Learn · Rules

Sea fishing rules in Ireland.

The regulations that actually matter for shore anglers on the Wicklow coast, without wading through PDFs.

Quick answer

No licence is required for Irish sea fishing from the shore. Bass and pollack carry the strictest bag limits: two bass per 24 hours when retention is allowed, with Feb to Mar catch-and-release only and no angling in May to June, plus three pollack per day from June 2026.

Minimum sizes apply under EU MCRS for the Irish EEZ, including bass, pollack and mackerel. Each guide below covers one topic in plain English.

Tomorrow's plan Back to Learn

Four guides

Pick the rule you need.

One topic per page. Follow through for species guides and Wicklow marks once you know where you stand legally.

01Licences and permitsNo licence for tidal shore fishing, but freshwater and salmon rules differ. Start here if you are new.02Bass rulesBag limit, minimum size, EU catch-and-release window, and the May spawning closure.03Pollack rulesThree per day from 1 June 2026, then catch and release under the 2026 pollack bye-law.04Minimum sizesStatutory minimum landing sizes versus voluntary catch-and-release norms on Irish shores.

Official source

Check IFI before you keep fish.

Bylaws can change. Inland Fisheries Ireland publishes the current sea angling regulations. fisheriesireland.ie

NEXT STEP

Rules are national. Marks are local.

Once you know the limits, pair them with scored marks and species seasons on the Wicklow coast.