Fishing in Ireland

Ireland is one of those places that conforms beautifully to the stereotype – the countryside really is impossibly lush and green, the Guinness genuinely does taste better, and the warmth of the welcome is difficult to overstate. Fortunately that generous welcome is extended to everyone, including fishermen, with every angling taste catered for within its diverse, if compact borders.

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Photo credits: Rory Batho

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In an era of declining salmon and sea trout populations, the rivers (such as the Moy and Blackwater) still boast healthy numbers of fish, while the loughs scattered across the country are home to plenty of trout. And for fly-fishermen looking for something different, pike are never far away. Elsewhere in the freshwater world, coarse fishermen can expect plenty of easily accessible sport, with 100lb+ bags of bream and silver fish a genuine possibility, and superb numbers of perch in many of the rivers.
Ireland’s reputation for top-class bass fishing has also grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, as the popularity of saltwater fly-fishing and light-tackle lure sport has exploded. Thanks to some sensible protection orders and wise stewardship from fishermen, bass stocks in inshore coastal waters (particularly from Wexford round to Kerry) are very healthy. Throw in some top-class offshore fishing for blue sharks and you’ve pretty much got all bases covered.

Where to fish in Ireland

Select one of the categories below to find out more and kick off your Irish fishing adventure: