Fishing in Ireland

Shore fishing in Ireland

Sea trout fishing and bass fishing can be done spinning from the shore or in a small boat. Apart from nice sea bass and sea trout, you can also catch mackerel and pollack with top water lures, poppers, spinner baits, stick-bait using the "walking-the-dog" action. The best flies on the fly fishing rod are streamers and the Lefty's Deceiver fly combining white and blue for example, imitating small bait fish.

Offshore fishing in Ireland

Fishing charters in Kinsale, Ballycotton, Dingle, Galway, Youghal or Donegal organize deep sea fishing tours, both private charters and shared charters, and provide the captain, fishing tackle, bait & lures and all you need to enjoy a memorable day at seas. Boat fishing, the targeted species can be big shark, skate; or tope and flatfish over sandy ground.

Fishing one of the many charted wrecks off the Irish coast is probably the best guarantee to catch decent sized cod, pollack, conger or ling during your fishing trip. Wreck fishing is always an unforgettable experience.

Another - less known - option is tuna fishing in Ireland. Yes indead, you can go big game fishing in Ireland! The warmer currents of the North Atlantic Current of the Gulf Stream bring subtropic species such as the giant bluefin tuna to the Irish coasts. Large shoals of tuna can be spotted on a regular basis in the inshore waters of Donegal Bay. Other species such as albacore and bonito tuna can also be caught. The Irish authorities don't allow killing bluefin tuna, so they can only be caught and released alive to the sea.

Pike fishing

Besides salmon fishing, trout fishing and sea angling, Ireland is definitely a primier pike fishing country. The thousands of rivers & lakes, or Loughs as they call them here, have tremendous stocks of large pike. Many anglers from the United States, Europe and Russia book a yearly holiday to enjoy the Irish pike angling. The pike, which grow quickly and can reach up to 20 Kg, can be caught fly fishing with large streamers, spinfishing or with natural bait.

Trout fishing

Trout (brown trout) is another fantastic fishing species from the Irish rivers and loughs.

Salmon fishing

The Atlantic salmon can be caught in the Irish rivers and loughs between January and the end of September. This magnificent fighter can be targeted fly fishing, spinning or bait fishing.

Deep sea fishing in Ireland and Northern Ireland is possible all year round, although the best time is between the end of March and October. Not only because the fish are more active when the water is warmer, but also because of the weather conditions (especially on the west coasts). In winter the weather is pretty unstable and makes fishing on the Wild Atlantic during the colder months pretty difficult.

There is no close season for pike fishing in Ireland and anglers may fish for pike all year round. This sought after fish species is active practically all day, except during the hot summer months when pike prefer to feed early in the morning and in the evening. During the winter heavy rain fall may cause floodings and some rivers will be impossible to fish. Wind can make pike fishing hard and dangerous on larger lakes and loughs.

The salmon fishing season starts between January and May, depending on the river. Most rivers close by the end of September. We can inform you about the opening and closing dates for each river.

There are many beautiful and fascinating places to visit in Ireland, but here are five of the top tourist destinations that you shouldn't miss:

1. The Cliffs of Moher - These stunning cliffs rise up to 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.

2. The Ring of Kerry - This scenic drive takes you through some of the most picturesque countryside in Ireland, including mountains, lakes, and charming villages.

3. Dublin - Ireland's capital city is full of history, culture, and entertainment, with attractions like Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

4. The Giant's Causeway - This natural wonder on the northern coast of Ireland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring thousands of interlocking basalt columns that form a striking landscape.

5. The Dingle Peninsula - This area on the west coast of Ireland is known for its rugged beauty and charming villages, as well as its archaeological sites and ancient monuments.

These are just a few of the many amazing destinations in Ireland, so be sure to explore the country and discover all that it has to offer!

Angling is regulated by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). You don't need a fishing license or a permit for sea fishing in Ireland. Make sure you inform about the local catch and release policies.

For fresh water fishing though, there are limitations and for some rivers, such as those from the "Midland Fisheries Group" and espacially for salmon and trout (brown trout) (and some places also pike) you need a fishing license. A Salmon Licence for all districts can be purchased for 40€ for 21 days for example. An annual salmon fishing licence for all districts costs 100€.