Ireland Fishing

Ireland is recognised as being the best 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 x 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 Irish climate is well suited to sport angling. 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.

Sea Bass

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.

Salmon fishing in Ireland

The essence of game angling in Ireland is the pursuit of salmon and trout in wild places. Ireland offers a unique opportunity to experience salmon and sea trout fishing and flyfishing in unspoilt surroundings.

Coarse Fishing in Ireland

Coarse fishing in Ireland offers solitude and tranquillity and it can also offer companionship to those who like to fish in company. But above all it offers superb fishing.

Pike Fishing in Ireland

Excellent habitat is one of the attributes of Irish pike fishing, and because of it the pike angler in Ireland can expect an excellent general standard of angling.

Sea Fishing in Ireland

Irish seas can be fished from spring to late autumn for species found elsewhere only in summer months.

Trout Fly Fishing on Rivers in Ireland

Ireland offers the essence of the trout flyfishing - the pursuit of wild trout rising to hatching fly in natural waters.