Licences and Permits

No licence is required to fish for brown trout. However in two particular regions -the Northern and Upper Shannon Fisheries regions - a Share Certificate is mandatory. They are available from tackle shops and other outlets.
The majority of waters are owned either privately or by the State. Many are leased to angling clubs or associations. A fishing permit issued by the owner or the lessee gives the possessor a right to fish for varying periods ranging from a day to a season. Some fisheries may not require permits.

The angler is legally required to be in possession of a licence when fishing for salmon or sea trout. They can be bought from a number of sources, including fishing tackle shops and fishery offices. The price and the duration of a licence will vary.

All Salmon and Sea Trout (over 40cms) retained must be tagged and recorded in the logbook. A licence does not confer a right to fish; this requires a fishing permit which must be obtained separately.

Anglers fishing for brown trout in the Northern and Upper Shannon Fisheries Regions are currently legally required to be in possession of a share certificate.

The majority of waters are owned either privately or by the State. A fishing permit issued by the owner gives the possessor a right to fish for varying periods ranging from a day to a season. Some fisheries may not require permits.

Licence Fees (2006)
" All Districts (i.e. all Regions) Annual: €64
" Juvenile (under the age of 18 years) All Districts Annual: €10
" One District, Annual: €30
" All districts, 21 Days: €24
" All districts, 1 Day: €17
" Special Local (for Annual Licence holders) €12
" Special Local (for non- Annual Licence holders) €48
" Foyle Area Extension €40

New salmon angling regulations 2006
" Angling bag limit of 10 fish per angler of salmon or sea trout (over 40 cm)
" 1 per day up until 31st May
" 3 per day until the end of August
" 1 per day from the 1st September(in Lismore, Cork, Kerry,
Ballinakill, Connemara, Bangor, Ballina, Letterkenny and Ballyshannon
Districts) subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish.
" Mandatory catch and release will operate in 8 fishery districts
in September (Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford,
Limerick, Galway and Sligo Districts).
" In those eight districts where mandatory catch and release will
operate in September there is a ban on the use of worms and anglers
must use single, barbless hooks.
" Anglers must have at least one tag in their possession in order
to remain fishing for salmon or sea trout (over 40 cm).
General salmon angling regulations
" 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 sell rod caught salmon or sea trout over 40cm between January 1st and October 31st

Conservation and Game Angling
In Ireland, as elsewhere on this planet, conservation is necessary to protect the variety of fish in our waters. Anglers are asked to keep this in mind while still making the most of the good sport on offer.
Trout and salmon fishing is fishing for sport, the enjoyment being in the challenge and not necessarily in a full bag. It is fundamental to the survival of our trout and salmon fisheries that they be managed in and used by anglers in a sustsatainable manner.
New angling regulations (2006) for salmon and seatrout over 40cm
" Angling bag limit of 10 fish per angler of salmon or sea trout (over 40 cm)
" 1 per day up until 31st May
" 3 per day until the end of August
" 1 per day from the 1st September(in Lismore, Cork, Kerry,
Ballinakill, Connemara, Bangor, Ballina, Letterkenny and Ballyshannon
Districts) subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish.
" Mandatory catch and release will operate in 8 fishery districts
in September (Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford,
Limerick, Galway and Sligo Districts).
" In those eight districts where mandatory catch and release will
operate in September there is a ban on the use of worms and anglers
must use single, barbless hooks.
" Anglers must have at least one tag in their possession in order
to remain fishing for salmon or sea trout (over 40 cm).

Anglers are, therefore, urged to limit the number of wild fish that they kill and return all others to the water carefully and safely. In doing so, they will be showing their appreciation for the privilege of enjoying this unique resource while respecting fellow anglers and giving thought to tomorrow.