A sudden cold snap gripped much of the country this week bringing to an end the wet and windy conditions that had dominated until last weekend. Everyone had frost and ice and the border counties even saw some snow.  The weekend’s rains were significant and most venues were in flood for most of the week. The weather didn’t put too much of a dampener on fishing in Ireland though and we have a few reports that are well worth a read…

november tench

The Leinster Coarse Fishing Federation fished the fourth round of their Royal Enfield Winter League at the weekend, and despite it being mid-November, tench still featured prominently in catches! CM Lakelands Feeder Club fished an open feeder match on  Lough Garadice last Sunday. Fishing was tough, but the winning net, weighing 4.200kg, included a bream and some skimmers. Meath Local Sports Partnership announced the official opening of a new accessible fishing platform at Enfield Harbour during the week. The new platform is free to use and available immediately at Enfield Harbour. No advance booking is required.

There were more PBs and metre pike for anglers fishing with Senan Stanley on Lough Derg in the last week. The biggest fish was 105cm, but two younger anglers fishing with their dads enjoyed tremendous fishing boating pike to 102cm. Patrick and Fin are our Catch of the Week winners. Belgian anglers fishing with Bodo Funke in the Boyle area also enjoyed great fishing last week and their best fish were 103cm and 109cm. A trio of junior anglers in Meath hit one of Monaghan’s lakes at the weekend. They all caught fish, including Kevin who marked the day by catching his first pike ever. Newbridge & District Pike Angling Club hosts its annual open pike fishing competition on November 23rd at Poulaphouca – a great day out for families and anglers of all ages. Lough Bracken and District Anglers have announced that day tickets are now available for the fishery from Anglers World in Navan.

On to sea angling now, where strong winds and cold conditions didn’t deter the boat or shore anglers in the Killybegs area. The Mariners endured Baltic north-easterlies on the airport beach for a good mix of species, and charter boat Fiona Tee had some lovely cod and ling despite bitter easterlies. At the other end of the country, tuna skipper Tony Santry gives a rundown on what was a very tough season for him, as persistent winds kept him tied up for much of the season. In Cork Harbour, Sarah Lynch enjoyed a runaway win in the first round of Cobh SAC’s Ling Lines series. Sarah caught 164 fish for 2194 points, over twice as much as 2nd-placed Paul O’Callaghan. At Ballinoulart on the east coast, a standout display from Max Roche saw him win the fifth leg of the Leinster Shore League. Lastly, The Henrystackleshop.com Irish Cod Championships hosted by Sea Angling Ireland SAC will take place on Saturday, November 29th, in Youghal. For more details see Irish Cod Championships to be held on 29 November.

Salmon regs 2026

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has opened a public consultation on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and Conservation Measures for 2026. Details of the proposed regulations and information on how to make a submission are available here: Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Regs and Conservation Measures for the 2026 Season announced

And now the weather

As we go to press the settled weather of the last couple of days is coming to an end and we have small craft warnings on all coasts for Saturday and Status Yellow gale warnings on all coasts for Sunday. Apart from that, we’ll see wet conditions return on Saturday with patchy rain and drizzle slowly developing in the west and southwest. A milder day with highest temperatures of 7 to 11°C in light to moderate southwesterly winds. Heavy rains are likely overnight and Sunday will be a wet and rather windy day with rain continuing for most and fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds. It will be drier in Munster with showers and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10°C. Monday and Tuesday will be mostly dry and bright but the further outlook is for more unsettled, milder wet weather later in the week.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to reports@fisheriesireland.ie.

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