If you’re on the east coast of Ireland (and chances are high that you will be, as the capital of Dublin is situated there), you can find many places to fish. Just north of Dublin in County Meath, for example, you will find Clarke’s Sports Den, where you can obtain both advice and a permit to fish.

Angling is regulated in the Republic of Ireland by the Central Fisheries Board, which focuses primarily on the provision of advice to the government on protection and conservation of fish stocks in Ireland. Regulation of the fishing industry is important in Ireland, given its reputation as a haven for nature and its rural identity on the international stage. Although endowed with a moist and changeable climate, Ireland prides itself on its outdoor pursuits, fishing being among them. So you will need to check if the kind of fishing you intend to enjoy while in Ireland requires a permit from one of the seven Regional Fisheries Boards located around the country. Note too that in 2010, the seven regions and the CFB are expected to be amalgamated into one body – the Inland Fisheries Ireland organisation. Sea trout and salmon fishing require permits. These are game fish. Irish salmon has a world class reputation, and scientists have expressed alarm in recent years at the decline in the return of wild salmon to Irish waters. As a result, there is now a national quota on the number of salmon that can be fished in Ireland which must be adhered to by anglers and other fishermen.

Coarse fishing is the term used to describe fishing for other kinds of fish such as bream and eels. However, there are species from both categories protected in Ireland; indeed, all freshwater fish fall under some kind of protection, so make sure you do your research before you set out and make sure you’re not breaking any laws. You’ll need to get a state licence to fish for salmon or sea trout anywhere in Ireland.

So where to go fishing? County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland and on the other side of the island of Ireland to Dublin, is known as one of the most watery of the counties of Ireland, and both fishing and boating can be done on Lough Erne. Lower Lough Erne has more than ninety islands, Upper Lough Erne more than 150, and there are guided cruises on offer as well as boat rental from angling centres such as the one in Belleek.

Meanwhile County Down offers trout fishing along the Shimna River on the Mourne Mountains. You’ll get permits on Newcastle’s Main Street in the Four Seasons.

Lough Ree in Athlone is one place from where you can strike out along the Shannon, and there are boats of various kinds to rent, as well as cruises that may take as long as half a day to complete. If you rent your own boat, make sure to bring a rod along if you want to enjoy the fishing.

County Leitrim with its loughs and rivers is an oft overlooked part of the west of Ireland. Boaters can go out on cruises and the fish are plentiful along the Leitrim waterways.