Salmon & Trout Fishing in Ireland
In addition to coarse and sea fishing, Ireland also offers some fantastic salmon and trout fishing opportunities. Here are some of the top trout & salmon fishing locations in Ireland.
River Lee
The River Lee salmon fishery, an 8-mile stretch of river between Cork City and Inniscarra dam, has a fair run of salmon (with anglers landing an estimated 800 fish a season), with a very good (depending on water) grilse run, as well as brown trout. As the fishery is run by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), anglers will require an ESB permit. Salmon season runs from the 1st of Februry to the 30th of September, while brown trout season runs from the 15th of February to the 12th of October.
Image from: http://salmonfishingireland2012.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/salmon-fishing-ireland-2017-lee-river.html
Other excellent salmon and trout/sea trout fisheries in Co. Cork include:
- River Bandon, Shehy Mountains to Kinsale Harbour – Estimated catch 1,00 salmon per year, with similar figures for sea trout. The open season for both runs from the 15th of February to the 30th of September. Please note that the use of worms for bait and any hooks other than barbless single hooks for all fish species in the specified waters is prohibited by Bye-law 897 (2012; learn more).
- River Arigideen – Draining a 56 m2 catchment, this lovely river primarily holds sea trout, but occasionally gets grilse and salmon. Access for disabled anglers is provided at Inchy Bridge. Seasons for set trout and salmon are 15th of February to 12th of October and 15th of February to 30th of September respectively.
- River Sullane – One of the better River Lee tributaries, this river offers good quality fishing for brown trout, with a lake run producing larger than average trout in the latter part of the season. River access is well developed. Open season runs from the 2nd of March (opening of the local angling club’s waters may be delayed until the 1st of April, we recommend checking locally before fishing) to the 12th of October (this also applies to all Sullane tributaries and the River Laney).
- Munster Blackwater – Open season runs from the 15th of February to the 30th of September. The statutory minimum size limit for both trout and salmon here is 7 inches, and fishing is prohibited from Mill Dam (Clondulane) and for 30 yds. (27.432 m) below it.
Waterville
Offering readily available access to guides and boats for tourist anglers, the well-developed Waterville lakes & river system in Co. Kerry is considered by many as the country’s foremost sea trout and salmon fishery (please note that you will require a state licence to fish for both here). Sea trout on Lough Currane is especially well-known for its quantity and size. Open seasons for both sea trout and salmon are 17th of January to 30th of September, although the best time for sea trout is between early June and September. Other great fisheries in the system include Lough Derriana, the Cummeragh and Waterville Rivers; Lough Namona and Cloonaghlin Lough, all of which offer good runs of both salmon and sea trout.
Image from: http://www.fishinginireland.info/salmon/southwest/waterville.htm
Other fantastic sea trout/salmon fishing locations in Co. Kerry include:
- Rivers Laune & Flesk and Caragh River and Lake – Good runs of salmon & grilse; notable sea trout fishing, large stocks of wild (free rising) brown trout and occasionally char. Seasons: Salmon 17th of January to 30th of September and sea trout 17th of January to 12th of October.
- Rivers Laune & Killarney Lakes System – Excellent salmon and grilse; sea trout primarily confined to River Laune; good populations of brown trout and sizeable Ferox Brown Trout on Lough Leane. Good access throughout with guides & boats available. Seasons: salmon and sea trout 17th of January to 30th of September; brown trout 15th of February to 12th of October.
- River Blackwater – Catch & release fishing only, with good salmon and grilse runs and reasonable sea trout run heading for Lough Brin. Excellent access throughout. Please note: Use of worms for bait and any hooks other than barbless single hooks for all fish species in the specified waters is prohibited by Bye-law No. 930 (2014, learn more). Seasons: salmon 15th of March to 30th of September; brown & sea trout 15th of March to 12th of October.
River Mulcair
The River Mulcair in Co. Limerick can easily be considered as on of the Shannon region’s finest salmon fisheries. Top spots for early spring (March & April) salmon runs include Annacotty Weir, Lanes Weir below Annacotty bridge and Ballyclough (upstream of Annacotty). Hotspots for the main summer (May to June/early July) run of grilse & salmon include Boher, Brittas, Drumkeen and Long Field. Sufficient rainfall & adequate water levels mean grilse will quickly move on to the Newport River (the main Mulcair River tributary), where good stretches reach upriver from Barringtons Bridge to Killeenagarrif Bridge and from Annagh Bridge on to Knocksentry. The upper stretches of both the Mulcair and Newport rivers (up to the River Bilboa at Cappaghmore) also hold good stocks of brown trout.
Image by Jim Cornwall [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Another good spot for both sea trout and salmon fishing in the Shannon region is the River Feale. Detailed information on fishing this river can be found here.
River Erriff
The River Erriff, Ballinakill District, is regarded as one of Ireland’s premier rivers for salmon fishing. Forming part of the Erriff System, which includes Tawnyard Lough and Lough,Derrintin, this river has 8 miles of exquisite angling water with 9 uncrowded beats offering good runs of spring salmon (April to May) and summer salmon & grilse (June to early September), as well as good sea and brown trout runs (early July onwards; especially on Tawnyard Lough). Dapping and fly-fishing are the only methods of fishing permitted. Boats/outboard motors are available. Seasons: brown trout 15th of February to 30th of September; sea trout 1st of June to 30th of September and salmon 1st of April to 30th of September.
Image by Mark Duncan [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Other great sea trout/salmon locations in the west of Ireland include:
- Ballinakill District: Bunowen, Carrowniskey and Owenwee River; the Delphi Fishery, Culfin, Owenglin and Dawros & Kylemore
- Connemara District: Ballynahinch & Lough Inagh, Costello & Fermoyle Fishery and Screebe Fishery
- Galway District: Lough Corrib & Galway Fishery
More detailed information on these locations is available here.
Dulrush Fishing Lodge
Offering easy access to all prime fishing locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the Dulrush Fishing Lodge in Co. Fermanagh makes a welcoming, comfortable and convenient base for your Irish fishing holidays.