Angling News
How Many Fish in our Biggest Lake?
6, Feb 2012 - 23:05

Scientists to Carry Out Survey of Trout Stocks on Lough Corrib

A major new survey of fish populations on Lough Corrib is set to be carried out in the next few weeks. Research staff at Inland Fisheries Ireland will be involved in the survey, the first major study into adult fish stocks since the last comprehensive study undertaken in 1996. The survey will take place from the end of February and for the first 2 weeks of March, weather depending, and will involve an extensive effort by teams of scientists and fisheries staff.

The survey involves netting fish at locations all around Lough Corrib, and while most nets will be fishing on the bottom, nets placed in shallow areas will be near the surface. All water users are asked to keep an eye out for survey nets, which will be marked with brightly coloured marker buoys, and will be clearly marked IFI SURVEY. Each location will be fished only once overnight and nets should be avoided and not disturbed.

In advance of the survey, Inland Fisheries Ireland is holding a public information evening for anglers and other lake users. In attendance at the meeting will be Dr. Martin O'Grady, the senior scientist responsible, as well as representatives from CAISIE, the group targeting invasive species in Ireland, who will give an update on weed control operations on the lake. Information on this and other programmes is available on www.fisheriesireland.ie.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday 13 February at 7pm in the Menlo Park Hotel. All those interested in the work of IFI, and the current planned survey, are welcome to attend.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.