ESTABLISHMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND - SEE PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 1st, 2010

ANGLING REGULATIONS

OPEN SEASON: Salmon: March 1st to September 30th Trout: March 1st to September 30th.

SPECIES: Salmon, Small wild Brown Trout.

PERMISSION TO FISH: To fish the Mulkear River, anglers  require an ESB Fishing Permit.  Contact ESB Fisheries Office, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare. Tel: +353 (0) 61 350 598. These are also available at local outlets. In addition, a Salmon Rod Licence is required for Salmon Fishing.  Anglers can purchase a Salmon Rod Licence online CLICK HERE or contact IFI’s local office Tel: +353 (0) 61 300 238.

MULKEAR RIVER FISHERY PARTNERSHIP

There has been a number of environmental initiatives undertaken in the catchment over many years. In 1999 the former Shannon Regional Fisheries Board developed a pilot Catchment Management process, focusing on the River Mulkear. The purpose of the process was to develop a model suited to rivers within the Shannon catchment that promotes partnership, creativity and the sharing of resources. One of the outcomes of this process was the Mulkear River Fishery Partnership, set up in 2007 to manage and provide sustainable angling in the River Mulkear. In 2009, these initiates were further extended to include the Mulkear EULife Conservation Project. The main objective of this project is to restore through in-stream rehabilitation work, degraded habitats along stretches of the Mulkear River, which forms part of the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC’s), for Sea Lamprey, Atlantic Salmon and the European Otter.

The Partnership brings together the four main angling stakeholders to the river.

• The ESB – Electricity Supply Board (The Fishery Owner).

• Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, now Inland Fisheries Ireland, Shannon River Basin District.

• Shannon, Mulkear & District Anglers Association

• Limerick & District Anglers Association.

Four key objectives of the Partnership are to:

• Develop a sustainable operational management structure, operating through partnership and consensus.

• Identify the needs of the fishery and providing sustainable angling for Salmon and Brown Trout in line with scientific advice.

• Ensure ‘buy in’ from all stakeholders in the catchment in association with the Mulkear Catchment Management Plan.

• Implement a Fishery enhancement Plan.

FISHERY RULES

• Anglers fishing partnership waters require a valid permit and state Salmon Rod Licence.

• Fishing shall be with single Rod and Line only.

• Fishing is only allowed during daylight hours only.

• Anglers must respect the rights and property to landowners on land they may have to cross, or whose lands they may occupy when fishing.

• The breaking of hedges or any other damage caused by a permit holder while fishing the partnerships waters will be treated as an offence against the partnerships conditions.

• A Salmon angling permit is issued subject to a full and proper return of the number of all salmon caught being made to the appropriate authority, as indicated on your licence.

• The permit must be available for inspection by any fisheries officer or authorised person on request. Non co-operation or disrespect to Fisheries Officers or authorised persons on partnership waters will be treated as an offence against the partnerships conditions.

• Anyone found in breach of the partnership regulations or conditions may have their permit revoked on the spot and may appeal it in writing to the Mulkear River Partnership, C/O Inland Fisheries Ireland., Shannon River Basin District.

ANGLING ETIQUETTE

• Always show respect for other anglers, river users, and the environment you
  fish in. Please observe the following code of angling etiquette and country code and abide by the partnership’s fishery rules. Enjoy your fishing!

• Consider your safety and wear a life jacket at all times.

• Only use recognized pathways, gate ways and stiles to access the fishery.

• Do not obstruct gates with vehicles or leave farm gates open.

• Seek permission from landowners before crossing private lands and respect farmland and the country side.

• Do not discard litter, hooks, line, etc, bring it home.

• Do not take over a pool on the river to the exclusion of other anglers, keep rotating.

PROHIBITED ANGLING METHODS

• Prawns and Shrimp are prohibited at all times. 2010 Bye Law No: 871 applies.

• It is prohibited to use a gaff or be in possession on the bank of the river.

PROHIBITED ANGLING AREAS

• Fishing for Salmon and Trout by any means is prohibited within a distance of 50 meters below Limerick side of the weir at Ballyclough.

• Fishing is prohibited between the Old Bridge and Annacotty Weir from the 1st June.

• Fishing for Salmon and Trout by any means is prohibited within a distanced of 100 meters downstream of the Newport Water Works.

• Fishing for Salmon and Trout by any means is prohibited within a distance of 300 meters downstream of Burntmills.

BAG LIMITS - SALMON

10 Salmon per angler per season.

• 1 fish from March 1st and 11th May

• 3 fish per day from 12th May to 31st August

• 1 fish per day from 1st September to 30th September

• If bag limit is reached, then anglers can fish catch and release using single barbless hook and no worm fishing.

BAG LIMITS – TROUT

• 3 fish per day per angler.

• Fish must be 10 inches or more in size. 

ACCESS: Easy access at a network of road bridges.

FISHERY DESCRIPTION: 

The Mulkear River rises in the Slievefelim and Silvermines mountains in Co. Tipperary and flows through a picturesque landscape, before joining the River Shannon downstream of Annacotty in Co. Limerick. The main river channel is approximately 21.5 km long, and together with its principal tributaries (Dead, Bilboa and Newport rivers), it drains a catchment area of approximately 650 km². This catchment area spans both Counties Limerick and Tipperary. The watershed consists of upland and lowland areas, typical of many Irish river systems. The upland area is extensive and has many mountain peaks in excess of 400m.

The Mulkear river is one of the finest Salmon angling rivers in the Shannon Catchment and is important in the national context. The river also holds good stocks of small Wild Brown Trout.

SALMON FISHING

The Mulkear River offers prime Salmon angling waters. It is more renowned as a grilse river than a spring Salmon river. However, it enjoys a small run of ‘springers’ in March and April. The run of grilse commences in May, depending on water levels and peaks in June and July. It is classed as a spate river, i.e. it fishes best on a dropping flood. There are many varied angling waters to explore, ranging from fast flowing riffled areas to lovely glides, flats and deep pools. The most productive Salmon fishing waters extends from Drumkeen Bridge, downstream to Lane’s Weir, a distance of circa 20Km.
There are many pools which derive their names locally and some have anecdotal
significance. The Flying ‘C’ is a popular choice of lure and comes in different sizes and colours to suit the water levels and clarity of the river. Popular Salmon flies include a range of shrimp fly patterns, such as Ally’s, Cascade, Claret and Silver Shrimps.

Limerick angler Michael J. O’ Brien, deceased, invented a local Salmon fly called the ‘Michael Angelo’ and is worth getting a copy of. This is available in the local Tackle shops. Hair winged Salmon Flies such as Hairy Mary, Garry Dog, Silver Badger, Blue Charm, Munro Killer and Thunder and Lightning are useful patterns to have in your fly box when visiting the River Mulkear.

The sizes vary from size 6 for high water fishing, down to size 12 for low water.
It is recommended to have some yellow colouring in the fly wing when fishing in the peat stained water after a spate. If you are a fly dresser, you could experiment.
As water levels drop following a spate, Salmon fall back into the pools and can be targeted in these conditions using smaller flies, best in the evening time and early mornings. The Mulkear Fishery partnership recommend fly fishing and spinning only, as the preferred angling methods.

Stretches farther up river on the Mulkear, including the main tributaries Killeenagarriff and Newport Rivers provide some good late season Salmon angling into September, water levels permitting. Anglers are requested to take note that there is a Bye-Law prohibiting the use of prawns and shrimp as bait for Salmon fishing in the Shannon Region, and this includes the River Mulkear system. Also, we request you to note the prohibited angling areas and fishing methods as outlined in the fishery rules and regulations.

TROUT FISHING 

Trout fishing is available all along the main River Mulkear channel, some particularly noted stretches are at Scart and from Walsh’s streams to the
meetings. Trout can reach up to circa 35cm or more.

Other good trout waters are on the tributaries and include sections of the Killeenagarriff, Newport, Annagh and Bilboa Rivers, as indicated with map icons. Trout in the upper reaches of the river are usually of smaller size, up to 25cm. Most anglers target trout using small flies in accordance with local fly hatches and seasons. Early season flies such as Gold Ribbed Hares Ear are fished in March. During mid season from May to July is the time primarily for the Olives, which can be represented
collectively by the Greenwells Glory in different variations. Black gnat is a good choice when the fly is hatching in May. This is followed by the sedge season, which extends from mid to late season, July to September. Flies are fished in small sizes 12 to 16’s, depending on angling conditions and fly selection. Both wet and dry fly fishing methods are practiced.

The following flies are worth having in your fly box, i.e. Gold ribbed Hares ear, winged and hackled , Greenwells Glory (various patterns, winged and hackled), Black Gnat, Iron Blue Dun, Pale Watery, Olive  quills (various patterns and colours), Grey Flag and a range of small sedges, Silver, Cinnamon and Brown patterns. For a more extensive list, seek local advice.

Anglers are requested to observe the Trout bag and size limit and to practice catch and release whenever possible, in the interest of conservation.

Please Observe Our Country Code and Fisheries Laws.

Anglers are requested to always observe our country code

• Seek permission from landowners before crossing private lands or property

• Do not park cars in fields except where permission is granted and it is safe to do so.

• Leave no litter

• Keep our countryside clean

Normal access is over footbridges and stiles or where public access is provided.

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