Irish Fishing Regulations
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,).
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.
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.
Salmon Licence Fees (2010)
- All Districts (i.e. all Regions) Annual: €120 (incl. €60 conservation stamp)
- Juvenile (under the age of 18 years) All Districts Annual: €18 (incl. €9 conservation stamp)
- One District, Annual: €58 (incl. €29 conservation stamp)
- All districts, 21 Days: €46 (incl. €23 conservation stamp)
- All districts, 1 Day: €32 (incl. €16 conservation stamp)
- Area Extension €76 (incl. €38 conservation stamp)
Open Rivers, Closed Rivers, Tagging Scheme, more information
Please follow this link for Salmon Angling Regulations 2010.
Coarse Fish
The Coarse fish bye law 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
- .CONSERVATION OF AND PROHIBITION ON SALE OF COARSE FISH BYE-LAW NO. 806, 2006
PIKE
The pike bye law 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.
- CONSERVATION OF PIKE BYE-LAW NO. 809, 2006
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 következő törvényeket terjesztették elő a csukánk és édesvízi halunk készleteihez való megőrzéséhez.
Niniejsze przepisy zostały ustalone w celu ochrony naszych szczupaków i ryb słodkowodnych.
Следующие законы были изданы для охраны запасов щуки и пресноводной рыбы.
Lai aizsargātu mūsu līdaku un saldūdens zivju krājumus, ir ieviesti sekojoši normatīvie akti.
Siekiant išsaugoti lydekų ir verslinių žuvų atsargas buvo priimti žemiau išvardinti įstatymai.
SEA ANGLING
BASS
Minimum overall size limit of 40cm. From tip of snout to end of tail
Bass Fishing Conservation Bye-law (Renewed annually)
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).