IFI opens first draw for Kerry salmon anglers for 2025
- Brown tag conservation regulations come into force on Roughty River
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today opened the first draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon from Kerry’s Roughty River.
‘Brown tag’ regulations apply to the river catchment from March 15th, 2025, and will remain in place until September 30th, 2025, when the salmon fishing season ends.
Anglers interested in entering the first lottery draw for a Roughty River brown tag can apply at the IFI website from today, January 31st, until midnight on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025.
Commenting, Sean Long South-Western Director at IFI stated: “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 Roughty River to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting.
“Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over-exploitation, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.”
A total of 74 brown tags will be available in 2025. They will be distributed to anglers with a valid rod licence via four draws during the season.
The first draw on Wednesday, February 26th, will be for 19 brown tags.
Anglers may only receive one brown tag per season for use on the River Roughty catchment.
Those who receive the tags through the lottery system should place them on the fish – along with a blue tag – as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.
Anglers not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon on the Roughty River on a catch-and-release basis, where the salmon 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 Macroom office on (026) 41221, or at macroom@fisheriesireland.ie.
