01 ·
Lough Derg
Pike over 20 pounds
Europe · Fishing World Guide
Ireland.
Fishing in Ireland 2026 — Licenses, Regulations & Best Spots
6
target species
Yes
license needed
Mar–Sep
best season
Scroll
Do you need a license?
License
Yes.
Annual National Licence approx. 100 Euro | Annual District Licence approx. 64 Euro | 21 Day National Licence
›All license details
- Where to apply?
- Inland Fisheries Ireland, authorised tackle shops, online
- Cost
- Annual National Licence approx. 100 Euro | Annual District Licence approx. 64 Euro | 21 Day National Licence
- Validity
- Annual licences or 21-day licences
- Available online?
- Yes
Max. two rods allowed simultaneously. Strict catch quotas for salmon and sea trout with annual cap of 10 fish per angler.
When to go?
The season at a glance.
Best season
May to August for salmon | March to September for trout | Year-round for pike and sea fishing
Where to fish?
The top waters.
02 ·
Lough Ree
Pike over 20 pounds
03 ·
Lough Erne
Pike over 20 pounds
04 ·
Lough Mask
Pike over 20 pounds
05 ·
Munster Blackwater
Salmon
06 ·
River Moy
Salmon
07 ·
River Laune
Salmon
08 ·
River Erriff
Salmon
09 ·
Achill Island
Conger Eel
10 ·
Clew Bay
Conger Eel
11 ·
Clifden Connemara
Conger Eel
12 ·
Galway Bay
Conger Eel
What's biting?
Your target species.
The rules.
Four things you need to know.
Closed seasons
Closed seasons
Salmon & sea trout: season March 15-17 to September 30 (partly to September 15 or October 12) | Pike: no closed seasons | Sea fishing: year-round
Catch limits
Catch limits
Salmon & sea trout: max. 10 per year, daily bag 3 fish (May 12 - August 31) | Pike: max. 1 fish up to 50 cm per day | Coarse fish: max. 4 per day, no longer than 25 cm | Sea bass: minimum size 42 cm
Prohibited methods
Prohibited methods
Fishing with live bait fundamentally prohibited
Catch & release
Catch & release
Recommended, especially for salmon and sea trout
What does it cost?
100 €
License
Annual salmon licence: 100 Euro | Annual district licence: 64 Euro | Daily fishing permit: 20-50 Euro
50
Guide per day
Professional guide: 50-150+ Euro per day (variable)
120 €
Daily budget
Budget travel at 120 Euro/day possible | Hostel: 10-25 Euro per night | Mid-range B&B/hotel: 60-150 Euro per night | Simple lunch: 8-15 Euro | Pub meal: 15-28 Euro | Pint of beer: 6-7 Euro
Bite times
The best fishing times — free.
Best fishing times
·Ireland53.41°, -8.24°
🎣 Live catches in irland
2 verified catches
Not enough data (2 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
Plan your trip.
Everything in one place.
All the details
The fine print.
License in detail
Inland Fisheries Ireland, authorised tackle shops, online — Max. two rods allowed simultaneously. Strict catch quotas for salmon and sea trout with annual cap of 10 fish per angler.
Rules in detail
Ireland strictly protects its pike stocks - taking pike is prohibited in many places. Do not use live or dead baitfish!
Freshwater
Loughs (lakes): Derg, Ree, Erne, Mask | Rivers: Suck, Bann, Barrow, Moy, Laune, Erriff, Drowes, Finn
Saltwater
Atlantic coast with focus on the west: Achill Island, Clew Bay, Clifden, Galway Bay, Connemara
Equipment
Fly fishing sea trout: 9 ft rods class 6-7 | Pike fishing: artificial lures (crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons, swimbaits) | Max. two rods simultaneously
Guides
Recommended at larger lakes until you know the water | Professional guides variable between 50-150+ Euro per day
Getting there
Deep sea fishing trips: 40-80 Euro per person | Car rental: 30-60 Euro per day
Safety
Best to always fish with a partner | Live bait prohibited
Customs & fish export
Guides are recommended at large lakes for local knowledge | Traditional Irish fishing with fly fishing widely practised
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All information without guarantee. Always check with the official local authorities. Not legal advice. Last updated: March 27, 2026
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