Fishery: River Deel & Lakes, Co Limerick

Open Season: Salmon - February 1st - September 30th;  Trout - February 15th to September 30th

Species: Wild brown trout throughout, occasional sea trout and very occasional salmon on lower stretches

Angling Methods: All legitimate methods. Salmon Fishing please observe Bye Laws

Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No 786, 2002

A bag limit of 1 salmon or 1 Sea Trout per angler per day from January 1st to 31st May, and a bag limit of 3 fish (being either salmon or sea trout) per angler per day from 1st June to the end of the fishing season subject to a total allowable catch of 20 fish (being either salmon or sea trout or any combination of both fish) per year with effect from January 1st, 2003.  (Bye Law No 781 is revoked )

Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No 797, 2004

This Bye-law provides for a bag limit of 1 fish being either a salmon or sea trout per angler per day from 1 September 2004 to 31 December 2004 and continues the imposition of a bag limit of 1 fish per angler per day from 1 January to 31 May, and 3 fish from 1 June to the end of the fishing season, subject to a total allowable catch of 20 fish per year.  CLICK HERE to download full Bye-Law in Word

Wild Carcass Tagging and Logbook Scheme

Anglers must be in compliance with the wild salmon carcass and log book scheme as introduced by the Dept of the Marine & Natural Resources on January 1st 2001. There are a series of leaflets for anglers on tagging their catch and recording relevant details in their logbooks. In brief,  all salmon rod licence holders shall affix a tag to 

• all salmon

• sea trout over 40 cms they catch and retain

These tags will identify salmon and sea trout (over 40cms), which have been caught legally, and will therefore allow for an enumeration of the catch.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANGLING LEGISLATION CLICK HERE

Angling Clubs: There are three angling clubs on the River Deel i.e. Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Askeaton. Any angler who is a member of any one of these clubs automatically qualifies for all three which were heretofore separately controlled waters. There are two lakes in the catchment which require permission - A rate applies - see contact list right for contact details

• Newcastle West Association: contact Mr Michael Dee, Westend Service Station, Killarney Road, Co Limerick Tel: 069 62318 OR Mr Mike Sheehy, Bridge St, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick. Tel: 069 62620/61291

• Askeaton/Deel Anglers: contact Joseph Mc Carthy PC, 8 Mussel Lane, Askeaton, Co Limerick Tel: 061 398196

• River Deel  Mr Joe Hurley, Chairman and waterkeeper at Tel Outside Ireland +353 69 61273  Inside Ireland 069 61273

• Bleach Lough contact Pat Heavenor, Kildimo, Co Limerick Tel Outside Ireland +353 61 393147 Inside Ireland 061 393147 - large pike, rainbow and brown trout average 1.5 to 4lbs Daily tickets applies - most recent rates are 2004

Salmon Fishing Licence: A Salmon licence is required to fish for salmon. SEE SALMON ANGLING FEES and can be purchased at your local tackle store/agent or you can BUY YOUR SALMON LICENCE ONLINE CLICK HERE. If one wishes to fish any Club waters for trout please contact the local clubs for details of applicable fees. 

The Fishery: The River Deel rises near Dromina in North Cork and flows north for about 60+ kms to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton.

The Deel was once a good salmon and grilse fishery but now is mainly fished for brown trout averaging close from 1lb to 2lb+ with much larger fish taken every year. Salmon-fry have been introduced in the past 10 years in an attempt to restore the salmon stocks - 200,000 fry per annum. The river has recovered well from major drainage works which were undertaken in 1963. It is a wild fishery and relatively under fished in the upper reaches around Milford and down to Belville bridge, where good fishing can be experienced for wild brown-trout,  for the more adventurous angler. The river  then flows on to Castlemahon and nearby Newcastle West flowing parallel to the main Limerick-Killarney Road, to reach Rathkeale. The river around Rathkeale is somewhat larger and sometimes sluggish and muddy in these stretches,  but can offer good fly fishing possibilities both by day and by night. Not far away near Kildimo is another stocked (brown& rainbow) lake called Bleach Loch. Again further information can be obtained from the local angling club.

Having left Rathkeale the river Deel now crosses the new Killarney-Limerick road and heads for its confluence and Estuary at Askeaton. In between it is traversed by Kilcoole bridge and Newbridge. You can get good fishing for brown trout wieghing up to about  2lbs and larger. This is good spinning and fly water.

These are good access points for fishing at the road bridges. Fishing can be very good particularly in the balmy summer evenings and on into the early night hours. Deel trout are not particularly choosy and a well presented dry-fly usually wins a rise. The best time to fish is from mid May to mid June but fishes well at other times during the summer months. The Blue Winged Olive and a range of river Olives and quills work well through out the summer months during daytime hours. Late evening and night flies include Black Pennell, Black and Silver, and a range of sedges.  Fly life is consistent with typical limestone waters. It would be useful to get a book on Irish trout flies for limestone waters.

Some Sea-trout fishing is available and this is generally confined to the lower stretches of the river. Sea-trout do not run the upper reaches probably due to the high alkalinity of the water higher up the catchment.

Please Observe Our Country Code and Fisheries Laws.

Anglers are requested to always observe our country code

• Seek permission from landowners before crossing private lands or property

• Do not park cars in fields except where permission is granted and it is safe to do so.

• Leave no litter

• Keep our countryside clean

Normal access is over footbridges and stiles or where public access is provided.

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Regional  Map
Circle indicates relative location

BROWSE & BOOK YOUR LOCAL SERVICES HERE DIRECTLY FROM THE PROVIDER

LISTED ACCOMMODATION

We have presently no accommodation listings for the local area - contact Celtic Angling Services below.

LISTED ANGLING SERVICES

• Celtic Angling Services/Guides

• Ryan Bros, Abbeyfeale Fishing Tackle

Support - Shannon Regional Fisheries Board contact  Brian Mc Manus at the Angling Section  Email: info@shannon-fishery-board.ie  Tel: +353 509 21777 Fax: +353 509 21756