Angling Regulations and Fishy Links

http://www.cfb.ie/Angling/Angling%20Regulations.htm

The Following regulations apply to the angler in Ireland:

GENERAL FRESHWATER
· The only legal method to catch freshwater fish is by rod and line (Bye-law No.595)

· A person may fish with not more than two rods at any time (Bye-law No.595)


PROHIBITION OF LIVE BAITING
· It is illegal to have or to use live fish as bait (Bye-law No.592)

· It is illegal to transfer live roach from one water to any other waters (Bye-law No.561)


PIKE
· It is prohibited to take and kill more than one pike on any one day.(Bye-law No.667)

· It is prohibited for any person to have in their possession more than 6.6 lb.(3Kgs) of pike flesh whether in parts or fillets, steaks, cutlets, sides or in any other form whatsoever. (Bye-law No.667) except in the case of a specimen pike, provided that only one specimen pike is taken or killed by any person on any one day and that only one such pike, which shall be whole and ungutted, is in the possession of any one person.


SALMON and SEA TROUT
· A State Licence is required to fish for salmon and sea trout, but does not entitle you to fish. Permits or permission from fisheries owners must be obtained.

· All salmon (and sea trout over 40cm) kept must be tagged, and the logbook filled out accordingly.

· The salmon and sea trout season opens on January 1st in some fisheries. Most fisheries open at a later date (various dates up to the March 20th). Most fisheries close on September 30th with some exceptions which close on various dates between September 15th and October 12th.

· It is prohibited to keep or kill any sea trout in Connemara or the Ballinakill district.

· It is prohibited to use shrimp, prawn or any other crustacean as bait before June 1st.

· It is prohibited keep more than one salmon OR one sea trout over 40cm per day before June 1. Any subsequently caught fish must be returned unharmed to the water immediately upon capture.

· It is prohibited sell rod caught salmon or sea trout over 40cm between January 1st and October 31st.

BROWN TROUT
· Most brown trout fisheries open between February 15th and March 1st. Most close on September 30th with some exceptions which close on various dates between September 15th and October 12th. Clubs may have their own regulations on opening and closing dates.


FLY ONLY BYE LAWS AND SIMILAR REGULATIONS
· On some waters fly only regulations or other method restrictions may be in place. Please check with the fishery owner or Regional Fisheries Board for further information.


SEA ANGLING

BASS
· It is prohibited to take and kill more than two bass on any one day.(Bye-law No.667)
· Minimum overall size limit of 40cm. From tip of snout to end of tail
· Closed season from 15th May to 15th June.

Note: Penalties for breach of the above laws include confiscation of tackle and heavy fines

Overview of current angling regulations
http://www.fishinginireland.info/regulations.htm

Salmon and Sea Trout regulations 2012
http://www.fishinginireland.info/salmon/salmontagging.htm

Salmon and Sea Trout bye laws 2012
http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Salmon-Regulations/salmon-regulations.html

Fisheries Acts and amendments
Fisheries Act 1939
Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1962
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1964
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1976
Fisheries Act 1980
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1987
Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1987
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1991
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1994
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1995
Fisheries (Commissions) Act 1997
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1999
Inland Fisheries Act 2010