As the season for salmonids draws to a close on many fisheries, there has been an improvement in conditions on a number of rivers and lakes, as fresher water and cooler autumn temperatures have taken hold. Both air temperatures and rainfall amounts have been below average across the country during the past seven days, but with the rivers already topped up from the previous week, the chance of an autumn fish improved greatly, and just in the nick of time too…

In Cork, the conditions were just right and good numbers of grilse were reported on the Lee, with thirty fish caught. In West Cork, floods improved water levels on all of the rivers and some decent fishing was  had on the Bandon, Ilen, Coomhola and Owvane. Travelling up the coast, a pair of French visitors caught and released five salmon on the Kerry Blackwater while fishing over two days and, up on Lough Currane, anglers caught six salmon for the week. There were also good numbers of sea trout to 3lb, when conditions allowed boats to get onto the lake. In Mayo, heavy rain during the week with subsequent high-water levels made angling difficult on the Moy and on the Erriff, September was a month of high winds and high-water levels and anglers did well to land a few salmon and sea trout.

River Bandon

Cork angler, Kevin Donnelly, was fishing for salmon on Lough Leane. Kevin had the fish of a lifetime while trolling a Rapala, but it wasn’t the fish he was expecting, with a fine ferox trout coming to the net. Also catching his best trout this week was John McKernan, who thanked his guide for the right fly on Lough Arrow! One lake that will remain open for a while yet is Lough Sheelin and the Butlersbridge Trout Anglers are holding their Guider/McIntyre Cup there on September 7th. Lough O’Flynn’s Maloney/Keady Cup was held last weekend, where a few lucky anglers got fish on a slow day. The David Browne Memorial Cup was held on Lough Conn, where twenty-eight anglers caught and released twenty-eight trout over the course of the day. Lure fishing for trout this week were guests of Senan Stanley, who caught trout, pike and perch – the highlight being 18 trout on one day up to 50cm – all safely released.

PiscariFly report that rivers in the south east look to be in excellent order for the last few days of the wild trout season, as they had some really good sessions on the Nore and its tributaries. The end of the season won’t stop the Dodder Anglers from fishing, as they have once again organised their away trip to Laois Angling Centre – the date, October 5th, and all are welcome.

On Lough Ree, the Lough Ree Predator Challenge was fished last Sunday, where 24 teams took to the water in search of pike, perch and trout. There could be only one winner though, as Team Boat Junkies took the top prize. Fishing from the shore, the Fishing With Steve YouTube channel is back with the first piking session of the autumn, in it Steve lands a great fish to start his season with!

Fishing for a different type of freshwater predator was young Donnacha O’Connor in Lanesborough at the weekend. Donnacha was fishing with a Mepps spinner and had great sport with the local perch population.

perch

In coarse fishing, the Ireland’s FeederKing finale took place over two days last weekend, with 24 of Ireland’s best match anglers looking to be crowned; it was Tony Hopkins who took the title there, after a big weight on day one. There was a great turnout at Oakland’s for the final Round of the Summer league, the league winner was John Browne with special mention to junior league winner Charlie Upton. The Leinster Coarse Fishing Federation held their Leinster Open match at Annagheirin over the weekend too, and it was a visiting pleasure angler from Britain that gave the local lads a bit of a lesson! The VDE Baggers have announced dates and venues for their Winter League, they will be mixing it up between the River Erne and the Newry canal.

In saltwater, there was a surprise catch for one of the Killybegs Mariners, as he landed a 41cm gilthead bream in Donegal – a new club record for an uncommon species that far north. Some good bass have been caught this week too, with clients of Eire Bass, including fishing obsessed 6 year old, Eoin Flood, catching plenty in Cork Harbour now that the strong winds have eased. Eoin wins our Junior Catch of the Week for his great fish. Further west, David Norman of Angling Adventures West Cork reports that best is probably yet to come for kayak fishing this year – and he has been busy seeking new marks for his clients.

Eoin Flood, first cast nets a bass!
Eoin Flood, first cast nets a bass!

There were one or two shore competitions around the country too. In Wexford, the Ringsend Irishtown club fished Balinoulart, where a last cast caught a cracking 61cm bass. The 2025 All-Ireland Master Angler Competition was hosted by Killala Boat & Shore Angling Club and by all accounts the host club ran a brilliantly well run event. The organisers of the Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival have announced the dates for 2026, it will take place from January 22nd-24th on beaches in Wexford.

After weeks of strong winds, the tuna boats can finally get out after those mighty bluefins and it was the Leah-C who had two bumper days on the water, landing no less than 25 fish – this amazing feat wins our Catch of the Week. Other boats in the bay also had good success and there were a lot of fish spotted feeding off the Cork coast as well.

In other news

The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association (ILFA) is on a mission to get more women out enjoying flyfishing and to increase the percentage of women on the shores and banks of Irish waterways. They are organising a beginners day, which will take place at Laois Angling Centre. It begins at 11am and will include a short indoor session followed by 4 hours of casting instruction and practice outside – click here for more information.

Mum and daughter Brid and Georgina Walsh
Mum and daughter Brid and Georgina Walsh

Public consultation

Inland Fisheries Ireland is running a public consultation on the agency’s Statement of Strategy for the next five years (2026-2030).

Anglers and angling associations are some of the organisation’s key stakeholders, and this document will guide IFI’s role in any future involvement with recreational angling and the angling sector.

To contribute to the public consultation, please take the time to review our Statement of Strategy Guidance Document and Make an Online Submission – which you can do here.

The public consultation will be open for submissions until Friday, October 17th, 2025.

Extract from the IFI Statement of Strategy

And now the weather…

Rain will track eastwards on Friday night with clear skies following from the west, leaving a mostly dry and sunny day Saturday with light breezes, a few showers and a chance of lingering rain in the northeast. Highs of 13°C to 17°.

Sunny spells on Sunday with light showers expected. Highs of 14°C to 17°C in light breezes.

High pressure is indicated to remain nearby early next week bringing largely dry weather conditions though some light rain or showers are still possible at times. Highs generally ranging between 15°C and 18°C.

All the angling news

Salmon Fishing Reports

Trout Fishing Reports

Coarse Angling Reports

Pike & Perch Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

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