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Fisheries & Angling Legislation & Bye-Laws for Ireland's Shannon Region  - An Overview up to 2006

There are a myriad of Fisheries Bye laws under the Fisheries Acts which are in many cases specific to a particular fishery. These are listed where relevant on a fishery by fishery basis in our Fishing Guides Angling sections. For details on Fisheries Acts see

THE IRISH STATUTE BOOK - 1959 ACT

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NITRATES DIRECTIVE IN IRELAND

The following is an overview of the important Angling Regulations/Bye Laws which cover fishing in the Shannon region and nationally. For others, please check with us.  

GENERAL FRESHWATER BYE LAWS

  • The only legal method to catch freshwater fish is by rod and line (Bye-law No.595)

  • A person may fish with not more than two rods at any time (Bye-law No.595)

  • It is illegal to transfer live roach from one water to any other waters. (Bye-law No.561)

  • The taking or killing of by any person of more than one pike on any day is illegal. (Bye-law No.667)

  •  Bye-Law No 797: 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. (Bye-Law No 797) August 2004.

     NEW SALMON AND SEA TROUT BAG LIMIT FROM SEPTEMBER 1st, 2005

    Anglers please note that there will not be a one salmon or sea trout (over 40cms) per day limit on anglers in September. This has been confirmed by the DoCMNR. The end of season restriction in Bye-Law No: 797 of 2004 as above related to the period 1 September 2004 to 31 December 2004 only.

    Anglers can catch up to three salmon or sea trout (over 40cms) per day, subject to a maximum of 20 until the end of the respective seasons.

  • All salmon (and sea trout over 40cm) kept must be tagged, and the logbook filled out accordingly. See Logbook Scheme.

  • It is prohibited to sell rod caught salmon or sea trout over 40cm between January 1st and October 31st.

GENERAL PIKE & COARSE FISHING BYE LAWS

  • It is illegal to have or to use live bait as bait (Bye-law No.592)

  • A person may fish with not more than two rods for coarse angling at any one time.

  • It is illegal to transfer live roach from one water to any other waters. (Bye-law No.561)

  • The taking or killing of by any person of more than one pike on any day is illegal.

  • The taking and killing by any person of any pike exceeding 6.6lbs (3kg) in weight is illegal.

  • It is illegal for any one person to have in their possession more than one dead whole pike or alternatively more than 3.3lbs (1.5kg) by weight of pike flesh or parts.

  • It is permitted to take one whole specimen size whole, ungutted pike on any one day. River specimen pike 20lbs (9.072) - Lake specimen pike 30lbs (13.608kg) on any day

  • The bye law also provides for the register to be set up by each Regional Fisheries Board of all premises and other storage facilities used by persons acting as holders of pike for third parties. Furthermore all pike flesh, up to a maximum of 1.5kg per person must be wrapped separately with the anglers name clearly visible.

These laws were introduced in order that all anglers will continue to enjoy excellent sport on all our rivers and lakes and we require your co-operation in ensuring they are adhered to

COMMERCIAL FISHING BYE LAWS TO 2006

These Bye Laws are just some of the important conservation measures introduced to protect our fish life and aquatic habitats. Listed from most recent. Others are available on request.

19th April 2005

Bye Law No. 789, 2005 - Salmon & Seatrout Conservation Byelaw

This Bye-law controls commercial salmon and sea trout fishing during the year 2005 applicable from the 19th April 2005.

10th February 2005

Bye Law No 281-2005 - Shannon Fisheries Region Close Season for Draft Netting of Trout on Lough Ree

  • This Bye-law introduces conservation measures in Lough Ree applicable from 10th February 2005.

7th April 2004

Bye Law No 794-2004 - Salmon and Trout Conservation

  • Controls commercial salmon and trout fishing during year 2004. Applicable from 7 April 2004.

Bye Law No. 752 of 1998 - Management of Eel Fishing Bye-law

  • Caps the maximum number of licences which may be issued for longlining for eels in each fishery District.
     

SPECIFIC ANGLING BYE LAWS TO 2006

These Bye Laws cover the most recent introductions as conservation measures to protect our fish life and aquatic habitats. Listed from most recent. Others are available on request.

CONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT BYE-LAW NO. 802, 2006

Provides for the restriction on the annual angling bag limit of 10 fish per angler for 2006;

This Bye-law provides for:

(a)              a total allowable catch of 10 fish (being either salmon or sea trout or any combination of both fish) in any year.

(b)             a bag limit of 1 fish (being either a salmon or sea trout) per angler per day from 1 January to 31 May, and

(c)              a bag limit of 3 fish (being either salmon or sea trout) per angler per day from 1 June to the end of the fishing season, with the exception of 2006 where a bag limit of 1 fish (being either a salmon or sea trout) per angler per day applies from 1 September 2006 to 31 December 2006.

CONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT BYE-LAW NO. 803, 2006

This Bye-law prohibits the taking by rod and line any salmon or sea trout from the 8 fishery districts specified in the Bye-law, prohibits the use of any fish hooks other than single barbless hooks and imposes a ban on the use of worms as bait in angling during the period 1 September 2006 to 31 December 2006. 

1st May 2003

Bye Law 787-2003 - Shannon Fisheries Region Control of Angling in Lough Ree Bye-law

  • This Bye-law introduces the following measures to control Angling in Lough Ree (a) prohibits, the taking and possession of trout less than 14 inches in length (b) prohibits a person  from taking and possessing more than 4 trout in any day (c) prohibits a person from using more than 2 rods at any one time (d) revokes Bye-law No. C.S.137, 1989 thereby extending the end of the close season for trout until and including the last day of February each year applicable from 1st May 2003 

Bye Law No. 754, 1999 - Shannon Fisheries Region Trout Conservation on Lough Derg

  • Prescribes the close season for trout angling on Lough Derg from 1 October to 17th March each year. Increase the minimum size of trout which may be killed on Lough Derg from 8 to 12 inches

SALMON AND SEA TROUT LOGBOOK SCHEME

 WILD SALMON AND SEATROUT TAGGING SCHEME REGULATIONS 2006

The Minister of  State signed  the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2006 season on the 25th April. 

Anglers must be in compliance with the wild salmon carcass and log book scheme as introduced by the Dept of Communications, 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.

SALMON TAGS & LOGBOOKS 2006:

Fishermen are required by law to return the logbook and all unused tags to the issuing Regional Fisheries Board  within whose fishery region he/she resides (in this case licences purchased through the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board) within seven days following the end of the licence expiry, even when no fish have been caught.

FISHING ShRFB MANAGED FISHERIES

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board control many fisheries in the region referred to as the MIDLAND FISHERIES GROUP. A fishing permit is required to fish these waters

Rates 2006: Adult Annual €35.00; Pensioner/Disability Annual €18.00;. Juvenile Annual €12.00 Juvenile 1 Day €2.00 Day Permit €10.00 Visitors 21 Day: €18.00Share Certificate from the North Shannon Development Co-Operative Society is required to fish  the Upper Shannon and tributaries located upstream of Banagher Bridge on the Shannon in Co Offaly. A Share Certificate can be purchased from most of the larger tackle dealers  which are advertised on this site.  A Fishing Permit can be purchased Online CLICK HERE

Each fishery has it's own angling regulations which are listed on our fishing guides angling section. However general rules apply as follows

  • Anglers can only fish one rod per angler

  • Rods must not be left unattended.

  • All under sized fish must be returned to the water with as little injury as possible

  • The Management reserve the right to refuse and revoke a permit to anyone violating, these regulations or acting in a manner detrimental to the fishery, fishing or the surrounding countryside.

  • Anglers who are found to have acted in an 'unsporting manner' may have their permit revoked

SEA FISHING

BASS

  • It is prohibited to take and kill more than two bass on any one day.( Bye-law No.667)
    Minimum overall size limit of 40cm. From tip of snout to end of tail
    · Closed season from 15th May to 15th June.

Note: Penalties for breach of the above laws include confiscation of tackle and heavy fines.

 


PIKE AND COARSE FISH BYE-LAWS

Salmon Fishermen: Return of Log Books


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The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach na Sionainne
Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick, Rep of Ireland
Tel: 061 300238 Fax: 061 300308