IFI opens first draw for River Easkey salmon tags for 2025

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today opened the first draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon from the Easkey River.

‘Brown tag’ regulations come into force on the Co. Sligo river from February 1st, 2025, and will remain in place until September 30th, 2025, when the salmon fishing season ends.

Anglers interested in entering the draw can apply at the IFI website until midnight on Sunday, February 9th.

Commenting, Mary Walsh Western region director at IFI said: “The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers are declining. The risk of over-fishing puts stocks in further jeopardy.

“Brown tag measures for salmon are required on the Easkey River to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting. 

“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.”

A total of 60 brown tags will be available for the River Easkey catchment.

Tags will be distributed to anglers with a valid rod licence via four draws in the 2025 season, with 15 brown tags available at each draw.

The first draw for River Easkey brown tags will be held on February 14th, followed by draws in April, June and July.

Each angler is limited to one entry per lottery and one brown tag per season.

Anglers who receive a brown tag via the lottery should place them on the salmon – along with a blue tag – as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.

Any angler not allocated a brown tag is only permitted to fish for salmon on the Easkey River catchment on a catch-and-release basis, where the fish is returned safely to the same waterbody. 

Anglers must use catch-and-release methods only, involving single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms as bait is not permitted.

For more information contact IFI’s Ballina office on (0) 962 2788, or ballina@fisheriesireland.ie.