LOUGH SHEELIN DESINIGNATED TROUT FISHERY
OPEN SEASON: March 1st - October 12th
SPECIES: Large Brown Trout averaging about 3lbs with fish to 10lbs and larger possible,
Pike in season subject to regulations and close season.
Important: Anglers please note that Lough Sheelin is classed as a trout fishery which permits pike angling subject to regulations for the fishery. All angling here closes on October 12th, including pike fishing. CLICK HERE for more information on Lough Sheelin. Also see GUIDE TO MIDLAND FISHERIES GROUP and select the Inny Catchment which is subject to a fishing permit charge
SIZE LIMIT TROUT: 14 inches. Daily Bag Limit: 3 trout
ACCESS: Good around the lake
PERMISSION TO FISH: This fishery is part of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board's 'Midland Fisheries Group' of controlled waters and anglers require a fishing permit (ticket charge) to fish here. SEE MAP OF CATCHMENTS IN THE MIDLAND FISHERIES GROUP OF WATERS which are covered by a fishing permit. RATES FOR 2010 are Adult Annual €39.00; Pensioner Annual €20.00;. Juvenile Annual €14.00 Juvenile 1 Day €2.00 Day Permit €10.00 Visitors 21 Day: €20.00. You can purchase a fishing permit ONLINE using your credit card or laser card.
OTHER FEES: A Share Certificate payable to the North Shannon Development Co-Operative Society is required to fish the Upper Shannon and tributaries located upstream of Banagher Bridge on the Shannon in Co Offaly. Please contact the Co -Operative Society for up to date information on applicable rates etc as the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board do not issue or administer Share Certificates. Contact Mr Martin Mc Enroe Athlone Telephone Number: 090 64 94800
ANGLING METHODS: Please refer to Bye Law 790 below
BYE-LAW NO 790, 2003 introduces measures to control fishing in Lough Sheelin as follows:
(a) prohibits the use or possession of any insect larvae, pupae, maggots, chandlers, casters and or ground bait on or near the waters
(b) prohibits the taking of trout less than 14 inches in length,
(c) prohibits a person from taking more than 3 trout in any day,
(d) prohibits a person from using more than 1 rod at any one time,
(e) prohibits trolling from 1 March to 30 April inclusive,
(f) prohibits trolling from 1 May to 15 June between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day,
(g) prohibits trolling from a boat being propelled by an engine from 1 May to 15 June between 06.00 hours and 19.00 hours on any day,
(h) prohibits trolling from a boat being propelled by an engine from 16 June to 12 October between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day.
N.B. It is the policy of the Board to seek a voluntary return of all Brown Trout between September 30th and October 12th as a conservation measure - thank you for your co-operation
ANGLING RULES
Anglers can only fish one rod per angler
Rods must not be left unattended.
All under sized fish must be returned to the water with as little injury as possible
The Management reserve the right to refuse and revoke a permit to anyone violating, these regulations or acting in a manner detrimental to the fishery, fishing or the surrounding countryside.
Anglers who are found to have acted in an 'unsporting manner' may have their permit revoked

By-Laws
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FISHERIES ACTS, 1959 TO 2001

SHANNON FISHERIES REGION
LOUGH SHEELIN CONTROL OF FISHING BYE-LAW NO. 790, 2003

I, John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 9 (as amended by section 3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1962 (No. 31 of 1962)) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 (No. 14 of 1959), section 33 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1962, the Fisheries (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 1977 (S.I. No. 30 of 1977) (as adapted by the Marine (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 307 of 2002)) and the Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 374 of 2002), hereby make the following Bye-law:

1.         This Bye-law may be cited as the Shannon Fisheries Region – (Control of Fishing in Lough Sheelin) Bye-law No. 790, 2003.

2.         This Bye –law shall come into operation on 1 May 2003.

3.         In this Bye-law –

“specified waters” means all the waters of Lough Sheelin in the No. 8 or Limerick District;

“troll” means to fish from a boat, which is being rowed or mechanically propelled through water, by trailing or towing, on, in, under or through the water, a fishing line with a hook, bait or lure attached, and “trolling” shall be construed accordingly.

1. Notwithstanding anything contained in any Bye-law controlling fishing in the specified waters, a person shall not -

(a)        use, or attempt to use, in the specified waters any insect larvae, pupae, maggots, chandlers, casters and or ground bait in fishing for any kind of fish,

(b)       have in his or her possession on or near the specified waters any insect larvae, pupae, maggots, chandlers, casters and or ground bait,

(c)        take, in the specified waters any trout of less than 14 inches in length measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail,

            (d)       take in the specified waters on any day more than 3 trout,

            (e)       use in the specified waters more than 1 rod at any one time,

(f)         troll during the period from 1 March to 30 April in any year, both said dates included,

(g)        troll in the specified waters during the period from 1 May to 15 June in any year between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day,

(h)        troll from a boat being propelled by an engine during the period from 1 May to 15 June in any year between 06.00 hours and 19.00 hours on any day,

(i)         troll from a boat being propelled by an engine during the period from 16 June to 12 October in any year between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day.

5.         Any trout taken inadvertently in contravention of article 4 of this Bye-law shall be handled carefully and returned without avoidable injury to the waters immediately upon being taken.

GIVEN under my hand,
this 1 day of May 2003.

John Browne

Minister of State at the Department of Communications,
Marine and Natural Resources

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Bye-law and does not purport to be a legal interpretation).

This Bye-law introduces measures to control fishing in Lough Sheelin as follows:

(a)       prohibits the use or possession of any insect larvae, pupae, maggots, chandlers, casters and or ground bait on or near the waters
(b)       prohibits the taking of trout less than 14 inches in length,
(c)        prohibits a person from taking more than 3 trout in any day,
(d)       prohibits a person from using more than 1 rod at any one time,
(e)       prohibits trolling from 1 March to 30 April inclusive,
(f)         prohibits trolling from 1 May to 15 June between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day,
(g)       prohibits trolling from a boat being propelled by an engine from 1 May to 15 June between 06.00 hours and 19.00 hours on any day,
(h)        prohibits trolling from a boat being propelled by an engine from 16 June to 12 October between 19.00 hours in any day and 06.00 hours the following day.

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