Fishing in Ireland

Ireland’s clear Atlantic waters, miles of coastline, over 14,000 km of rivers and thousands of lakes mean that this country is beloved of anglers the world over. Whether a seasoned expert, novice, or just open to trying something different – fishing in Ireland might just be one of the highlights of your trip!

Ireland’s waters are uncrowded and amongst the cleanest in Europe both inland or by the coast. The vast variety and quality of fishing experiences on offer here has secured a reputation of which Ireland is justly proud. As an island of approximately 500 km in length by 300 km wide there is a very high ratio of water to land (1:35).

Here, the warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift animate the south and west coasts, bringing a milder climate than our geographical location would indicate. The result is a wonderful mixture of both cold and warm water fish species. In fresh waters of Ireland’s lakes and rivers you can find species of trout, salmon and pike. Warmer water species of tench and roach are also to be found here. Marine species range from the cold water cod and coalfish to Mediterranean-loving bass and the mid-Atlantic blue shark.

Lakes, rivers and coastal areas are mapped, surveyed and maintained throughout the land. Fisheries are managed and stocked. River banks and inland water routes have been developed to ensure prime access for the enthusiastic angler. Salmon and trout fisheries tend to be the property of one individual, club, organisation or the Irish state and permission is usually required to fish except in the case of state owned lakes.

Such lakes include the Lakes of Killarney or the Great Western Loughs. For free fishing information and advice as well as regular angling updates, you can visit the Central Fisheries Board website on www.cfb.ie or email your angling query to info@cfb.ie or phone +353 1 8842600.

Some initiatives supporting Ireland’s water sustainability and fishing stocks include:

The Sustainable Water Network, SWAN, a network of Ireland’s leading environmental organisations working to ensure that new Water Framework Directives and water management plans provide protection for our natural marine resources. See www.swanireland.ie for details.

Streamscapes & Coomhola Salmon Trust. In 1989 Coomhola Salmon Trust was founded by Paul Kearney and Mark Boyden, based at a small research facility on a tributary of the Coomhola River. Between producing native salmon stocking projects for Irish southwest rivers, helping with the efforts to reintroduce salmon to the great River Rhine, and hosting successful freshwater pearl mussel captive breeding research, the StreamScapes Aquatic & Biodiversity Education Project was conceived to assist with wilder efforts to conserve our waters and our wilds. See www.streamscapes.ie for more details.