Fishing Trips in Ireland
From guided shore excursions to deep-sea charters off the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland offers world-class fishing trips for every skill level and budget. Here is everything you need to plan an unforgettable angling adventure.
Ireland has long been one of Europe's premier fishing destinations, attracting anglers from around the world with its clean waters, abundant fish stocks, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you are a seasoned angler looking for trophy blue shark off the Kerry coast or a family wanting a fun mackerel fishing trip from a harbour pier, Ireland has a fishing trip to suit you.
With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline, 12,000 kilometres of fish-holding rivers, and more than 4,000 lakes, the options are vast. This guide breaks down the different types of fishing trips available, the best destinations by region, what you can expect to pay, and how to plan the perfect trip.
Types of Fishing Trips
Fishing trips in Ireland broadly fall into four categories, each offering a distinct experience. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right trip for your goals, skill level, and budget.
Shore Guided Fishing
Shore guided trips are ideal for beginners and visiting anglers unfamiliar with local marks. A local guide will take you to productive rock marks, beaches, or piers and provide all the tackle and instruction you need. These trips target species like bass, pollack, wrasse, mackerel, and flatfish depending on the season and location.
Duration: Typically 4 to 6 hours • Group size: 1 to 4 anglers • Best for: Beginners, families, visiting anglers
Inshore Boat Fishing
Inshore trips take place in sheltered bays, estuaries, and along the coast within a few miles of shore. You will fish from a well-equipped angling boat with a licensed skipper. Target species include cod, pollack, ling, ray, and coalfish. These trips suit anglers of all levels and are less weather-dependent than offshore trips.
Duration: Half-day (4-5 hours) or full-day (7-8 hours) • Group size: Up to 8-12 anglers • Best for: All levels, groups
Deep Sea Charter Fishing
Deep sea charters venture offshore to wrecks, reefs, and open water, targeting the biggest species Ireland has to offer. Wreck fishing for ling, conger eel, and cod is hugely popular, while shark fishing for blue shark, porbeagle, and tope provides an adrenaline-fuelled experience. Ireland's deep-sea charter fleet operates mainly from the west and south coasts.
Duration: Full-day (8-10 hours) • Group size: 6 to 12 anglers • Best for: Experienced anglers, groups, corporate events
Guided Fly Fishing
Ireland's rivers and loughs offer some of Europe's finest fly fishing. Professional ghillies and guides provide access to prime beats on famous salmon rivers like the Moy, Boyne, and Drowes, as well as drift boat fishing on Lough Corrib and Lough Mask for wild brown trout. Guided fly fishing trips include tuition, tackle, and local knowledge of hatches and productive lies.
Duration: Half-day or full-day • Group size: 1 to 3 anglers • Best for: Fly anglers, trout and salmon seekers
Top Destinations by Region
Ireland's fishing is spread across the entire island, but certain regions stand out for particular types of fishing. Here are the best destinations grouped by region.
The West Coast
Dingle is one of Ireland's premier sea angling ports. Charter boats operate year-round from Dingle Marina, with excellent deep-sea fishing for blue shark (June to October), wreck fishing for ling and pollack, and inshore fishing for bass and ray. The Dingle Peninsula also offers spectacular shore fishing from rocky headlands.
Key species: Blue shark, pollack, ling, bass, ray • Season: April to October (best June-September)
Clew Bay, with its 365 islands, offers sheltered inshore fishing with stunning scenery. Westport is also the gateway to the River Moy at Ballina, Ireland's most productive salmon river with over 6,000 salmon landed annually. The area provides both sea and freshwater fishing opportunities within a short drive.
Key species: Salmon, sea trout, pollack, cod, mackerel • Season: Year-round (salmon Feb-September)
Killybegs is Ireland's largest fishing port and offers superb deep-sea angling. The deep waters off the Donegal coast produce impressive catches of blue shark, tope, and porbeagle shark. The area also has excellent shore fishing along the dramatic coastline and access to the River Drowes, famous for producing the first salmon of the year.
Key species: Blue shark, tope, porbeagle, cod, pollack • Season: May to October
The South Coast
Kinsale has a long tradition as a sea angling centre, hosting major competitions and attracting visiting anglers from across Europe. The Old Head of Kinsale provides access to deep water close to shore, making it ideal for wreck and reef fishing. Blue shark fishing here is world-class, and the sheltered harbour offers excellent inshore options.
Key species: Blue shark, bass, pollack, cod, ling • Season: March to November
Cork Harbour is one of the world's largest natural harbours and provides year-round fishing. The sheltered waters are ideal for family-friendly inshore trips, while deeper water beyond the harbour mouth offers excellent wreck and reef fishing. Shore anglers can target bass and flatfish from numerous marks around the harbour.
Key species: Cod, whiting, bass, ray, flatfish • Season: Year-round
The North and Midlands
Lough Erne is widely regarded as the coarse fishing capital of Ireland. This vast lake system offers exceptional fishing for roach, bream, pike, and perch. Guided boat trips are available, and the area hosts numerous international coarse fishing competitions throughout the year. Accommodation and tackle hire are widely available.
Key species: Roach, bream, pike, perch • Season: Year-round (best March-October)
Ireland's largest lake at over 44,000 acres, Lough Corrib is legendary for its wild brown trout fishing, particularly during the famous Mayfly hatch from April to July. Guided drift boat trips with experienced ghillies are the traditional way to fish here. Pike fishing is also excellent, with specimens over 20 lbs regularly caught. Salmon fishing is available on the Corrib river system.
Key species: Wild brown trout, pike, salmon • Season: February to October (Mayfly: April-July)
What to Expect: Costs and Inclusions
Fishing trip costs in Ireland vary depending on the type of trip, duration, group size, and location. Here is a general guide to help you budget for your angling adventure.
| Trip Type | Half-Day | Full-Day | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shore Guided | €100 - €200 | €180 - €350 | Guide, tackle, bait, tuition |
| Inshore Boat | €250 - €400 | €450 - €700 | Boat, skipper, tackle, bait, safety gear |
| Deep Sea Charter | €400 - €600 | €900 - €1,400 | Boat, skipper, tackle, bait, licence (usually) |
| Guided Fly Fishing | €150 - €250 | €250 - €450 | Guide/ghillie, boat (if lake), tackle available, tuition |
What's Typically Included
- Boat and skipper with local knowledge and all safety equipment
- Rods, reels, and tackle suitable for the target species
- Bait (fresh or frozen, or lures as appropriate)
- Licence for salmon and sea trout trips (confirm with your skipper)
- Tuition on techniques, bait presentation, and species identification
What to Bring
- Waterproof jacket and warm layers (Irish weather is changeable)
- Non-slip footwear (deck shoes or wellies for boat trips)
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (even on overcast days)
- Camera or phone for photos of your catch
- Motion sickness tablets if susceptible (for offshore trips)
- Food and drinks (some charters provide refreshments, confirm when booking)
Species You'll Encounter
Ireland's waters hold an incredible diversity of fish species. Depending on the type of trip you choose, here are some of the species you are most likely to encounter. Browse our full species encyclopedia for the complete list of 137+ species found in Irish waters.
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Planning Your Trip
Best Times to Visit
Ireland offers fishing year-round, but the best time depends on what you want to catch and the type of trip you prefer.
Spring (March - May)
The salmon season opens on many rivers. Brown trout fishing improves as water temperatures rise. Shore fishing picks up with bass appearing along southern and western coasts. Early season boat trips target cod and pollack on offshore wrecks.
Salmon, trout, bass, codSummer (June - August)
Peak season for most fishing trips. Blue shark arrive off the south and west coasts. The Mayfly hatch continues on western lakes. Mackerel shoals provide exciting light-tackle sport from boats and shore. Longest daylight hours mean more fishing time.
Blue shark, mackerel, trout, salmonAutumn (September - November)
Excellent shore fishing as bass feed heavily before winter. Late-run salmon on many rivers. Cod move inshore as water temperatures drop. Tope fishing remains productive. Many consider autumn the best all-round fishing season in Ireland.
Bass, salmon, cod, topeWinter (December - February)
Quieter season but still productive for pike fishing on inland lakes and shore fishing for cod and whiting. Fewer charter boats operate but some run winter specials. Coarse fishing for roach and bream remains good year-round.
Pike, cod, whiting, roachGear and Equipment
Most guided trips and charters provide all the tackle you need, but if you prefer to bring your own, here are some recommendations:
- Shore fishing: 12-foot beachcaster or 10-foot spinning rod, fixed spool reel, 15-20 lb line
- Boat fishing: 30 lb class boat rod, multiplier reel, braided line (provided on most charters)
- Fly fishing: 9-10 foot rod rated 6-8 weight for trout, 9-10 weight for salmon
- Coarse fishing: 12-13 foot float rod or leger rod, appropriate tackle for target species
Accommodation Tips
Ireland's fishing destinations are well served by accommodation ranging from budget hostels to luxury lodges. Many B&Bs and guesthouses cater specifically to anglers and offer early breakfasts, drying rooms, rod storage, and packed lunches. Booking accommodation close to your fishing location saves travel time and allows you to be on the water at first light.
Popular angling accommodation hubs include Ballina (River Moy salmon), Oughterard (Lough Corrib), Waterville (Kerry lakes and sea fishing), Kinsale (south coast sea fishing), and Belturbet (coarse fishing on the Erne system).
Licences and Regulations
Understanding Ireland's fishing regulations is essential before booking your trip. The good news is that most types of fishing in Ireland require no licence at all.
No Licence Required
- Sea fishing (all species from shore or boat)
- Coarse fishing (roach, bream, rudd, tench, perch)
- Pike fishing
- Brown trout fishing (local permits may apply)
State Licence Required
- Salmon fishing (annual, 21-day, or 1-day licence options)
- Sea trout fishing (same licence as salmon)
- A logbook must be carried while fishing for these species
- Gill tags are required for any salmon retained
Most charter skippers and guides will arrange any necessary licences as part of your trip, but always confirm when booking. For detailed regulations by species and method, visit our regulations guide.
Competitions and Events
Ireland has a vibrant competitive angling scene, and many fishing trips coincide with organised competitions that visitors can enter. These events are a fantastic way to meet local anglers, test your skills against others, and potentially win prizes.
Major Sea Angling Festivals
Sea angling festivals are held throughout the summer and autumn at ports around the coast. These typically run over 2 to 4 days and include shore and boat fishing categories. Entry fees are modest and prizes can be substantial. Popular festivals are held in Dingle, Kinsale, Clifden, Killybegs, and Cobh.
Open Competitions
Many angling clubs and federations host open competitions that visiting anglers can enter. These range from local club matches to national championships run by the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA). Browse upcoming events on our competitions page.
The 137 Species Roll
For the adventurous angler, the Angling Ireland Species Roll challenges you to catch and log as many of Ireland's 137+ fish species as possible. It is a brilliant way to explore different types of fishing and discover new species during your trip. Start your species checklist today.
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