Europe
Fishing in
Ireland 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Ireland53.41°, -8.24°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- 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.
Buy fishing license for Ireland online
Official authority website
Book fishing tours in Ireland
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- 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
- 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
- Fishing with live bait fundamentally prohibited
- Catch & Release
- Recommended, especially for salmon and sea trout
Ireland strictly protects its pike stocks - taking pike is prohibited in many places. Do not use live or dead baitfish!
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Lough Derg (Hecht über 20 poands)
- —Lough Ree (Hecht über 20 poands)
- —Lough Erne (Hecht über 20 poands)
- —Lough Mask (Hecht über 20 poands)
- —Munster Blackwater (Salmon)
- —River Moy (Salmon)
- —River Laune (Salmon)
- —River Erriff (Salmon)
- —Achill Island (Conger Eel)
- —Clew Bay (Conger Eel)
- —Clifden Connemara (Conger Eel)
- —Galway Bay (Conger Eel)
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
Professional guide: 50-150+ Euro per day (variable)
Best season: May to August for salmon | March to September for trout | Year-round for pike and sea fishing
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Fly fishing sea trout: 9 ft rods class 6-7 | Pike fishing: artificial lures (crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons, swimbaits) | Max. two rods simultaneously
- Fishing guides
- Recommended at larger lakes until you know the water | Professional guides variable between 50-150+ Euro per day
- Transport
- 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 & taking fish home
- Guides are recommended at large lakes for local knowledge | Traditional Irish fishing with fly fishing widely practised
05
Cost Overview
License fees
Annual salmon licence: 100 Euro | Annual district licence: 64 Euro | Daily fishing permit: 20-50 Euro
Guide prices
Professional guide: 50-150+ Euro per day (variable)
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
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Ireland
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Ireland →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Ireland with Kiwi.com
Compare flights →
Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
Book transfer →
Mobile Data
eSIM for 150+ countries — no roaming fees
Get eSIM →
Data not correct?
Help us keep this page up to date — report outdated or incorrect information
More Countries
Discover.
Don't miss any fishing tips!
Get the best fishing destination recommendations weekly in your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.