Season

Open for 2025

• Salmon season February 1 – September 30

The Corrib River or Galway Fishery starts at the defined mouth at Nimmos Pier, near the Claddagh, in Galway Bay and consists of the main river, the Galway City canals, the two outlet rivers from lough Corrib and a portion of Lough Corrib.

The main beat is the Weir beat, which comprises the short stretch from the Weir to the bridge at the cathedral, called Salmon Weir Bridge. There are a maximum of 6 rods allocated on this beat. This is one of the most prolific salmon fisheries anywhere, with an average annual catch of 7-800 fish for just a short 200 metre stretch of water. The gradient and current means that many fish hold in this stretch of water, and provides excellent fly conditions when 1 or 2 sluice gates are open.The water is generally of exceptional clarity, except in a flood, and in summertime there are often dozens of salmon to be seen swaying in the current from a vantage point on the bridge, attracting many tourists.

From the Salmon Weir Bridge downstream to the old salmon traps is called the New Beat. Most fish travel through this beat rather quickly, and the fast water makes fishing more difficult, but salmon can be taken on the fly, mainly in the lowest pool.

Upstream at the Office of Public Works compound, and downstream at the High Bank, the fishing is reserved for local residents.

From the university upstream as far as Lough Corrib fishing is allowed free of charge.

Spring salmon can be caught in the fishery at Galway City from the month of February and the best grilse fishing is from late May, throughout June and well into July. Salmon fishing continues throughout the season from the Weir at Galway City as far as Lough Corrib.

Rod Angling Fees

Main Beat

• Feb 1st – Feb 29th
  €35 Full day or €25 half day
• Mar 1st – Mar 31st
  €50 Full day or €40 half day
• Apr 1st – May 31st
  €65 Full day or €45 half day
• Jun1st – Jul 20th
  €125 (Fishing am/pm)
• Jul 21st – Aug 31st
  €65 Full day or €45 half day
• Sep 1st – Sep 30th
  €45 Full day or €35 half day

New Beat

• Feb 1st – Mar 31st
  €20
• Apr 1st – May 31st
  €25 Full day or €20 half day
• Jun 1st – Jul 20th
  €35 Full day or €25 half day
• Jul 21st – Aug 31st
  €30 Full day or €20 half day
• Sep 1st – Sep 30th
  €20

EVENING FISHING (FLY ONLY):

Evening fishing starts on April 1st until September 30th.

• April 1st to July 20th – €25 per rod.
• July 21st to September 30th – €20 per rod.

Between June 1st – July 20th inclusive fishing is from 8.30pm to 11.00pm.

All other times 7.00pm to 10.00pm. A bag limit of 1 fish per angler will apply to evening fishing.

JUVENILE EVENING FISHING

From I June, two juvenile anglers (16 and under) per evening can be accommodated, to encourage youth participation in angling.

• Youths must be supervised by an adult
• Must be in possession of a salmon licence
• Fishing in Jimmy’s Pool (weir pool) only
• Book by email to [email protected]
• €15 per rod (card payment only)

ADVANCE BOOKINGS:

Applications for rod bookings should be made before the start of the season on February 1st by mail, fax or e-mail to:

The Manager, Galway Fishery,
Nun’s Island, Galway.

Tel. +353-91-562388
E-mail: [email protected]

Fishing Times:

Normal fishing day is from 9.00am to 7.00 pm.

Half days are available from 9.00am to 2.00pm or from 2.00pm to 7.00 pm.

Between June 1st to July 14th (inclusive) there will be two angling sessions per day, i.e. from 6.00am to 1.00pm and from 1.30pm to 8.30pm.

Deposits/Full Fees:

Booking requests that are received are allocated rods subject to availability. If you receive an offer of angling, deposits/full fees must be paid within 10 days of the receipt of the offer. Otherwise it will be assumed that the offer is not being taken up and the rod(s) will be reallocated to another angler on the waiting list.  Please note:  Fees are non-refundable.

Catch-and-release is encouraged

FISHERY REGULATIONS

LICENCES:

Before an angler is permitted to fish a current State Salmon Angling Licence must be produced. Licences can be purchased from the Fishery Office.

FLY ONLY RULE

During low water conditions (at a level to be determined by the Fishery Manager) a fly only rule will apply on the Fishery.

POLAROIDS

Polaroid glasses are only permitted to be used by anglers fly-fishing on the fishery.

BAG LIMITS

There is a national bag limit of 10 fish per angler on rivers that are open for salmon angling. From the start of the season on February 1st to May 11th inclusive, a daily bag limit of 1 salmon per angler will apply, up to a maximum of 3 salmon during that period. From May 12th to August 31st a bag limit of 2 fish per day applies. During September a bag limit of 1 fish per day applies.

After the above bag limits or the quota has been reached, anglers may be permitted to fish catch & release using single barbless hooks, subject to certain restrictions depending on circumstances i.e. water temperature, height, etc. at the discretion of fishery staff.

Angling methods, bag limits, catch & release policy may be revised during the season at the discretion of local management.

All fish caught must be recorded, and tagged if retained, with details given to Fishery Staff.

It should be noted that regulations and byelaws may be subject to change.

FOUL-HOOKED FISH

All foul-hooked fish must be returned to the river, except in the case of badly damaged or exhausted fish that cannot be successfully revived. In such situations they must be handed up to Fishery staff. Anglers failing to comply with this regulation will be banned from the Fishery.

PROTOCOL ON THE RIVER

(a)Anglers should fish the river down step by step and when at the bridge cease fishing, go upriver and start again.
(b) Fly anglers wading from the east bank have right of way while fishing down the river.
(c) Anglers must alternate in the weir pool after one hour’s fishing.
N.B.: During periods of inclement weather it is advisable to contact the Fishery for information on water levels and conditions before travelling.

The Galway Fishery and IFI reserve the right to refuse access to the fishery.
The Board cannot vouch for the safe state of the fishery at any time due to changing weather and water conditions and the possible presence of hidden and unknown dangers. Anglers are warned to exercise the utmost care for their own safety and that of others using the fishery. This offer is issued on the strict understanding that the Boards duty to you is limited to that owed to “recreational users” under the Occupiers Liability Act 1995.