Coarse angling tends be organised around 'centres' usually towns and villages, where experienced caterers specialise in looking after angling tourists. There is no state licence required for coarse angling. However it is mandatory to purchase a Share Certificate to fish for Pike and Coarse fish in the Upper Shannon Area, upstream of Banagher Bridge in Co Offaly. See rates

Bait is seldom a problem. There are tackle dealers in close proximity to or at each centre and in addition many guest houses who cater for angling tourists are very often bait stockists themselves. It would be advisable to contact your guest house accommodation to discuss your needs prior to your visit.

In the interest of the sport we return all our coarse fish alive. Due care should always be taken when handling, holding in keep nets and returning fish to the water. Pike are protected and we appeal to anglers to comply with our Fisheries laws and customs while enjoying the sport.

Seasons

There is no close season for coarse fishing in the Shannon Fisheries Region but naturally there are 'best' periods for the various species. Bream and Rudd feed mostly from April to October. Roach are at there best during the winter months but are available for much of the year. Pike fishing is excellent through out the year but at its best during the winter. Tench fishing is best in the months of May and June.

Best times to fish Good Very Good

Species

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

July

August

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Pike

Bream

Roach

Rudd/Bream hybrids

Roach/Bream hybrids

Tench

Rudd

Perch

Carp

Eel

About this Guide

This is the most comprehensive, up todate and informative coarse angling guide available for the Shannon Region.

There has been major development works carried out by  the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to extensively upgrade coarse angling venues around the region over recent years. These projects were funded by the EU and operated under TAM (Tourism Angling Measure). They involved creating new or upgrading existing access roads, carparks, fishing stands, sign posting, notice boards and facilities for physically disabled anglers at some centres. On this guide we divide the Shannon Region into three areas - Upper Shannon (from Lough Allen at the most northern point to Lanesboro, north of Lough Ree and includes Carrick on Shannon, Boyle, Strokestown, Tarmonbarry, Dromod/Mohill and Finae etc), Mid Shannon (from Lanesboro to Portumna, north of Lough Derg, including Portumna, Banagher, Shannonbridge, the River Suck and River Suck Valley, River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canals and Mullingar Lakes etc.) and the Lower Shannon ( from Portumna south including Limerick River Shannon, Lower Lough Derg and Co Clare Lakes). For each area we list all the recognised angling centres and the fisheries around each centre of which there are many.

At each centre you are introduced to the locality, where distances from the major towns and airports are indicated. This is useful for the visitor in estimating road journey times. You will also find detailed information for each fishery i.e. angling notes, species present, facilities, access and how to get there. In addition there is a thumbnail local area map for each centre which indicates the general fishery area being described and relative positions to the main Air and Ferry ports. Where access is through private land we provide you (where possible) with contacts to seek permission or get further advice. In addition, a list of useful contacts and local services are provided.

Coarse and Pike fishing is rated on this guide according to the quality of fishing you can expect under the fish species present, access and facilities (not an overall rating system as some fisheries are particularily renowned for certain species). While any rating system is subjective in its interpretation, we consider a number of important criteria in our assessment of each fishery. It must be stressed that such a rating system is only a guideline and does not purport to be an absolute classification system as there are too many other factors and variables which can affect and influence the angling potential of any fishery such as weather, water levels at a given time, angling tactics employed by individual, time of year fished and the ability of an individual angler to locate and hold fish etc. We feel the rating system is a fair and accurate reflection for each fishery based on the best available knowledge/ information and must be interpreted as such. We will review our ratings each year to reflect the most recent angling trends.