Angling & Fishing on Achill

For fishing enthusiasts, the Atlantic waters around Achill provide one of the best sea angling grounds in Europe. Achill sea angling offers a large variety and size of species and the area has provided Ireland’s two shark records as well as many specimen claims. No fewer than 34 species of fish have been caught in Achill waters, including cod, ling, conger, pollock, wrasse, mackerel, skate, dogfish, ray, blue shark, thresher, and porbeagle sharks. In 1932 Dr. O’Donnel-Brown caught a record 365lb porbeagle shark off Achill, while in 1959 a record 206lb blue shark was caught locally by J. McMonagle. Other notable captures in recent years include a 17lb coalfish, 112lb blue shark, and 12lb pollack. Sea shore and beach angling can be carried out at various locations around Achill Island the the Curraun Peninsula. Maps showing the best shore fishing marks are available locally on Achill. Please note that life jackets should be worn when rock fishing as ocean swells can prove dangerous. Keel Lake, Lough Gall and Lough na Mbreac in the Valley are suitable for fishing for trout. A license is required for fresh water fishing on Achill, and these can be purchased from the Valley House at reasonable rates.