Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon are the largest of the salmon species. They are one of Lough Corrib’s most iconic fish and if you're lucky, you might spot them leaping over the Salmon Weir Bridge in May/June as they return to spawning grounds upstream. Atlantic salmon have been nicknamed the ‘King of Fish’ for their ability to swim against the current and find their way back to their spawning grounds against all odds. They are also noted for their ‘anadromous’ nature (ability to live in both freshwater and saltwater environments). According to Salmon Watch Ireland, the Irish Atlantic salmon population has decreased from 2 million to 250,000 since the 1970s. Unfortunately, this means that spotting salmon in the River Corrib has become much more challenging in recent decades.