Pike Fishing Ireland

Ireland is located on the western extremity of Europe and for many years has been hailed as one of the world’s premium angling destinations. Historically, Ireland was noted for its salmon and trout fishing, but it has now developed an excellent reputation for the quality of its pike fishing.
There is no statutory close season for pike in Ireland and anglers may fish for pike all year round.
Pike are now one of the most highly sought after sport fish species in Europe and North America and there has also been a huge increase in the popularity of pike fishing among Irish anglers.
Ireland boasts thousands of lakes and several thousand kilometres of pike bearing rivers and canals which are largely underutilised. The availability and quality of fishing means that Irish pike angling can satisfy the expectations of specialist, experienced and novice anglers alike.
Conservation measures have been put in place recently to ensure the quality of pike fishing into the future. Pike are the largest of the freshwater predators and are abundant in all Irish watercourses from small to large loughs as well as rivers and canals. Irish pike grow quickly and can reach up to 20 Kg. (over 40 lbs.) on some Irish waters with fish of 10 Kg. (over 20 lbs.) being quite common in many of our lakes and rivers.

Folklore and Fact

In Ireland, there are many stories and legends of great Irish pike including pike of 92 and 90 lbs (42 & 41 Kg.), supposedly caught in the late 1800son Lough Derg and on the River Shannon at Meelick.
In 1920, the one-time Irish record pike of 53 lbs (24 Kg.) was taken on Lough Conn and this fish was also a European record for many years.

Due to the strict criteria currently laid down in relation to the capture of record and specimen fish in Ireland, this record fish was removed from the list in the early 1970s.

Many angling books written about pike fishing in Europe always contain a chapter or two extolling the virtues of Irish pike fishing with a recommendation that “a visit here is a necessity to sample some of the best pike fishing in Europe.
The official rod-caught records for Irish pike are 42 lbs 12 oz. (19.39 Kg.) for a lough fish, and 42 lbs (19.05 Kg.) for a river fish. Irish pike generally grow faster and mature earlier than their European counterparts due to the excellent habitat and the quantity and quality of fodder fish. In some good rich Irish waters pike in Ireland can reach 20 lbs. (9.072 Kg.) in their fifth year and 30 lbs. (13.608 Kg.) in their seventh year.