Shannon fisheries

Fishery details

Castleconnell Salmon Fishery

Location

• Located on the River Shannon near Castleconnell
• Approximately 11 km north of Limerick city
• 40 kilometres from Shannon Airport

Layout & access

• 6 beats of 800 metres each
• 4 rods to a beat

Each beat has good access involving only a short walk, and parking is not a problem.

Beats 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are located on the Limerick side of the fishery, adjacent to Castleconnell village.

Beat 4 is located on the Clare side of the fishery, adjacent to Clonlara village.

• Beat 1 is at the top of the fishery. Access is through the village of Castleconnell and the beat is upstream of the village.
• Beat 2 is approached through the village. The access point is opposite the sign for Scanlan Park Housing Estate. There is a public right of way to beat by Island House.
• Beat 3 is via the Castleconnell car park.
• Beat 4 is either by crossing the Footbridge at Beat 3. Access from the Co. Clare side through the village of Clonlara to the Anglers Rest Pub at Doonass.
• Beats 5 & 6 are via the back road from Castleconnell to Limerick. Turn right at the sign for Ahane GAA Club/Clareville Waterworks.

Types of fishing & restrictions

Castleconnell is a public & private Salmon fishery. Boat fishing is not allowed at the fishery - all beats can be fished from the bank.

Fly, worm and spinning fishing methods are allowed - the fishery is renowned for its excellent fly-fishing.

Prawn/Shrimp is strictly prohibited. See all rules & regulations.

Flies

Well-tried fly patterns used at the fishery include:

• Black Goldfinch
• Silver Doctor
• Hairy Mary
• Badger
• Garry Dog
• Shrimp Fly

Equipment hire

Rods, angling equipment and ghillies can be hired locally.

Amenities

There is a variety of accommodation, restaurants and pubs in Castleconnell village and surrounding areas. For information, contact the local tourist office on 061 317502.

Rules & regulations

• Anglers must be in possession of either an ESB letter or receipt from the Fishery Admin Office
• They must liase with ESB personnel or their appointed agents
• They are not allowed to have prawn or shrimp in their possession on the fisheries
• Anyone found using such bait will be asked to leave the fishery, and future bookings will be refused
• There is a rotation of pools every 2 hours
• In the interest of water safety all anglers must wear buoyancy aids or life jackets
• Fishing from boats is not allowed
• Beat-holders must provide names of additional anglers on the beat to the Fisheries Admin Office in advance
• Anglers must stay on their allocated beat
• The discharge at Castleconnell is controlled from Parteen regulating weir. This means that the Fisheries are rarely out of order.
• Anglers will not be compensated on those rare occasions when ESB is forced to discharge additional water from Parteen Regulating Weir.
• Management may offer alternative booking at times of peak demand
• Angling Returns should be submitted to ESB
• The decisions of the ESB Fisheries Conservation Manager are final

Daily permit charges apply

Fishery details

Lower Shannon Salmon Fisheries

Location

The principal salmon areas in Limerick city and its environs are:

• Longshore Fishery
• Corbally Falls
• Plassey
• The Falls
• The Cut
• O'Briensbridge, Co Clare

Alternate permit purchase outlets for Lower Shannon

• Paddy Guerin, Castleconnell, Co Limerick.
• Bonds Fishing Tackle Shop, Wickham Street, Limerick
• J. Doherty, Shannonside Angling Centre, Broad Street, Limerick

Rules & regulations

• Fishing shall be with single rod and line
• Fishing is not allowed within 200 metres of Parteen Regulating Weir or at any ESB Dam
• Fishing is not allowed in the Headrace or Tailrace
• No electronic aids are allowed for the capture of fish
• Angling returns should be submitted to ESB
• Prawn/shrimp not allowed

Season permit applies

Fishery details

Mulclair River salmon fishing

Location

Permits for Mulcair River also cover the Lower Shannon fisheries.

Mulcair River is a tributary of the River Shannon. It joins the Shannon near Annacotty.

Fishing quality

The Mulcair is a spate river, subject to sudden variations in water levels.

In wet summers, from May onwards it gives first class salmon angling. In drier conditions it is dependent on the occasional flood.

Access

Access is at recognised entrances along the left bank and at the bridges from Annacotty, including:

• Abbington
• Brittas
• Kileenagarriff
• Dromkeen
• Cappamore Bridges

Car parking is available at the Longfield and Abbington.

Fishing is from the bank or by wading.

Rules & regulations

• Fishing shall be with single rod and line
• Fishing for salmon and trout by any means is prohibited to a distance of 50 metres below Ballyclough Dam on the Limerick side
• From June 1, fishing is prohibited between the Old Bridge and Annacotty Weir
• No electronic aids are allowed for the capture of fish
• Angling Returns should be submitted to ESB

Mulcair River trout angling

The ESB Trout Fishing Permit covers:

• The Mulcair and Newport rivers
• The Shannon River from the mouth of the Mulcair to Island Point, and from Thomond Bridge to Sarsfield Bridge

Rules & regulations

• Fishing shall be with single rod and line
• Fishing for salmon and trout by any means is prohibited within a distance of 50 metres below Limerick side of Dam at Ballyclough.
• Fishing prohibited between the Old Bridge and Annacotty Weir from lst June
• Fishing is not permitted from two hours after sunset to two hours before sunrise
• Single worm or artificial fly only to be used:
  • on Mulcair and its tributaries after May 31
  • between Plassey Falls and Plassey Bridge inclusive after April 30
• No electronic aids are allowed for the capture of fish.
• The use of fixed spool reels is prohibited
• Angling Returns should be submitted to ESB
• Prawn/shrimp not allowed

Alternate salmon & trout permit purchase outlets

• Paddy Guerin, Castleconnell, Co Limerick.
• Bonds Fishing Tackle Shop, Wickham Street, Limerick
• J. Doherty, Shannonside Angling Centre, Broad Street, Limerick

Salmon season, weekly or daily permits apply
Trout season permits apply

Fishery details

Mid Shannon salmon fishing

Location

Salmon fishing is available on the following rivers:

• Big Brosna
• Little Brosna
• Suck

Season permits apply