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Irish Fishing Regulations
Do I need a licence to fish in Ireland?
In Ireland you do not need a licence to fish for trout, coarse species or in the sea. However, if you intend to fish for salmon or seatrout you must have a State Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing Licence.
State Salmon and Sea Trout Licences are available as a National licence or a District Licence. A National Licence covers all Fishery Board Districts while a District Licence covers only the Fishery District in which the licence is purchased. A list of fishing tackle shops where licences may be bought is available on this site. Alternatively you can buy a licence online. It should be noted that a licence does not confer the right to fish for salmon or sea trout and that permission or permits are required to fish most waters.
Anglers in the Shannon Region must have a Shannon Board Permit (ticket charge) to fish for trout, pike or coarse fish in the Midland Fisheries Group of controlled waters. This area comprises the following river catchments; RIVER SUCK, RIVER INNY, RIVER BROSNA, LITTLE BROSNA RIVER and CAMLIN RIVER. This permit can be bought online. This permit is not required to fish the main River Shannon or other fisheries whose fishing rights are NOT under the control of the Shannon Board.
GENERAL FRESHWATER
- The only legal method to catch freshwater fish is by rod and line (Control of Fishing for Coarse Fish in Fresh Water Bye-law No. 595, 1977.).
- A person may fish with not more than two rods at any time (Control of Fishing for Coarse Fish in Fresh Water Bye-law No. 595, 1977.).
- It is illegal to have or to use live fish as bait (Use of Live Fish as Bait in Fresh Water Bye-law No. 592, 1977).
- It is illegal to transfer live roach from one water to any other waters (Transfer of Live Roach, Bye-Law No. 561, 1973).
Foul Hooking
This bye-law prohibits the killing and possession of foul hooked fish (i.e fish not hooked in the mouth) in any fishery district in any year.
SALMON and SEA TROUT
A State Licence is required to fish for salmon and sea trout, but does not entitle you to fish. Permits or permission from fisheries owners must be obtained.
General salmon angling regulations
- A State Licence is required to fish for salmon and sea trout
- All salmon (and sea trout over 40cm) kept must be tagged, and the logbook filled out accordingly.
- It is prohibited to keep or kill any sea trout in Connemara or the Ballinakill district.
- It is prohibited sell rod caught salmon or sea trout over 40cm between January 1st and October 31st
Bag Limits
The existing annual bag limit of 10 fish being either salmon or sea trout (over 40 cm) per angler for the 2008 season continues in rivers above their Conservation Limits. This Bye-Law provides for
- a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May,
- a daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August
- and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- The Bye-law also provides for the use of single hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods
Open Rivers, Closed Rivers, Catch and Release Rivers, Tagging Scheme, more information
Please follow this link for Salmon Angling Regulations 2010.
Coarse Fish
CONSERVATION OF AND PROHIBITION ON SALE OF COARSE FISH BYE-LAW NO. 806, 2006 provides for the following conservation measures:
- a bag limit of 4 coarse fish in any one day,
- prohibits the killing of any coarse fish greater than 25 cm in length,
- prohibits the sale of any coarse fish in Ireland (excluding NI), this provision will not apply to fishing tackle dealers and fish bait suppliers who have been granted an exemption from their respective Regional Fisheries Board
LOUGH RAMOR CONSERVATION OF COARSE FISH (CATCH AND RELEASE) BYE-LAW NO. 862, 2009: This Bye-law provides for catch and release in respect of coarse fish in the harbour area of Lough Ramor. The Byelaw also prohibits the possession of any coarse fish or keep net in, or on the banks of, the harbour area and provides for the use of single barbless hooks only in angling for coarse fish.
Importation of Bait
- To minimise the risk of accidental transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease and other infectious diseases, visitors are advised to use local sources in Ireland.
- If you must bring worms or maggots ensure they are not packed in soil or vegetable material, the importation of which is strictly prohibited by law.
Eels
Eel fishing is closed until 2012. The prospect of re-opening the eel fishery will be considered at that time, following a review of the data collated as a result of scientific sampling provided for in the draft plan.
- Bye-law No C.S. 303, 2009 prohibits fishing for eel, or possessing or selling eel caught in a Fishery District in the State until June 2012.
- Bye-Law No 858, 2009 prohibits the issue of eel fishing licences by the regional fisheries boards in any Fishery District.
PIKE
The CONSERVATION OF PIKE BYE-LAW NO. 809, 2006 provides for the following conservation measures:
- a bag limit of 1 Pike in any one day,
- prohibits the killing of any pike more than 50 cm in length,
- prohibits the possession by any person of more than 1 whole pike less than 50 cm or more than 0.75 kgs of pike flesh, this provision does not apply to a person storing pike or pike parts subject to conditions,
- prohibits the possession by any person of more than 12 coarse fish for use as bait subject to conditions.
Please Note
Folgende Gesetze wurden zum Schutz unserer Hecht und Weißfisch-Bestände erlassen.
Les lois suivantes ont été adoptées afin de conserver nos stocks de brochets et poissons communs.
A következo törvényeket terjesztették elo a csukánk és édesvízi halunk készleteihez való megorzéséhez.
Niniejsze przepisy zostaly ustalone w celu ochrony naszych szczupaków i ryb slodkowodnych.
Следующие законы были изданы для охраны запасов щуки и пресноводной рыбы.-
Lai aizsargatu musu lidaku un saldudens zivju krajumus, ir ieviesti sekojoši normativie akti. 
Siekiant išsaugoti lydeku ir versliniu žuvu atsargas buvo priimti žemiau išvardinti istatymai.
SEA ANGLING
BASS
The Bass (Conservation of Stocks)Order, 1990
Minimum overall size limit of 40cm from tip of snout to end of tail. Commercial fishing for bass is prohibited, the taking of bass using nets is prohibited, and Irish fishing boats must not have bass on board or engage in transhipment of bass.
Bass Fishing Conservation S.I. NO. 826 OF 2007
The effect of this Bye-law is to impose a bag limit on anglers of two bass in any one period of 24 hours and to provide for a ban on angling for bass during the spawning season (15th May to the 15th June).
Bass (Restriction on Sale) Order S.I. No. 367 of 2007
The effect of this Order is to prohibit the sale or offer for sale of bass (other than bass which has been imported into the State) from 1st day of July to 30th day of June.
Note: Penalties for breach of the above laws include confiscation of tackle and heavy fines.
BROWN TROUT
Most brown trout fisheries open between February 15th and March 1st. Most close on September 30th with some exceptions which close on various dates between September 15th and October 12th. Clubs may have their own regulations on opening and closing dates.
FLY ONLY BYE LAWS AND SIMILAR REGULATIONS
On some waters fly only regulations or other method restrictions may be in place. Please check with the fishery owner or Regional Fisheries Board for further information.