud.
Ours is an island of approximately 500 km in length and 300
km wide, with a very high ratio of water to land (1 to 35).
There are virtually thousands of lakes and 14,000 km of fish
bearing rivers. The Gods must have smiled benignly on Ireland
because they obviously bore the needs of sport fishing in mind
when designing our climate. It is temperate and kind to the
angler with moderate summers, mild winters and adequate rainfall
throughout the year. The warm waters of the North Atlantic
Drift lap the south and west coasts, giving us a milder climate
than our geographical location would indicate. The result is
a fabulous mixture of cold and warm water fish species, capable
of exciting the specialist or casual angler on the annual family
holiday.
In fresh water, they range from Carp, more attuned to warm
waters, to the Atlantic Salmon and the Char, which are really
north Atlantic and Arctic species. The marine species range
from the cold water Cod and Coalfish to the Mediterranean loving
Bass and the mid Atlantic Blue Shark.
Many Irish people enjoy fishing but we are happy to share
our “riches” with our fellow anglers from all over the world.
Few of us, however, fish for “coarse” fish (freshwater species
other than the salmon and trout family) which means that our
magnificent pike, bream, tench, roach, rudd and eel fisheries
are largely left to the tourist, as is much of the sea angling,
particularly along the south and west coasts.
Lakes, rivers and coastal stretches are surveyed and mapped,
fisheries are managed and stocked, while banks and access routes
to the waters edge are developed to ensure the visitor gets
directly and easily to the hotspots.
Most of the angling is organised around recognised angling
centres which specialise in catering for the angling tourist.
Salmon and trout fisheries are usually the property of an individual,
club, organisation or the state and permission to fish is generally
required except in the case of the state owned lakes, such
as the Great Western Loughs and the Lakes of Killarney.
Some waters have seldom, if ever seen a rod and line but exploration
is always an enjoyable part of an angling holiday, so do not
be afraid to “have a go”, it might well result in the fish
of a lifetime.
LICENCES :
A State Licence is required for salmon and sea trout fishing.
No licence is required for brown trout or rainbow trout.
A range of licences are available, depending on duration,
the age of the angler and the area the angler wishes to fish.
The country is divided into fishery districts.
Adult, all districts, full season €32.00
Juvenile, all districts, full season €10.00
District, full season €15.00.
21 days, tourist €13.00.
One day, tourist €4.00.
PERMITS AND DAY TICKETS
Most salmon and some sea trout and brown trout fisheries are
privately owned and managed and a permit is necessary. Salmon
fishing permits cost from €13.00 to €130.00. €40.00 is about
average. The average on trout fisheries is €7.00 per day for
club or association water and for fisheries managed by the
Fisheries Boards. Some of the very best brown trout fishing
is on public fisheries and is free contact us for more informatition.
SHARE CERTIFICATES:
No Licence required. Please contact the Northern Regional
Fisheries or the Shannon Regional Fisheries board about the
possible requirement of s share certificate in waters in their
areas. The ESB run two coarse fisheries at Blessington Lake
in Co.Wicklow and Inniscarra Lake in Co. Cork. A season, weekly
or day permit is required.
COARSE FISHING IN IRELAND:
SPECIES: Bream, Rudd, Hybrids, Tench, Dace, Eels, Perch, Carp.
OPEN SEASON: All year round.
CHARGES: No licence required.
SHARE Please contact the Northern Regional Fisheries or the
Shannon Regional
CERTIFICATES:
Fisheries Board about the possible requirement of a share
certificate in waters in their areas. The E.S.B. run two coarse
fisheries at Blessington Lake in Co. Wicklow and Inniscarra
Lake in Co. Cork. A season, weekly or day permit is required.
Ireland is an island of 84,421 km2 with coastal highlands
of granite and sandstone encircling a central plain of limestone
which stretches from its northern boundary, the River Erne,
through the Midlands and down to the Munster Blackwater valley.
In this area are located principal coarse fisheries, and the
freshwater species which come into the category are pike, perch,
bream, rudd, tench, dace and, of course, various hybrids.
GAME ANGLING:
Ireland`s game fish species, salmon brown trout and sea trout
are the most widespread of the islland`s freshwater fish. They
also form part of the lost of indigenous native fish. The others
are eel and gudgeon. Everything else—pike, roach, carp, bream
etc., were introduced down the centuries, mainly brought back
by the wandering Irish who travelled widely on the continent.
Some others were introduced by anglers who considered we should
have a wider variety of species.
The eco-system to which salmon and trout belong is fragile
and can be easily damaged. Yet these two species are amazingly
tenacious and resilient. Natural disasters occur from time
to time and man has probably been their greatest enemy, yet
the truly wild stocks have managed to survive for thousands
of years right to our own time. It is for this reason that
Ireland is regarded as the outstanding game angling destination
in Europe. The country has a reputation of which it is justly
proud for providing a great variety of quality fishing.
Salmon enter almost every river that allows them to navigate
upstream. The bigger river and lough systems usually produce
the biggest number of fish but even small systems can be amazingly
productive. We are fortunate in having many clean, unspoiled
river systems. Where problems have arisen, it is in man`s power
to put the situation right and there have been spectacular
examples of the successful rehabilitation of stocks in recent
times.
Grilse, or one sea winter fish, are widespread and readily
available throughout the coubntry in the summer months and
early autumn. They are usually average 4—5 lbs. (1.5 - 2 kilos)The bigger salmon or multi-sea winter fish are less widely
available. They run the rivers from January to May but in fewer
numbers. Some river systems still get good runs and it is to
these that the early season anglers head for the first of the
seasons sport.The best way to ascertain the quality of the fishing is to
inspect the relevant catch data kept by individual fisheries.
Most salmon fisheries keep records of numbers of fish caught
and will make these figures available to prospective visitors.
Brown trout are the most widespread species of game fish in
the country. They are to be found in varying numbers and sizes
in virtually every river and stream and in a lot of loughs
too. The average size varies according to the productivity
of the water in which they live and stock density is generally
related to a number of factors relating to their habitat. The
average length of a wild brown trout from a limestone river
is somewhere around 11 inches or 29 cm., in many of our rivers.
Similarly, for loughs, the size range is great. An acid mountain
lough may hold thousands of trout of no more than 6 inches
or 15 cm., but the richer loughs where the most of the angling
is done will have trout averaging 13 inches or 23 cm., and
there is a very good chance of a 16 inch or 41 cm., trout in
a days fishing. Some of the loughs produce much bigger trout
to the fly and then there are those that hold a population
of “Ferox” trout that can reach over 20lbs., or 9 kilos.
Trout are of the same genetic stock as brown trout. The west
and south west coast of Ireland have traditionally been the
favourite haunts visiting sea trout anglers. Sea trout can
still be found there is varying numbers. A severe collapse
of stocks occurred in certain rivers about 1989. However, there
is still good fishing to be had on fisheries such as Glen Lough
in Co. Donegal, The River Moy Estuary at Ballina, Co. Mayo,
Carrowmore Lough, Co. Mayo and Lough Currane, Co. Kerry.
The majority of sea trout are known as “finnock2 and measure
about 11 inches or 28 cm., and the bigger multi-sea-winter
trout average 15 inches or 28 cm.
TROUT.The following run-down on the aquatic and terrestrial
insects which dictate the Irish brown trout angler's season
may prove helpful. Any good angler's entomology text will list
the artificials which simulate these naturals and will offer
a variety of tyings and patterns. Irish tackle shops carry
a wide selection of these patterns and their owners and/or
fishing guides and ghillies can advise in detail. Further details
below.
Salmon and Sea Trout: A few fisheries open on January 1st
each year. The rest open at various dates up to 20th March.
All salmon fisheries will close on 30th September, although
some close on different dates between 31st August and 12th
October. The majority of sea trout fisheries close on 30th
September but each region varies. Brown Trout: All fisheries
open between 15th February and 1st March. Most will close 30th
September although some may close on various dates between
15th September and 12th October. Rainbow Trout: Only available
on managed lough fisheries. All are open in summer but times
and dates vary considerably.WEXFORD The River Slaney is seventy
three miles long rising in the Wicklow Mountains and it is
one of the few Irish rivers with a run of spring salmon, some
in excess of twenty pounds. Fishing for spring salmon commences
tenth of March to August thirty first. Best period for salmon
is from opening day to thirty first of May. Sea trout arrive
about mid june, best period for sea trout fishing from end
of June to the thirty first of July. A state licence is required
for salmon and sea trout. Daily andweekly permits available
on private and club waters.
OPEN SEASONS:
Salmon and Sea Trout: A few fisheries open on January 1st
each year. The rest open at various dates up to 20th March.
All salmon fisheries close on 30th September, with some exceptions
which close on various dates between 31st August and 12th October.
Most sea trout fisheries close on September 30th, but there
are a few regional variations.
Brown Trout: All brown trout fisheries open on dates between
15th February and 1st March. Most close on September 30th with
a few exceptions which close on various dates between September
15th and October 12th.
Rainbow Trout: Rainbow trout are only available opn managed
lough fisheries. All are open during the summer, but opening
and closing dates vary considerably.
Boat
Hire and Guides:
Boats can be hired on many loughs. The charge
per day varies from IR.£10—£20. A boat and
outboard motor can be hired for about IR.£20.00. The
charge for a boat and boatman on a lough or a gillie or guide
on a river starts at about IR.£45.00 per day.
FISHING TACKLE:
Fishing tackle is very much a matter of personal choice. Some
fishery operators and tackle shops hire tackle but the practice
is not widespread. Similaarly, gillies or guides may have tackle
for hire but it is best to check in advance. For salmon fly
fishing, double handed rods (13` - 16`) are the norm but single
handed rods (91/2`- 12`) are suitable for much of the summer
fishing. Spinning is allowed on many fisheries (but not all).
It may be confined to certain conditions and certain times.
Some fisheries are strictly “fly only” and some trout fisheries
practice “catch and release”. Chest waders are essential for
much of the spring and summer salmon fishing and for river
trout fishing. Only occasionally are hip waders adequate. Most
anglers have their own preferences for rods and lines for river
trouting. An 81/2`or 9`rod is usually adequate. Fishing from
a boat “lough style” for either brown trout, sea trout or salmon
requires a rod or not less than 91/2`. Dapping requires rods
of at least 14`of monofilament and dapping floss.Contact us
if you require more information.
SEA ANGLING:
The island of Ireland is situated on the extreme western edge
of the European Continental Shelf and the 3,000 mile (4,830
km.) coastline is probably more varied than that found in any
other European country.It ranges from the steep-to-shingle beaches of the east through
the natural harbours, lazy backwaters and quiet estuaries of
the south to the awe inspiring cliff faces and roaring storm
beaches of the west.Washed by the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift
(an offshoot of the Gulf Stream), this multi faceted shoreline
encourages an almost unique diversity of marine life. In fact,
virtually every fish species known to exist in European waters
have been recorded at one time or another.
Boat and shore angling tackle, baits and techniques are similar
to those employed throughout the rest of Europe, but the chances
of an angler tangling with an unusual or rare fish are much
greater, so the visitor must come prepared for everything from
a pouting to a porbeagle!A fine fleet of purpose built, speedy angling charter boats
is available right around the cost at numerous well organised
centres.Many boat skippers are
members of charter boat associations such as I.S.A.A.C. (Irish
Sea Angling Accommodation & Charters),
or the Kerry Association of Deep Sea Angling Charter Boat Operators.
The majority of members`craft conform to demanding construction
and safety specifications.Much of Ireland`s sea angling reputation is based on charter
boat fishing results. Increasingly however, small boat fishing
and shore angling are attracting a growing number of visitors.
Shore match fishing is also on the increase and although in
the past somewhat restricted to the eastern seaboard, it is
now spreading to the south and west coasts.
On the east coast, fishing is available for much of the year
and although the water of the Irish Sea is lower in salinity
than the waters of the other coasts, a wide range of species
with a highj tolerance for this environment is available to
both boat and shore enthusiasts. Most of the fish are present
with plaice, dabs and flounder common. Mullet are to be found
in most harbours in summer and codling are widespread in the
winter months. Bass, ray, dogfish, whiting, smooth hound and
tope are also widely distributed.All south coast venues offer high calibre shark fishing between
June and October, while the general reef and ground fishing
are also of exceptional quality. Wreck fishing has also become
extremely popular due to the large numbers of specimen fish
which are produced annually.Species available to boat anglers on the south coast include
codling, pollack, coalfish, conger, ray, turbot, skate and
dogfish, while shore anglers will find bass, ray, flounder,
sole, conger, wrasse and dogfish from a wide range of estuaries,
beaches, piers and rocks.
The clean, clear water and diverse nature of the west coast
offers boat and shore anglers a wide range of venues and species.
Blue Shark fishing has become extremely popular in deep water
as has shallow water fishing for tope, skate, ray and monkfish.
This is the area where unusual species can be expected and
in recent years, anglers have taken trigger fish, red mullet,
red bream, sunfish and amberjack, to name but a few.Much of the shore angling reputation of the west coast was
built on the almost legendary surf fishing for bass in Co.Kerry.
Even though this species has declined locally, there is much
more on offer including superb rock fishing for wrasse, pollakck,
conger and beach angling for ray, flatfish and dogfish.Bait is obtainable from the majority of good tackle shops
but crab, lugworm, ragworm, sandeel and mussel are freely available
and can be collected adjacent to most angling centres. Mackerel
can be taken from both boat and shore in summer while squid
is now available at the majority of fishmongers. Some of the
more successful artificial lures are Hoi Koi feathers, German
spratt, redgills and flatfish spoons. Most tackle shops carry
a supply of these. Whatever your sea angling interest, you
can be sure that Ireland can cater for all your demands.
CONSERVE THE GOOD ANGLING:
In Ireland, as elsewhere on this planet, conservation is necessary
to ensure the variety of fish in our waters. Anglers are asked
to keep this in mind while still making the most of the good
sport on offer. In sea angling, most cartilaginous sport fishes
are tagged and returned alive by charter skippers. Boat and
shore competitions organised under the aegis of the I.F.S.A.,
are also fished on a coservation basis.See our competitions
list .
TACKLE HIRE:
The majority of sea angling boats carry rods, reels and terminal
tackle which can be hired for a small fee. For shore fishing,
tackle can be hired from a limited number of tackle shops nationwide.
CHARTER BOAT CERTIFICATION:
The processing of certification for sea angling vessels is
on going at this time.Any vessel, required to carry official certification should
have a copy of this documentation prominently displayed on
board. It is strongly advised that would be anglers should
confirm the certification status of all sea angling vessels
before confirming booking or putting to sea.
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