Notice for salmon anglers on the Garravogue River, Lough Gill and Bonet River

Notice for salmon anglers on the Garravogue River, Lough Gill and Bonet Rive

In order to facilitate the recovery of stocks, the number of salmon (including sea trout over 40cm) that can be legally taken from the Garravogue River, Lough Gill and Bonet River system are strictly limited by law for 2011. All salmon and sea trout over 40cm taken from the above waters must be tagged on landing with both a brown and blue gill tag.

Catch and Release

All anglers fishing the above waters must fish catch and release if they are not in possession of a brown gill tag specific to theGarravogue River, Lough Gill and Bonet River system.  Catch and release means carefully handling any fish caught and immediately returning the fish alive to the water.

The use of worms as bait or any fish hooks, other than single barbless hooks, in angling for salmon on the Garravogue River, Lough Gill and Bonet River system is strictly prohibited unless the angler is in possession of an appropriate brown tag. The above will be strictly enforced and anglers found in contravention of the tagging regulations will be liable to prosecution.

Distribution of Brown Tags

The total number of brown tags available to anglers during the season will be limited to 8 per month. Because of the very limited number, brown tags will be issued on a lottery basis.

Application forms for monthly draw are available to download. You may also request a copy by email at ballina@fisheriesireland.ie or by phone at the following numbers: 087 2518215, 087 2302513, 096 22788

Applications for May & June should reach Inland Fisheries Ireland (Ballina) by 20 May, 2011.  A further draw will be held on the 20 June (for July) and the final draw will be held on 20 July when the remaining tags will be allocated.  Only one application per angler will be considered.  All applications will be acknowledged and unsuccessful applicants will be included in subsequent draws. Any tags not allocated will be carried over into the following month.