Some of the best fishing waters in Europe

Ireland has some of the best fishing waters in Europe, and with no closed season, fishing is a 365 day per year sport. Beginners are advised to hire the services of a local guide for the first few days on the water because they will know the best flies, tackle and lore. Similarly, on salmon and trout rivers, the services of a guide will ensure that the angler gets the most out of their visit.

Image: Fishing in Ireland

The country’s massive variety and quality of fishing has given Ireland an enviable reputation. Ireland stretches just 500 kilometers in length and 300 kilometers in width, but with a ratio of 1:35 (water to land), it seems everywhere you turn, there’s an ideal location to be fished.

Recommended places to fish

The Foyle System - this runs through counties Tyrone, Londonderry and Donegal, is one of the premier salmon fisheries in Europe. Wild brown trout are plentiful in Ireland’s rivers and loughs; and indigenous species can be found in Lough Melvin, County Leitrim, and Lough Neagh, County Antrim.

Lough Corrib - Connemara, County Galway - famous for trout and salmon fishing people come from around the world to fish their favorite rivers and lakes in Connemara.

Donegal Bay - Donegal sea fishing offers fishermen the opportunity to catch wrasse, pollock, cod, pouting, ling, conger, skate, ray, monk and giant Bluefin tuna.

Strabane - County Tyrone - here you can explore the four rivers the River Finn, the River Mourne, the River Faughan and the River Roe with the opportunity to catch salmon, grilse, brown trout and sea trout.

Waterville - County Kerry - At the foot of the Coomcallee Mountains in southwest Ireland the area offers excellent fly-fishing and the opportunity to fish for salmon, sea trout and brown trout in numerous rivers and lakes in the area, as well as bass around the Ring of Kerry.

Delphi - County Mayo - As well as being known for its spectacular scenery and light this part of Ireland is also known as for its prime salmon-fishing waters.

Lough Muckno - Castleblayney, County Monaghan - Surrounded by a number of smaller lakes , including the Gas Lake, Smith’s Lake, Malone’s Lake and Killygola, there is a great variety of angling in the area. Muckno holds huge stocks of fish including bream, rudd, roach, hybrids, tench, perch and pike.

River Rye - County Kildare - Just minutes outside Dublin city this place is a secret beauty spot with a plentiful stock of trout and pike.

Screebe House - Conemarra, County Galway - This is a Victorian fishing lodge located on the Atlantic coast of Conemarra. Ireland. The local waters belong to the estate and are famous for their stocks of salmon, brown and sea trout. The estate consists of 40,000 acres of sporting rights.

Lagan River - County Antrim - Located along a stretch upstream from Stranmillis weir, at the Belfast Boat Club, to Shaw's Bridge there is fishing from towpath only on west side of river. Fishing in the area includes gudgeon, perch, pike, roach, rudd and some bream.

Rosses Point - County Sligo - This picturesque area offers excellent shore fishing offering deep water access alongside muddy and sand beaches. Fish in the area include pollack, coalfish and mackerel in season will fall to spinners and feathers. At slack water off the deeper marks, you can catch codling in the winter, with Dogfish, Ray and the almost obligatory summer Tope available over sandy marks.