IFI opens second draw for River Easkey salmon tags for 2025
- Brown tag conservation regulations in effect at the Co. Sligo river
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has today opened the second lottery draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon at the River Easkey in Co. Sligo.
Brown tag regulations remain in effect at the River Easkey from February 1st until September 30th, 2025, when the salmon fishing season ends.
Anglers wanting to enter an April 24th lottery draw for one of 15 brown tags can apply at the IFI website from today, March 21st, until midnight on Sunday, April 20th, 2025.
The Easkey River, Co Sligo
Commenting, Mary Walsh IFI Western region director (Ballina) said: “The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers is declining. The risk of over-fishing puts stocks in further jeopardy.
“Brown tag measures for salmon and sea trout are required on the Easkey River to conserve stocks and prevent accidental over-harvesting.
“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.”
Enter the brown tag lottery draw
Anglers wishing to catch and keep a salmon from the Easkey River can enter a draw for a 'brown tag'.
A total of 60 brown tags are available for the River Easkey catchment in 2025.
Anglers who receive brown tags via the lottery should place them on a salmon or sea trout – along with a blue tag – as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.
Tags will be distributed to anglers with a valid rod licence via four draws in the 2025 season, with 15 brown tags available to be won in each draw.
The first draw was on February 15th and the second draw is on April 24th, to be followed by draws in June and July.
Each angler is limited to one entry per lottery and is eligible to win one brown tag per season.
Any anglers not allocated a brown tag are permitted to fish for salmon and sea trout at the River Easkey 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)96 22788, or ballina@fisheriesireland.ie
Fishing licences
Before fishing for salmon and sea trout at Easkey River, you must be in possession of a valid licence.
