Some of the best pike fishing in Ireland is on Upper Lough Erne, which borders the Republic and Northern Ireland. The rolling countryside is a stunning backdrop for the fertile lake that regularly produces pike in the 20 to 30 pound range. Other species include sea trout and brown trout, perch, and salmon.
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What month is best for pike fishing?
Regardless of where you fish, late May and early June is a prime time to target big pike. The majority of pike will spawn around the full moon cycle in April whether under ice or open water. By mid-May the spawn is over and the big fish look to regain all the weight they lost during the spawn process.
Is fly fishing good for pike?
When can you fish for pike in Ireland?
There is no statutory close-season for pike in Ireland, so you can enjoy Pike fishing all year round. Pike spawn between March and May and this can be the best time to land a massive specimen.
Can you eat pike Ireland?
Already pike are being removed from the trout lakes and transferred to other coarse fish habitats, where the French and Germans and Dutch can have their sport and their dinners. And pike is good eating. In this country we have been slow to break with the old idea that it was somehow unwholesome.
Where is the best fly fishing in Ireland?
- Waterville.
- The Great Western Lakes.
- The River Moy.
- The River Boyne.
- The Dingle Peninsula.
Is March good for pike fishing?
Mid February to March This is often the most rewarding time of year for the dedicated pike angler. As the ice starts to thaw & water temperatures creep up to around 5 degrees, the pike start to move from deeper water and head to the shallower spawning grounds.
Do pike bites Mid Day?
Weather condition, the type of lures we use, and of course the time of day are all very important factors. Pike pretty much bite anything that you put in front of them, which is why time of the day plays a huge role in where they are located in the water.
What bait is best for pike?
The best live bait for northern pike are baitfish like ciscos, suckers, alewives, and shad along with yellow perch and bluegill. Northern pike a whole range of food items but artificial lures actually work better and offer more benefits for pike fishermen than live bait, in my opinion.
What size fly rod for pike?
When it comes to pike fishing, anglers usually use a 9wt fly rod. But for quickly reeling in the slightly larger musky, it’s strongly recommended that you go for a 10 or 11wt. In some cases, especially for bigger musky, fly fishermen will also reach for a 12wt.
What flies to use for pike?
- Clouser Minnow.
- Wiggle Lemmings.
- Barry’s Pike Fly.
- Gen-X Bunny.
- Banger.
- Northwoods Ninja.
- Reducer.
- Umpqua Baitfish.
What size of fly rod do I need for pike?
Most serious pike fly anglers use a 9 or a 10 weight rod. This generates enough line speed to cast your large pike fly and wire trace. A reel capable of holding a 9 or 10 weight fly line plus backing line is required. A good reliable drag for fighting those big predators is also a must.
How do you fish for pike in Ireland?
Dead Baiting One of the most popular and productive methods to catch pike in Ireland is the use of deadbaits fished in a sink-and-draw (wobbled) manner from shore or boat.
Do you need a permit for pike fishing?
Anglers in the Shannon Region must have a Permit (ticket charge) to fish for trout, pike or coarse fish in the Midland Fisheries Group of controlled waters. This area comprises the following river catchments; RIVER SUCK, RIVER INNY, RIVER BROSNA, LITTLE BROSNA RIVER and CAMLIN RIVER.
What does a pike taste like?
Some people describe pike as tasting fishy, but this is because it does not have a strong flavor. The taste of the meat can vary depending on where you live and what your preference is for cooking methods! Pike that has been cooked with herbs or spices may also have an earthier taste than those without them added in.
Where is the best fishing in Ireland?
- Killarney Lakes, County Kerry.
- Mullaghmore, County Sligo.
- Belmullet, County Mayo.
- The River Boyne, County Meath.
- Blackwater River, County Cork.
- Lough Derg, Counties Clare/ Tipperary/ Galway.
- Aran Islands, County Galway.
- Lough Muckno, County Monaghan.
Where is the best pike fishing?
Some of the best pike fishing in the world is in Sweden. The Swedish archipelago (or Skärgård) runs along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It contains numerous smaller archipelagos such as Västervik, Trosta, and Blekinge. Stockholm Harbor has yielded some record-breaking fish.
What is the best time to fish for trout in Ireland?
Climatic Influences on Irish Wild Brown Trout Trout may be fished for from February through to October. At all times the fishing depends on prevailing weather, water levels, barometric pressure and temperature. The influence of the Irish climate, as well as the habits of the trout, also has to be taken into account.
What is the most common fish in Ireland?
The ‘commonest’ fish is cod or haddock, both of which are white, sea fish and not particularly boney.
Do I need a license to fish in Ireland?
You need a state licence to fish for salmon or sea trout. You can purchase a licence for a period of one day or up to a year. Information on licences and their cost is available on the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) angling website, where you can also purchase the licence online.
What time of year are pike most active?
Pike can be caught throughout the year, but are most active during cold water seasons – from fall to spring. This is why they’re very popular during winter times when lakes and rivers are frozen. Since sun isn’t a factor anymore, they are active throughout the day, with small spikes during sunrise and sunset.
When should I stop pike fishing?
Traditionally, fishing for pike has pretty much always been a winter pursuit. In general terms, the pike ‘season’ begins 1 October and runs until the close of the river coarse fishing season on 14 March.
Where do pike like to hide?
In rivers, pikes usually stay out of the stream, hiding in water weeds and lily pads. A great place to start would be the turning points of a river or river mouths. When it’s warm, pikes move to deeper waters.
Are pike hard to catch?
Pike are aggressive apex predators and are usually easy to catch, because they will chase and bite at almost anything smaller than them.
How old is a 30 inch northern pike?
Catch & Release. We encourage our guests to release all larger, spawning size fish, walleye over 20 inches, northern pike over 30 inches and perch over 12 inches. These fish are generally all females, prime spawners, and at least 10 years old, while really large fish can be 30 years old or more.