Rivers in Galway, Mayo, Cork, and Kerry accounted for more than half of all salmon angling in Ireland last year.
The River Corrib accounted for 5.9% percent of all salmon angling in 2022, the fourth highest level in the country.
The only rivers more popular with salmon anglers were the River Moy, Co. Mayo (18%), River Blackwater (Lismore), Co Cork (16.1%), and River Laune, Co Kerry (7.3%).
Last year anglers in Ireland released back 54 percent of their wild salmon catch, compared to 52 percent in 2021, and 51 percent in 2020.
Barry Fox, Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said, “Catch-and-release of salmonids in Irelands rivers and lakes is becoming the norm.”
“It is very encouraging to see the year-on-year increase in the catch-and-release of salmon. This method supports the angling community to sustainably fish, and conserves our salmon stocks.”
“Wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout continue to face numerous risks, including climate change, water pollution, and illegal fishing.”
“I commend all our stakeholders who participate in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme – which limits the number of fish that can be retained – and helps ensure its continued success.”
The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics Report 2022 outlines the total number of fish caught by all methods (commercial and angling, including catch and release) was 26,715 salmon, and 2,082 sea trout.
This is a reduction of 14 percent on the total salmon catch recorded in 2021 (31,148), but an increase of 30 percent of the total sea trout catch recorded that year (1,595).
Anglers from 42 different countries held salmon rod licences in 2022.
Most of these licences were sold to residents of the Republic of Ireland (66.5pc), followed by Northern Ireland(11pc), and England/Scotland/Wales(6.6pc).
Hundreds of anglers from France, Germany, and the United States also bought salmon licences in 2022 during trips here.
