Here’s an overview of angling and fishing in Mayo, including Ballina and Foxford.

The River Moy is obviously our greatest asset here in the region, and with Ballina known as the Salmon Capital of Ireland, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the river. However there is also a wealth of lake fishing available throughout the region.

You’ll find a fantastic fishing community in Foxford, the Capital of the Moy, and East Mayo anglers also have lots of great information and resources for visiting fishers.

North Mayo is a haven for both the domestic and visiting angler. It offers excellent choice and wide variation. The River Moy, Lough Conn and Lough Cullen are world-renowned and internationally acknowledged as some of the best places for fishing and angling in Ireland.

For many years, North Mayo has been regarded a key destination for angling enthusiasts around the world who are attracted to the region’s phenomenal offering to those that wield the rod for sport. The region’s principal town of Ballina, the Salmon Capital of Ireland (an official designation reflecting the quality of angling and fly-fishing available on its River Moy) is world-renowned for its famous angling, particularly on the Ridge Pool.

A fishing holiday in Ireland brings with it the best of experiences – as well as a top-quality fishing product, you’ll also enjoy a great social experience in the evenings in the pubs and restaurants of places like Ballina, Crossmolina, Foxford, Swinford and Enniscrone where the locals will welcome you like one of their own.

READ: Fishing and angling on the River Moy in Ballina

Salmon Fishing in Mayo

The River Moy is known for its exceptional salmon fishery, so much so, Ballina is also referred to as “The Salmon capital of Ireland”. In fact, the River Moy is Ireland’s most productive salmon river, and fishing for salmon on the River Moy is on many a bucket list, particularly at the Ridge Pool and Cathedral Beat. The River Deel also offers salmon fishing, as does Carrowmore Lake in Erris.

Indeed much of North Mayo and West Sligo is drained by the River Moy  and its tributaries which comprise Ireland’s most prolific salmon waters. The area also boasts many bountiful lakes with great brown trout stocks.

The Mayo North area also caters for the sea angler with top-class boat and shore fishing available and up to 34 species waiting to be hooked in its coastal waters.

Brown trout fishing in Mayo

Lough Conn and Lough Cullin have a strong association with Brown trout Fishing with a catch in excess of 4,000 annually. It’s also a self-sustaining system which means its fish stock is reproduced naturally and a restock is never needed.

Download the Lough Cunn & Lough Cullin Game Angling Guide

Carrowmore Lake also offers outstanding brown trout fishing.

Sea Trout fishing in Mayo

The Moy Estuary is one of Ireland’s prime sea trout fisheries. Sea Fishing, Shore and boat angling is also extremely popular, especially in areas such as Killala and Ballycastle.

Irish Fishing Regulations

Do I need a licence to fish in Ireland?

While no licence is needed for trout, pike and coarse fishing in the Republic of Ireland, a rod licence is required in  Northern Ireland. In both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, licences are required for salmon and sea trout fishing.

Sea fishing for marine sport fish does not require a licence in either country.

In the Republic of Ireland State Salmon and Sea Trout Licences are available as a National licence or a District Licence. A National Licence covers all Fishery Board Districts while a District Licence covers only the Fishery District in which the licence is purchased. Here is a list of fishing tackle shops  in Ireland where licences may be bought.  Alternatively you can buy a licence online. It should be noted that a licence does not confer the right to fish for salmon or sea trout and that permission or permits are required to fish most waters

For more information on fishing in Ballina, Foxford, Swinford and the surrounding areas, visit Angling Ireland or Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Mayo Game Angling Guide

Mayo Game Angling Guide (German)

A Guide to Sea Angling in the North Western Fisheries Region

Lough Conn & Lough Cullin Game Angling Guide

East Mayo Anglers have also put together a comprehensive booklet including detailed maps and information on the nine-mile stretch of the River Moy for which they have fishing rights. This booklet is available by calling to the East Mayo Anglers Office on Market Street, Swinford, or to Tiernan Brothers, Foxford.

Attymass Angling Association – River Moy

c/o Padraic Garret
Attymass, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Tel: +353 (0)94 58151

The club waters are situated 2.5 miles from Ballina on the east bank of the River Moy. The fishery consists of approximately 2.5 miles of single bank fishing and is divided up into three distinct sections including three famous Moy pools: Padden’s Pool, the Wood Pool and Cunningham’s Pool.

East Mayo Anglers – River Moy

Ms. Linda Philips
The East Mayo Anglers Association Offices, Market Street, Swinford
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +353 (0)94 925 3955
Web: East Mayo Anglers

The club leases approximately 8 miles of double bank fishing, which extends from approximately one mile upstream of the confluence with the Cross river to the confluence with the Killeen river on the left bank and from a point approximately a mile and a half downstream of Ballylahan bridge to on the right bank.

Foxford Salmon Anglers – River Moy

Michael Tiernan
Riverside
Foxford
Tel: +353 (0)94 56731

The club waters consists of double bank fishing from Foxford bridge upstream for about 1 mile and adjoining the Cloongee fishery ½ a mile north of the confluence with the Cross river.

Knockmore Angling Club – River Moy

Mr. Martin Kelly
Tel: +353 (0)94 58287

Knockmore Club operates two separate stretches on the west bank of the River, three miles north of Foxford just off the N26. Both beats are little more than one mile apart and are adjoined by private fisheries on either ends.

River Easkey Angling Association – River Easkey

The River Easkey Angling Association is a growing angling club, taking care of much of The River Easkey, protecting the fish and improving access for locals and visitors alike.

More information can be found on their Facebook page – River Easkey Angling Association

Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers Association

Ballina and Cloghans Angling Club