Freshwater fish species

Compared to the rest of Europe Ireland has relatively few species of freshwater fish. This is primarily due to the isolation of Ireland's rivers and lakes during the last ice age.

Terry Jackson dace of .362kg, R. Nore

It has been argued that the only true native freshwater species are arctic char, pollan, eel, brown trout, and salmon. Most of the coarse species were introduced by man in the Middle Ages. More recent introductions include roach and dace in the 50's and 60's. Fish stocking and introductions (legal and illegal) have extended the range of many coarse species and now roach and bream are found all over the country. Rudd is quite widespread but tench and carp have a more patchy distribution.

Of the 20 freshwater species known to inhabit this island the ISFC only recognises 11. Two hybrids are also recognised, although three are know to occur. Char, pollan and lamprey are so rarely caught (and to some degree under threat) that they are excluded and the other species are of little angling value as they are so small (e.g. minnow, gudgeon, stickleback, stoneloach).

Currently salmon and pike are Ireland's biggest freshwater fish. The salmon record is virtually unassailable but the pike record will regularly be broken if anglers' tales are to be believed...

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