Fishing regulations in Ireland

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a fishing licence in Ireland?

Only for salmon and sea trout over 40 cm: Inland Fisheries Ireland sells a state licence (€100 a year for all districts in 2026, €36 a day). Brown trout, pike and coarse fishing need no state licence, although many waters require a local permit. Northern Ireland has separate licences.

In the Republic of Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) issues the salmon rod licence, which also covers sea trout over 40 cm. 2026 options: annual all districts €100, annual one district €64, 21 days €50, one day €36, juvenile up to 17 €10. It comes with tags and a logbook, and the printed licence must be carried. Under the tagging scheme (S.I. No. 129 of 2026) every salmon and every sea trout over 40 cm kept must be tagged, and unused tags and the logbook must be returned before 19 October. For brown trout, pike and coarse fish there is no state licence, but many lakes and rivers are managed by bodies or clubs that sell a permit, such as the Midland Fisheries Group (€45 a year or €20 a day for adults in 2026) or ESB. National rules still apply: no pike over 50 cm may be killed, and at most four coarse fish under 25 cm may be kept per day. Northern Ireland requires its own licence and permit.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – 2026 annual salmon rod licence (all districts) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; gov.ie – wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme and 2026 conservation measures ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws)

Do you need a fishing permit in Ireland?

Often yes, even where no state licence is needed. Many lakes and rivers are managed by bodies or clubs that sell permits, for example the Midland Fisheries Group permit (€45 a year or €20 a day for adults in 2026) for Loughs Sheelin, Owel, Ennell and Derravaragh. Salmon fisheries often charge separately too.

Ireland separates the state licence (only for salmon and sea trout) from the permission to fish a given water. Fishing rights on many lakes and rivers belong to owners, clubs, state bodies or companies, which sell permits or day tickets. Inland Fisheries Ireland's permit shop sells the Midland Fisheries Group permit, costing €45 a year or €20 a day for an adult in 2026, which covers lakes such as Sheelin, Owel, Ennell and Derravaragh and rivers such as the Suck, Inny and Brosna; Lough Sheelin is closed to all fishing from 13 October to 29 February. ESB manages other waters with its own permits. On salmon rivers, access to a beat is usually sold by the owner or club in addition to the state licence. Where a water has no permit requirement, national bye-laws still apply, such as the ban on killing pike over 50 cm and the limit of four coarse fish per day.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – licence FAQ ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026

Where can you fish in Ireland?

Inland Fisheries Ireland lists salmon rivers open for harvest (such as the Moy, Corrib, Laune and Drowes), catch-and-release rivers (Slaney, Barrow, Nore, Suir) and closed ones each year. Big lakes such as Sheelin, Owel, Ennell and Derravaragh are fished for trout and pike under the Midland Fisheries Group permit.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) classifies salmon rivers into three tables each year. In 2026, table 1 (open, harvest allowed) includes the Moy at Ballina, the Corrib at Galway, the Laune, Caragh, Kerry Blackwater, Drowes and Bandon; table 2 (catch and release only) includes the Slaney (1 June to 31 August), Barrow, Nore, Suir, Feale and Lower Shannon; table 3 (closed) includes the Liffey, Upper Shannon, Boyne and Erne. For trout, pike and coarse fish there is no state licence, but some lakes need a local permit: the Midland Fisheries Group sells an adult annual permit for €45 in 2026 for Loughs Sheelin, Owel, Ennell and Derravaragh and rivers such as the Suck, Inny and Brosna. Lough Sheelin is closed to all fishing from 13 October to 29 February. Specific rules apply on some rivers, such as fly only on the Slaney above Enniscorthy. There is no official 'best' ranking; check the year's lists before choosing.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – licence FAQ

How much is a fishing licence in Ireland?

A state licence is only needed for salmon and sea trout. In 2026 Inland Fisheries Ireland charges €100 for an annual all-districts licence, €64 for one district, €50 for 21 days, €36 for one day and €10 for juveniles up to 17. Local permits for other waters cost extra.

Inland Fisheries Ireland publishes these 2026 salmon and sea trout rod licence prices: annual licence for all districts €100, annual for one district €64, 21-day licence €50, one-day licence €36, and juvenile licence (up to and including age 17) €10. Licences are bought online, printed and carried, and come with blue tags and a logbook. No state licence is needed for brown trout, pike or coarse fish, but local permits can apply: the Midland Fisheries Group permit costs €45 a year or €20 a day for adults in 2026. Beat fees on private salmon fisheries are set by their owners. Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, has its own DAERA and Loughs Agency licences; a DAERA season game rod licence costs £17 for anglers aged 19 to 59, and short-term tourist licences are also sold.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – 2026 annual salmon rod licence (all districts) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; nidirect – game rod licence prices (DAERA) ; nidirect – short-term and tourist rod licence prices (DAERA)

Can you fish in Ireland as a tourist?

Yes. Visitors follow the same rules as residents: brown trout, pike and coarse fishing need no state licence, only local permits where required, and salmon or sea trout need an Inland Fisheries Ireland licence, including a €36 one-day or €50 21-day option in 2026. Northern Ireland has its own tourist licences.

Irish angling rules do not depend on nationality. For brown trout, pike and coarse fish there is no state licence, although many waters require a permit, such as the Midland Fisheries Group permit (€20 a day or €45 a year for adults in 2026). For salmon and sea trout over 40 cm, a state licence is needed: short options for visitors include a one-day licence at €36 and a 21-day licence at €50, bought online and printed. Many salmon rivers are closed or catch-and-release only in 2026 according to IFI's river lists. National rules apply to everyone: at most two rods, no live fish as bait, no transfer of live roach, no pike over 50 cm killed, and at most four coarse fish under 25 cm kept per day. If you cross into Northern Ireland, you need a DAERA or Loughs Agency licence and permit; DAERA sells short-term and tourist licences.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – 2026 annual salmon rod licence (all districts) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – licence FAQ ; nidirect – short-term and tourist rod licence prices (DAERA)

What fish can you catch in Ireland?

Atlantic salmon and sea trout (with a state licence and tags), brown trout, pike, and coarse fish such as roach, bream, rudd, tench and perch. Pike over 50 cm may not be killed, and no coarse fish over 25 cm may be kept, with a limit of four a day.

Inland Fisheries Ireland's rules separate three groups. Migratory salmonids, Atlantic salmon and sea trout over 40 cm, require a state licence with tags and a logbook; in 2026 the annual bag is seven fish on table 1 rivers, with only one fish from 3 April to 31 May and compulsory release from 1 September. Brown trout and other trout are fished without a state licence, sometimes with a local permit, as on the Midland Fisheries Group lakes. Pike are protected by a 2006 bye-law: no pike over 50 cm may be killed, and only one whole pike under 50 cm or 0.75 kg of flesh may be held. Coarse fish, including roach, bream, rudd, tench and perch, are limited to four per day, and no coarse fish over 25 cm may be killed. Live fish may not be used as bait and live roach may not be moved between waters.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – licence FAQ

How do I get a fishing licence in Ireland?

Buy the salmon and sea trout licence online from Inland Fisheries Ireland's shop, print it and carry it; tags and a logbook come with it. For trout, pike and coarse fishing no state licence exists, so you only buy any local permit the water requires, often on the IFI permit shop.

Salmon and sea trout licences are sold online on Inland Fisheries Ireland's store (annual all districts €100, one district €64, 21 days €50, one day €36, juvenile €10 in 2026). The licence must be printed and carried while fishing, and it comes with blue tags and a logbook: every salmon and every sea trout over 40 cm kept must be tagged, some rivers require an additional brown tag, and the logbook and unused tags must be returned before 19 October. Selling rod-caught salmon or sea trout is illegal. Before choosing a river, check IFI's annual salmon regulations, which list rivers open for harvest, catch-and-release only, or closed. For brown trout, pike and coarse fish there is no licence, but permits for managed waters, such as the Midland Fisheries Group permit, are sold on IFI's permit shop. Northern Ireland licences are bought separately through nidirect.

Official sources : Inland Fisheries Ireland – 2026 annual salmon rod licence (all districts) ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – licence FAQ ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; gov.ie – wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme and 2026 conservation measures ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – Midland Fisheries Group permit 2026 ; nidirect – angling rod licences explained (Northern Ireland)

Do you need a fishing licence in Northern Ireland?

Yes. Northern Ireland requires both a rod licence and an angling permit, issued by DAERA or, in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments, by the Loughs Agency. GB and Republic of Ireland licences are not valid there. A DAERA season game rod licence costs £17 for anglers aged 19 to 59.

GOV.UK and nidirect state that you must have a rod licence and an angling permit from a Northern Irish agency to fish in Northern Ireland. Two authorities issue them: DAERA for most of Northern Ireland, and the cross-border Loughs Agency for the Foyle and Carlingford catchments, with endorsements available to fish both areas. A licence from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland is not valid. DAERA's season game rod licence costs £17 for anglers aged 19 to 59, and DAERA also sells coarse licences and short-term or tourist licences. Rules differ from the Republic: all salmon and sea trout caught in the DAERA area must be released, and selling rod-caught salmon is banned. The Loughs Agency bans shrimp and live bait and fishing within 5 m of a weir. Licences and permits are bought online through nidirect.

Official sources : nidirect – angling rod licences explained (Northern Ireland) ; nidirect – game rod licence prices (DAERA) ; nidirect – short-term and tourist rod licence prices (DAERA) ; nidirect – endorsements to fish both DAERA and Loughs Agency areas ; GOV.UK – rod fishing licence guide (Scotland and Northern Ireland)

What fish are native to Ireland?

According to FishBase, Atlantic salmon, brown and sea trout, Arctic char and European eel are native to Ireland's waters. Roach was introduced to Ireland, and several other coarse fish and pike are the subject of debate or introductions, so check specialist sources for a given species.

FishBase gives native ranges that include Ireland for Atlantic salmon (North Atlantic rivers), brown trout including its sea-run form, Arctic char (circumpolar, including the British Isles) and European eel (fresh and coastal waters of Europe connected to the sea). FishBase explicitly lists roach as introduced to Ireland. For pike and the other coarse fish now common in Irish lakes, such as bream, rudd, tench and perch, FishBase's summaries do not settle Irish origin, and we have not reviewed an official Irish source on their status, so we do not classify them here. Irish rules reflect conservation priorities: salmon and sea trout are licensed and tagged, many salmon rivers are catch-and-release or closed in 2026, and live roach may not be transferred between waters to prevent their spread.

Official sources : FishBase – Salmo salar ; FishBase – Salmo trutta ; FishBase – Salvelinus alpinus ; FishBase – Anguilla anguilla ; FishBase – Rutilus rutilus ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – salmon fishing regulations 2026 ; Inland Fisheries Ireland – angling regulations reminder (pike and coarse fish bye-laws)