Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened the fourth and final draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon from Cork’s Lower River Lee in 2024.
‘Brown tag’ regulations came into force on the river from 1 February and will remain in place until 30 September, when the salmon fishing season ends.
A total of 218 brown tags are available for the season. They have been distributed to anglers with a rod licence via a series of draws during the 2024 angling season.
Following the third issue of tags in early June, the remaining 53 brown tags will be awarded through the fourth online lottery on Wednesday 24 July.
The measures are part of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023 signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD.
Anglers interested in entering the fourth draw can apply using IFI’s online link until midnight on Sunday 21 July.
Anglers may only receive one brown tag per season for use on the River Lee catchment.
Successful anglers who receive the tags shall place them on the fish, along with a blue tag as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.
Anglers not allocated a brown tag are permitted to fish for salmon on a catch-and-release basis on the River Lee catchment, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.
Anglers must use catch-and-release methods only, involving single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms as bait is not permitted.
Full application details are available through fisheriesireland.ie, by phoning IFI’s Macroom office on (026) 41221 or by mailing [email protected].
