Best Wicklow Fishing Spots 2026

Updated for the 2026 season. Late May is when summer species light up Wicklow marks: mackerel at the harbours, pollack and wrasse on the rocks, bass and smoothhound on the beaches. Co. Wicklow offers more than 40km of east-facing coastline, and this ranked guide to the 10 best shore marks draws on local knowledge of where to fish through the peak months ahead.

1. Greystones South Beach (The Hungry Acre)

The most famous shore fishing venue in Wicklow, host to European and World Shore Fishing Championships and the benchmark against which every other Wicklow mark is measured. On this north Wicklow shingle belt, regional sources document the falling tide as the most productive window; an easterly blow that colours the water still does the heavy lifting for bites. Expect codling, coalfish, whiting, dabs and dogfish through winter, with bass and mackerel in season. In flat, calm conditions it can be frustratingly slow, which is where the nickname comes from. Fish it after a blow and the reputation becomes clear.

2. Brittas Bay

A 5km sweep of clean sandy beach south of Wicklow town and one of the premier bass and smoothhound venues on the east coast. The southern corner is the most productive section and has produced specimen bass over 5kg. Avoid daytime fishing in July and August, fish evening and night tides instead. The flooding spring tide on an autumn evening is the classic Brittas Bay formula.

3. Kilcoole Beach

Long shingle and sand south of Greystones with the best tope fishing on the Wicklow coast. The area around the Breaches, where a drainage channel meets the beach, concentrates bass and tope in autumn. October night sessions on big spring tides with whole mackerel are the formula for tope. Railway crossing applies, cross carefully and close all gates.

4. Greystones Harbour & Pier

The best all-round beginner and family mark on the coast. Walk-on access, no railway crossing, and reliable species year round. Mackerel flood in from June through September. Pollack, coalfish, dogfish and wrasse all feature. Night sessions in autumn produce bass and whiting. An outstanding first mark and a consistently productive one at every level.

5. Wicklow Head

The most easterly point of the Wicklow coast and a strong rock mark for pollack, coalfish, wrasse, bass and mackerel. Not for beginners, the rocky access and strong tidal run demand experience and care. But for the angler who respects the mark, the species quality and variety is the best on the coast. Dawn sessions in settled summer conditions are outstanding.

6. The Murrough

Eleven miles of continuous shingle and sand between Greystones and Wicklow town, one of the longest uninterrupted shore fishing coastlines in Ireland. Multiple access points along the R750. Whiting, flounder, bass and dogfish are reliable through autumn and winter. A serious match fishing coastline that has hosted international competitions.

7. Jack's Hole

A rocky cove between Silver Strand and Brittas Bay with outstanding autumn bass on lures tight to the kelp edges. September and October are the peak months. The mixed rock and sand ground also produces wrasse in summer and occasional specimen smoothhound. Less well known than the main beaches, which means more space and less pressure on the fish.

8. Wicklow Town Pier

Accessible pier mark with the Anglers Rest tackle shop nearby, the best-stocked shop on the coast. Mackerel, pollack, coalfish, whiting, dogfish and flatfish all feature through the year. Good night sessions from autumn onwards. A reliable fallback when weather prevents fishing the open beaches.

9. Silver Strand

Clean sandy beach south of Wicklow Head producing bass, flounder and dogfish, the spot guide still calls out high water and two hours either side on this shallow shelf, but the wider Greystones to Wicklow belt is documented ebb-led after an easterly colours the water; treat spring and autumn night surf as the classic rough-weather bass window here. The southern end close to Jack's Hole is the most productive section. A reliable autumn and winter mark that is significantly less pressured than Brittas Bay to the south. Easy access from the car park.

10. Bray Head Rocks

The northernmost quality rock mark on the Wicklow coast. Wrasse, pollack and mackerel in summer, with bass on lures in autumn. The rocky platforms below the cliff face access require care and should not be attempted in any swell. Best suited to experienced rock anglers in settled conditions. The deeper gullies produce large wrasse that rarely feature at the more sheltered marks further south.