Cork Harbour

Sea Fishing

One of the world's largest natural harbours, Cork Harbour offers excellent sea angling for bass, flounder, cod, ray, and other species from shore and boat.

County
Cork
Province
Munster
Nearest Town
Cobh

Access Information

Extensive shore access. Charter boats from Cobh and Crosshaven.

Regulations

National Regulations That Apply

Licence: Varies
Permit: Varies

Methods: Only rod and line permitted. Maximum 2 rods at any time. No live fish as bait. No transfer of live roach between waters. Must not kill foul-hooked fish.

Additional: You may not fish for eels and any eels caught must be returned to the water. On waters designated closed or catch and release for salmon, you may not use worms as bait and may only use single or double barbless hooks.

Source: IFI

Licence: Yes
Permit: Usually
Season Opens: January 1 (some fisheries)
Season Closes: September 30

Season Notes: Opens January 1st on a handful of fisheries, remainder open on various dates in February, March, April and May. Season closes September 30th.

Bag Limit: Daily: 1 fish (Jan 1 - May 11), 3 fish (May 12 - Aug 31), 1 fish (Sep 1 - close). Maximum 10 salmon or sea trout (over 40cm) per year.

Size Limit: No size limit

Methods: On catch and release fisheries: no worms, single or double barbless hooks only, fish must be handled carefully and not removed from water. All salmon kept must be tagged and logged.

Additional: State Licence must be in possession when fishing. Logbook must be maintained for all fish caught and released. It is prohibited to sell rod caught salmon. Check annual list of open/closed/C&R fisheries before fishing.

Source: IFI

Licence: No
Permit: Frequently
Season Opens: February 15 - March 17 (varies)
Season Closes: September 15 - October 12 (varies)

Season Notes: Start of season varies by fishery, most open between February 15th and March 17th. Most close September 30th with some exceptions closing between September 15th and October 12th. Clubs may set their own dates.

Bag Limit: Varies by fishery. IFI advises sustainable fishing and catch & release.

Size Limit: Almost every river and lake has defined size limits that vary from water to water.

Methods: Some clubs restrict to fly fishing only. On waters closed or C&R for salmon, worms banned and single/double barbless hooks required.

Additional: Permit usually required on rivers (club-managed, typically EUR 10-20). Many loughs including Corrib, Mask, Conn, Cullin, Arrow, Allen, Ree and Derg are free with no permit required.

Source: IFI

Licence: Rarely
Permit: No

Season Notes: No open/closed season for most species (except salmon and sea trout at sea).

Bag Limit: Bag limits only for salmon, sea trout and sea bass.

Size Limit: Size limits only for salmon, sea trout and sea bass.

Methods: No trolling with gear capable of capturing bluefin tuna without special authorisation. Porbeagle shark, common skate, white skate, undulate ray, spurdog and angel shark are endangered and should be returned.

Additional: State Licence only required if fishing for sea trout or salmon at sea. Special authorisation required for bluefin tuna (catch & release only, awarded to limited charter operators).

Source: IFI

Licence: No
Permit: No

Season Notes: Currently no closed season but changes year to year. Check before fishing.

Bag Limit: Varies year to year. Some periods may be catch and release only. Regulations set by EU and subject to change at short notice.

Size Limit: Minimum size 42cm (when keeping is permitted).

Methods: No restrictions on method currently.

Additional: EU regulations change frequently. Always check latest information before fishing. No licence or permit required.

Source: IFI

Important: Regulations change regularly. Always check with Inland Fisheries Ireland or enquire locally before fishing.
Quick Facts
  • Type Sea Fishing
  • Fishing Free
  • Species 6
  • County Cork
Location

Lat: 51.8500, Lon: -8.2833

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