2026 salmon regulations published

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April 10, 2026

The Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, has signed the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, setting out the rivers on which salmon and sea trout angling may take place for the 2026 season. This legislation came into effect on Friday, 3 April 2026.

Announcing the Regulations, Minister Dooley said:

“In line with the scientific advice, 72 rivers will be available for salmon and sea trout fishing in 2026 – 32 of these rivers will be open, with a further 40 open to ‘catch and release’ angling. The Regulations have also been informed by two public consultations, ensuring that stakeholder views were carefully considered alongside the scientific advice.”

A total of 72 rivers will be open for salmon angling in 2026, in line with scientific advice provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS), on the status of individual stocks. The TEGOS Report for 2026 shows that wild Atlantic salmon stocks continue to experience a significant and sustained decline, with many rivers below their conservation limits. The development of the regulations was also informed by two public consultations.

For more information, see the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment website.

Mick does Italian job on midlands pike

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 10, 2026

Mick ‘the Fish’ Flanagan of Midland Angling has had some old friends return this week for more great fishing in the midlands. We’ll let him tell the tale:

Great to spend a day with my good friend Stefano Belisario and his pal Antonio Candidi of Abruzzo, Italy.

I have been fishing with Stefano for years, and yesterday with J.J. they struggled on the pike scene on a fantastic lake that Stefano caught many doubles on the fly during previous trips. Today was a different kettle of fish, and the pike were locked on to Stefanos’s colourful flies.

Antonio was spinning lures and actually got the first fish, but we put a pike fly on his spinning rod, and as they say, the rest is history! Antonio had the best pike at 102cm.

Lunch was priceless, and Stefano brought me over his famous Italian homemade sausages, pigs he breeds and olive oil he makes at home in Abruzzo. We had what he calls normal sausages, liver sausages & crazy sausages; Sylvia better mind herself when the crazy sausages kick in!

Lunchtime in paradise

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Marty will be back tomorrow for a few days after trout & he’ll sample a few of Stefano’s Abruzzo sausages in the coming days. Stefano and Antonio will be back at the pike with Damian Grifferty – let’s hope the weather is not too bad!

Some of the action

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Earlier in the week I wanted to fish Derravaragh, but it got choppy and I headed for the River Inny. I had planned to troll & spin small lures for trout, but that was knocked on the head. I just had one small paddle tail lure in the box & a few 2-3 inch hard baits and they did the business on the Inny. The perch-coloured paddle tail accounted for 4 pike, one nice double.

Paddle tail does the business

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Midland Angling

Address Mullingar Westmeath Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2797270 Mobile Phone: +353 (0)44 9348969 Email: [email protected] Website: midlandangling.com

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Pike fishing around Mullingar Angling Centre

Annaghierin tough going for match men

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 9, 2026

The CM Lakelands Feeder Fishing Club held a match last Sunday on a breezy Annaghierin Lough in Cavan, with 11 anglers competing.

Fishing was tough, but there were some decent skimmers caught in a number of the pegs.

1st overall was Niall McKitterick with a weight of 4.140 kg; Niall caught roach first, and then he caught 10 skimmers later into the match.
2nd was Adrian Van Der Heever with a weight of 3.260 kg; Adrian caught nearly all skimmers at distance.
3rd overall was Bruce Zhou with a weight of 2.150 kg; Bruce had a mixed bag of roach and skimmers.

Section winners were:

Darren Fairhurst 1.890 kg
Philip Reynolds 1.830 kg

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Shercock coarse angling centre

Munster Fly Fishing Fair 10 & 11 April

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 9, 2026

The Munster Fly Fishing Fair will be held this weekend, April 10 & 11, at Clonanav Fly Fishing in Co. Waterford. Fly anglers are invited to come and see fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations from world-renowned anglers and fly tyers including Darryl Mooney, Jim Curry, Jim Fearn, Martyn Robinson, Steve Peterson, Marc Petitjean, Shane Hickey, Kevin Sheridan, John Maduro and more!

This is an event not to be missed!

Fly Tying Demonstrations
Casting Demonstrations
Top Brands on Display
Great Atmosphere all weekend!

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Some of the amazing ranges of fly tying also available on the weekend will include: Whiting, Veniard, Metz, Partridge, Semperfli, Gulff, Ahrex, Fulling Mill, C&F Design, Regal, Anvil, Stonfo, Loon, Hends, Fulling Mill, Kamasan, Hanak, Dr Slick, Swiss CDC, Polish Quills, Future Fly and lots more!

Fly Fishing gear will be on display from the following brands: Simms, Guideline, Hardy, Greys, Sage, Patagonia, RIO, Airflo, Scientific Anglers, Yeti, Umpqua, Fishpond, Vision, Cortland, Lamson, Vosseler and lots more!

MUNSTER FLY FISHING FAIR 10 & 11 April

Friday 10am to 6 pm
Saturday – 10am to 4pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS, CLICK THIS LINK: MUNSTER FLY FISHING FAIR

Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal match report

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 9, 2026

667688470_1273304584994297_6637581460428912505_n — Colin Reilly - longest fish

This report courtesy of the IFSA Connaught Council:

On the 29th of March, Killala B&S held the Connaught Open Gold Medal Shore at Lacken Strand, Co Sligo – a change of location from the original venue due to weather and beach conditions. Eighteen anglers travelled from around the country for the day. They had a 5-hour match, with just over an hour on the drop and the rest on the incoming tide.

As expected, anglers caught only a few fish before the low water mark, one in each of the two zones. As the tides changed, fishing got quiet until the third hour. Turbot and flounder began to show up evenly across the beach, with Billy Gilvarry on a center peg and Fionn O’Higgins and Sammy Sterling both on the end pegs. Tensions were high with all knowing that there was only a fish was needed to be in the lead and with the added bonus of the optional longest pool at stake.

The latecomer to the match, Eoin Gilvarry, got in the mix with a decent flounder. The sight of a fish being landed provided the anglers with the much-needed motivation to resume their fishing, with only two hours remaining. Colin Reilly from Lough Foyle Sea Angling Club landed a fine turbot, which would put him in front, although he had a lead of only a few centimetres. Fionn O’Higgins from Galway Bay complimented his earlier turbot with another fish, and on the very next cast, he landed a decent flounder.

Sammy Sterling from White Wave Sea Angling Club fought back with a second fish to put him in the lead of Zone A, and local Shane Gilvarry also made his day worthwhile with a turbot.

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Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal final results!

1st overall – Fionn O’Higgins (Galway Bay S.A.C.) – 3 fish (70 points)

1st Zone A – Sammy Sterling (White Wave S.A.C.) – 2 fish (50 points)

2nd Zone A – Billy Gilvarry (Killala Boat & Shore) – 1 fish (27 points)

1st Zone B – Colin Reilly (Lough Foyle S.A.C.) – 1 fish (31 points)

2nd Zone B – Shane Gilvarry (Corrane S.A.C) – 1 fish (25 points)

Longest fish – Colin Reilly (Lough Foyle S.A.C.) – 26 cm Turbot

Connaught Council would like to thank all at Killala boat & shore angling club for organising this years Open Shore Gold Medal, a great job was done. We also thank all anglers who travelled from near and far who took part in this years competition.

Sea Fishing in Killala

Super 112cm River Pike for Artur Pike Seeker

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 9, 2026

Pike specialist Artur ‘Pike Seeker’ was in touch to tell us of a super river pike he caught recently:

Last weekend I went fishing. I got up early and headed to the Inny River. Now is a good time to target a big pike, and that was my plan. I started casting near the bank because there was nothing happening in the open water. As it turned out, I didn’t have to wait long for a bite. The fish hit my lure with tremendous force. The fight was epic. The fish was incredibly strong and fought hard. Fortunately, I managed to win the fight, and the beautiful 112-centimetre female landed in the landing net. An incredible day.

Go Fishing…

Pike fishing on the River Shannon, Lakes and Tributaries

All quiet on the South Western Front

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 9, 2026

Vincent Appleby reports on the latest difficult week in South West Kerry:

1/4/2026. Just two Currane boats out, in the words of one gillie, no good, and just for the record I’ve left out the effing and blinding. On that note, we head for the Currane weather chart: wind moderate, fresh SW veered WNW, followed by good sunshine and clouds. Yesterday’s weather rainfall 0.4mm, maximum air temperature 12.1⁰C, amount of sunshine none.

2/4/2026. The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments this day, so on that note we head for the Currane anglers weather chart. The wind was moderate to fresh from the southwest, veering to south-southwest, accompanied by rain on and off throughout the day. Yesterday’s weather recorded 0.5mm of rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 12.1°C, and 6 hours and 8 minutes of sunshine.

3/4/2026. Happy Easter to all the Currane anglers and the Good people of Waterville, Caherdaniel and the Island of Ireland.

So, picture this Good Friday: just two hardy souls out on the water, and let me tell you, the fish were having none of it. You could practically hear them laughing from the lake bed. Wind danced from West to WNW, clouds gave us a good cover story, and we got a sprinkle of showers here and there.

And yesterday? Well, the sky drizzled 15 mm of rain on us, the max temp gave us a polite 11.6°C, and sunshine? We got a whole 60 seconds of it—just enough time to blink.

4/4/2026. All Salmon and Sea Trout stations were closed for good reason; it was wild out there. If a Currane boat did venture out, no comment. On that note, we head for the Currane anglers weather chart: Wind: South 42 km/h, gusts 64 km/h, 1pm: 54 km/h ,4pm: 72 km/h. Followed by heavy showers throughout the day, then sunny spells late this afternoon. Yesterday’s weather: Amount of rainfall: 2.0 mm. Maximum air temperature: 12.1°C. Amount of sunshine: 5 hours and 1 minute

5/4/2026. Six Currane boats were out on this Easter Sunday, all working on their skills. By all accounts, their lines stayed slack throughout the day. I was talking to a UK Currane angler and mentioned it would be nice to see a few more Currane boats out there. He politely opined, “Vincent, I don’t think it would make a scrap of difference.” After today’s lack of action, I have to concur.

Currane Weather Report. Wind: Moderate to gentle Sky: A good mixture of cloud and sunshine. Yesterday’s rainfall: 11.5mm Maximum air temperature: 12°C

Amount of sunshine: 1 hour and 9 minutes

For more information on the daily conditions on Lough Currane, all the craic and news be sure to check out Vincent Appleby’s Salmon and Sea Trout blog for regular reports with back dates, petitions, public consultation notices, readers letters and videos and more of what’s happening in Waterville and beyond

Sea Trout – Catch and release only

Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.

The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-

the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
the waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

Go fishing….

Guides and boat hire

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Email: [email protected] Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/

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Fly Fishing on Lough Currane

Address Termons Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353(0) 87 922 8659 Phone: +353(0) 66 9474146 Email: [email protected] Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com

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Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Email: [email protected] Website: lakelandshouse.com

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Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Email: [email protected] Website: oshealoughcurrane.com

More information

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Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie

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Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Email: [email protected] Website: salmonandseatrout.com

More information

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Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800 Email: [email protected]

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Makeshift lure makes the difference on Blessington

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 8, 2026

Artem Novikov was in touch with us about a recent trip to fish for pike on Blessington Lakes. Artem likes to make his own lures and caught a fine pike on one of his own creations. If you’d like to try and make your own lures for pike fishing, Artem will show you how on his Makeshift Lures YouTube channel! We’ll let Artem tell his story:

I was out fishing in the middle of the week before Storm Dave came. I went to Blessington Lakes, where the river flows into it. I was using a big bucktail spinner that I made, with a copper blade and an articulated tail at the back, dressed with feathers, bucktail, and flash.

I managed to catch one pike that measured 82 cm. I am estimating the fish to be 3 to 4 kg or 8 to 9 lbs. That fish chased the spinner a couple of times at the mouth of the river. And then, by staying persistent, I tempted the pike to bite toward the evening, when it was getting dark. Fishing was surprisingly hard, as that pike was the only fish to show interest in my lure. Maybe the upcoming storm had something to do with it!

After a short fight and few photos and measurements, the fish went back to the water. I’ve made a video showing how to make and fish with that spinner, in case it’s of any interest. It is out on the Makeshift Lures YouTube channel.

Mulroy monster for citizen scientist Darragh (12)

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 8, 2026

This great report came from Simon McLarnon on a recent trip out of Mulroy Bay:

It is amazing what lives in the waters around this island!

Twelve-year-old Darragh Wilson was fishing with his dad and brother on their boat, the Miss Daisy, for thornback rays off Kerrykeel, Mulroy Bay, when he hooked an impressive fish.

He was using a long flowing trace baited with mackerel for thornback rays, which we were hoping to tag as part of the Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme run by Inland Fisheries Ireland. He is involved in this programme as a ‘citizen scientist’ along with his dad, Chris, and brother, Ronan. He thought he had finally hooked a fine thornback on his light spinning gear, as they have proved elusive of late, and the fish fought hard before coming to the surface…which was when he realised it was not a thornback at all! Something even rarer and more impressive had come up from the depths of Mulroy Bay – a huge lobster!

This royal blue crustacean was far larger than any that dad Chris, a lifelong fisherman and diver, had ever encountered and would have been a shame to put into the pot! The lobster measured 72cm long and weighed in at 8 lb 6 oz. This impressive creature was around 80 years of age and was returned to roam around the seabed once more and hopefully preserve its species for future generations…and possibly grow larger for a future capture!

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The largest lobsters ever caught in Ireland were around 11 lbs, with “Big Dessie”, an approx. 5 kg / 11 lb, 70-year-old+ lobster caught off Portrush, County Antrim, in 2011 that now lives in Galway Atlantaquaria. Another massive lobster, weighing 5.3kg (11.6lbs), was caught in 2010 off the Blasket Islands. Preserving such large lobsters is vital to maintain their population.

While Darragh didn’t manage to land the thornback ray he was hoping to tag on this trip, he did manage to get one or two last year, as the photo below can prove!

Charter Boats in Co. Donegal

UK and local anglers enjoy their stay at Melview Fishing Lodge.

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 8, 2026

Angling Guide Kevin Lyons reports on some pike fishing in the Longford area:

Regular Pike angler Steve from the UK was over once again for one of his annual Pike fishing trips to stay with host and guide Kevin of Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford, despite some of the bad weather conditions, Steve still managed to catch a few nice Pike to around 15lb using dead baits.

Regulars John, Sean and Bill from Dublin were here for their second Pike visit of 2026, some days were better than others due to some extreme weather conditions and high water levels which have since returned back to normal levels pretty much. They were able to tempt a number of Pike to 14lb but none of the big girls they normally have during their stays here, they always enjoy being out on the water regardless of the conditions and we look forward to seeing them again in the future.