River Liffey

River

The River Liffey flows 125km from the Wicklow Mountains through Dublin city to Dublin Bay. It holds salmon, brown trout, and sea trout with varied fishing stretches from mountain streams to urban waters.

County
Dublin/Kildare/Wicklow
Province
Leinster
Nearest Town
Dublin
IFI District
Eastern

Access Information

Multiple access points along its length. Urban stretches easily accessible. Some stretches require club permits.

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 - October 12

Season Notes: Opens January 1st on some fisheries, remainder open February-May. Most close September 30th, some remain open until October 12th.

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

Size Limit: Varies by fishery. Sea trout over 40cm must be tagged like salmon.

Methods: On catch and release fisheries: no worms, barbless hooks only. Sea trout over 40cm treated same as salmon for tagging and logging.

Additional: No killing of sea trout in: Galway/Connemara/Ballinakill Districts, Kerry District (Waterville area). State Licence required. All sea trout over 40cm kept must be tagged and logged.

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: No
Permit: Rarely

Season Notes: No closed season. Fish year round.

Bag Limit: 4 coarse fish per day. Must be 25cm fork length or under.

Size Limit: Maximum size 25cm fork length.

Methods: No live fish as bait. No fishing for eels (return all eels). No transfer of live roach between waters. No selling of coarse fish.

Additional: Most coarse angling in Ireland is free. Permits mainly required in Midland Fisheries Area and on ESB fisheries. Additional rules may apply on waters where salmon/trout fishing also takes place.

Source: IFI

Important: Regulations change regularly. Always check with Inland Fisheries Ireland or enquire locally before fishing.
Quick Facts
  • Type River
  • Fishing Permit Required
  • Species 5
  • County Dublin/Kildare/Wicklow
Location

Lat: 53.3498, Lon: -6.2603

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