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Galway · Fishing

Fishing near Galway

3 waters within reach, 5 species, and the rules a visitor needs to know — from official sources.

11 km22 km Galway River CorribGalway BayLough Corrib
Direction and straight-line distance from the city centre. Not a travel time.

By ReasonStay editorial team · Updated · How we verify

In short

The Galway Fishery salmon beats sit on the River Corrib in the city centre at the Salmon Weir; on Lough Corrib salmon fishing opens 1 February and trout fishing 15 February, both closing 30 September. The waters with mapped locations lie 430 m to 22 km from the city centre. Ireland: a State licence is required to fish for salmon or sea trout (1 day to 1 year), bought through Inland Fisheries Ireland; it comes with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme rules (bag limits, catch-and-release and closed fisheries, gill tags, logbook).

Fishing

Where to fish

  1. River Corrib (Galway Fishery, Salmon Weir)

    river430 m from the city centre

    Fished for: Atlantic salmon.

    6 km long, one of Europe's shortest rivers; operated by Inland Fisheries Ireland.

  2. Lough Corrib

    lake22 km from the city centre

    Fished for: Atlantic salmon, wild brown trout, pike.

    Ireland's second-largest freshwater lake, over 300 islands, about 35 miles long from Galway City to Maum.

  3. Galway Bay

    sea14 km from the city centre

    Fished for: mackerel, pollack, wrasse, bass.

Getting there: The Galway Fishery is in the city centre at the Salmon Weir Bridge; Lough Corrib runs from Galway City northwards.

Seasons

What you can catch, and when

SpeciesSeasonNotes
Atlantic salmonLough Corrib: 1 February–30 September. Galway Fishery (2021 tariff): 1 February–30 September, peak rate 1 June–17 JulyState salmon licence required. 2021 Galway Fishery bag limits: 1 per day up to 3 (1 Feb–11 May); September 1 per day.
Wild brown troutLough Corrib: 15 February–30 SeptemberMayfly appears on the Corrib lakes each May (Oughterard Heritage).
Pike—National bye-law: 1 pike per day; pike over 50 cm returned (IFI, 2022).
European sea bassClosed 15 May–15 June2 bass per 24 hours (IFI, 2015 notice).
Mackerel, pollack, wrasse—Galway Bay sea angling (single secondary source).

Best time: May (mayfly, Lough Corrib trout) · June–mid-July (Galway Fishery peak-rate period)

Rules

Do you need a permit?

Ireland: a State licence is required to fish for salmon or sea trout (1 day to 1 year), bought through Inland Fisheries Ireland; it comes with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme rules (bag limits, catch-and-release and closed fisheries, gill tags, logbook). Galway Fishery rods are booked through the IFI fishery office at Weir Lodge, Earl's Island. Coarse rules: max 2 rods, no live bait, 4 coarse fish per day, none over 25 cm killed.

Authority: Inland Fisheries Ireland / gov.ie — gov.ie

Good to know

Map

Places to stay around Galway

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Hotels in Lough Corrib

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Good to know

Frequently asked

Do you need a fishing permit near Galway?

Ireland: a State licence is required to fish for salmon or sea trout (1 day to 1 year), bought through Inland Fisheries Ireland; it comes with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme rules (bag limits, catch-and-release and closed fisheries, gill tags, logbook). Galway Fishery rods are booked through the IFI fishery office at Weir Lodge, Earl's Island. Coarse rules: max 2 rods, no live bait, 4 coarse fish per day, none over 25 cm killed.

What can you catch near Galway?

Atlantic salmon, Wild brown trout, Pike, European sea bass, Mackerel, pollack, wrasse. Seasons and limits differ by species — see the table on this page.

When is the best time for fishing near Galway?

May (mayfly, Lough Corrib trout); June–mid-July (Galway Fishery peak-rate period).

How far are the waters from Galway?

River Corrib (Galway Fishery, Salmon Weir): 430 m; Galway Bay: 14 km; Lough Corrib: 22 km (straight-line distance from the city centre).

Base yourself in Galway

Where to stay in Galway

Picturesque view of the river in Galway, Ireland at sunset with historic buildings and a charming bridge. Galway city guide Every neighbourhood compared — distances, stations, who each area suits. Fishing across Europe All 14 cities with a researched fishing guide.

Sources