Pike angling is popular among Irish anglers with some 6000 registered with the Irish Pike Fishing Federation. Both pike and coarse fishing are also very popular with the tourist angler. There are thousands of rivers and lakes and miles of clean canals packed with well conditioned bream, rudd, roach, trench, hybrids and pike, all waiting to be caught in the most tranquil and idyllic of rural surrounds. Ireland has few equals as a holiday destination for this type of fishing and visitors are made welcome and specially catered to.
The Fisheries Boards, together with the national and local tourism interests develop these fisheries with the angler in mind. whenever possible, the natural aspect is not disturbed, but where necessary, stiles, footbridges and solid angling are provided for easy access to the of the fishing. Detailed angling charts are available locally and from the Fisheries Board.
Coarse angling tends to be organised around "centres", usually towns and villages in which experienced caterers specialise in angling tourist. There are many lakes and rivers in reach of a centre and local information is always available to insure your enjoyment. Bait is seldom a problem as there stockists in most centres, but prior notice is always advisable.
there is no closed season for coarse angling in Ireland, but there are, of course best periods for various species. Bream and rudd feed mostly from mid April to October. Roach are at their best during the colder winter months, but are available for much of the year. Pike fishing is good throughout the year, but is at its best during the colder months. Specimen pike can be taken at any time. ( Lake - 30 lbs., River - 20 lbs. ). Tench fishing is best in the months of May and June.
In the interest of sport, we return all our coarse fish alive. Pike are also protected and we appeal to all anglers to comply with our fisheries laws and customs while enjoying the sport.