Ireland is a dream destination for anglers chasing trophy pike. With its countless lakes, winding rivers, and ideal climate, it’s one of the best places in Europe to target this fierce predator.
Pike is a powerful and crafty fish that demands both skill and the right gear. To boost your chances of landing a monster, let’s break down the best fishing techniques, top lures to use, and how to pick the perfect spot depending on the season.
Where to Find Pike in Ireland?
Ireland’s rivers and lakes are packed with pike, and some grow to truly impressive sizes. The abundance of forage fish in these waters helps these predators thrive, making it a top destination for pike fishing.
You’ll find pike in both the deep, calm waters of lakes and the fast-flowing northern rivers. Their favorite hiding spots include weedy areas, submerged snags, rocky structures, and dense coastal vegetation—perfect places for ambushing prey.
Pike activity shifts with the seasons. In spring and autumn, they hunt aggressively, while in summer, warmer water can make them more sluggish. In winter, they tend to stay in deeper waters, where they can still be targeted with the right approach.
Equipment for pike fishing
Having the right equipment is key to landing a big pike. These predators are strong, aggressive, and have sharp teeth, so your gear needs to handle the challenge.
Choosing the Right Rod and Reel
A solid rod is a must for successful pike fishing. Medium to heavy-duty rods (rated for 20–80 g lures) work well whether you’re fishing from shore or a boat.
For reels, a baitcasting or high-quality spinning reel is the best choice. It should have a strong drag system to handle the intense fight that pike are known for.
Fishing Line and Leaders
Pike have razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws, so standard fishing line won’t cut it. A braided line (0.15–0.25 mm) is the best option—it’s tough, reliable, and offers great sensitivity.
When it comes to leaders, fluorocarbon or metal wire is a must. Pike can easily bite through regular monofilament, so using a 20–30 cm leader will help prevent losing your lure.
Tools for Safe Handling
To safely land and release a pike, it’s essential to have the right tools. A hook extractor, fishing gloves, and a gape (mouth expander) will help you handle the fish without injury to yourself or the pike.
Pike Fishing Methods in Ireland
One of the most popular techniques for catching pike is using spinning or oscillating lures. These lures create strong vibrations in the water, grabbing the attention of hungry predators. They work well in both clear and murky conditions.
For color selection:
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Silver, gold, and bright red are highly effective.
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On cloudy days, go for high-contrast colors to improve visibility.
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On sunny days, natural shades work best to mimic real baitfish.
Fishing with Live Bait
This technique is particularly effective for deep-water fishing. Roach, perch, or crucian carp are commonly used as live bait, and the key is to keep the fish active to attract pike.
Live bait is typically rigged on a treble or single hook and can be fished with either a float rig or bottom rig.
Float and Bottom Fishing for Pike
Float Fishing
Simple but effective, float fishing is ideal for shallow lakes and slow-moving rivers where pike ambush small fish. A sliding float allows you to adjust the bait depth easily.
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The best depth for live bait is around half a meter from the bottom, especially in areas with sparse vegetation.
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If pike aren’t biting, slightly adjust the depth or add gentle twitches to attract attention.
For this method, you’ll need:
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A sturdy rod (2.7–3.6 m)
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A high-quality reel with smooth drag
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A strong leader to prevent bite-offs
Bottom Fishing
This method is perfect for deep waters, especially in autumn and winter when pike move to greater depths. Using heavy sinkers helps keep the bait in place, even in strong currents.
One major advantage of bottom fishing is its effectiveness for catching inactive predators that don’t want to chase lures. Adjusting leader length and bait size can make a big difference in triggering strikes.
Need quality tackle? The Emerald Ripple store offers a wide range of gear and equipment for pike fishing in Ireland!
The best places to go pike fishing in Ireland
Famous pike ponds
Ireland is famous for its large lakes and rivers, where real trophy pike live.
The best places for pike fishing in Ireland:
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Lough Ree is one of the best reservoirs for trophy fishing. It is the third largest lake in Ireland, stretching across the counties of Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon. Deep areas, reed beds and numerous islands create excellent conditions for predators.
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Lough Derg is famous for its clear water, huge pikes and easy access for anglers. Pikes weighing more than 10 kg are often caught here, especially with large lures and live bait. The lake is well suited for fishing from a boat due to its numerous bays and shoals.
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The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland and offers a variety of fishing conditions. Pike can be found here in quiet backwaters with a slow current, as well as in deep areas where they hunt in solid underwater shelters. The best period for fishing is autumn and spring, when the predator becomes more active.
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Lough Erne is a unique system of upper and lower lakes located in County Fermanagh. Large pike are often caught here, and you can also find convenient places for shore fishing.
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Lough Mask and Lough Corrib are deep and fish-rich bodies of water that are particularly popular with spinning and fly fishing anglers. Due to the diverse bottom topography, both small and large pike can be found here.
How to identify promising locations depending on the season
In the spring, pike come closer to the shores, where the water warms up faster and fry become more accessible for hunting. At this time, wobblers and soft lures imitating small fish are effective.
In summer, the predator often hides in the shade of underwater plants or in deeper places with colder water. Jerk baits or pilchards work best, as they allow you to fish different horizons.
In the fall, pike become more aggressive - this is an ideal period for fishing with large silicone fish, live bait and heavy spoons. In winter, it is less active, and you should use slow lures or fishing with live bait in deep holes.
Influence of weather conditions on the choice of location
Strong winds can cause a change in fish behavior. In windy weather, the predator usually sticks to underwater shelters, and on calm days it can run aground.
During cloudy weather, pike are less cautious, so it is easier to catch them near the shoreline. On sunny days, it avoids bright light, hiding in shaded areas or at depth.
Changes in atmospheric pressure also affect the activity of the fish - when it decreases, the predator becomes more passive, while before a thunderstorm it can actively feed.
Fishing ethics and fish care
Responsible fishing helps to preserve the pike population and maintain the ecological balance of water bodies. Following the basic rules for handling fish ensures their survival after release and minimizes stress for the predator.
How to remove the hook correctly
Pike have sharp teeth and powerful jaws, so you need to remove the hook as carefully as possible. To do this, use a long extractor, pliers or a special mouth dilator (yawner) to prevent injury to your hands.
If the hook is deeply embedded, do not try to pull it out by force - this can severely damage the fish. In such cases, it is better to carefully bite the line or leash.
After removing the hook, the pike should be kept in the water for a while so that it can recover before swimming away. If the fish is very weakened, it can be gently moved back and forth to allow water to pass through the gills and saturate the body with oxygen.
Why is it worth releasing large fish?
In many water bodies in Ireland, the principle of "Catch & Release ” is applied. Large pikes play an important role in water bodies by controlling the population of other fish. They are also key for reproduction, so releasing trophy specimens helps maintain a healthy population.
Fishing regulations in Ireland
Fishing in Ireland is regulated by a number of laws that every angler needs to know. Violation of the rules may result in fines or confiscation of gear.
1. License and permits
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Pike fishing in most reservoirs is free, but fishing on some private lakes or national reservoirs may require a permit from local authorities.
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If you plan to fish for salmon or trout, you must purchase a license.
2. Restrictions on pike fishing
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The maximum permitted catch is 1 pike per day ( up to 50 cmin size).
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Fishing in excess of this limit is prohibited. It is recommended to release large pike to maintain the population.
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Tournaments and sport fishing are mostly conducted on a catch-and-release basis.
3. Prohibited fishing methods
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The use of live bait not caught in the reservoir is prohibited to avoid the spread of invasive fish species.
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Fishing with poisonous substances, electric shocks or explosive devices is prohibited.
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The use of baiting or other violent fishing methods is prohibited.
4. Seasonal restrictions
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Some water bodies may have seasonal restrictions, especially during the spawning season.
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It is important to check local regulations before fishing, as restrictions may vary from region to region.
5. Environmental protection
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It is forbidden to leave garbage or damage the natural environment.
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The use of eco-friendly hooks without barbs is encouraged as they are less likely to injure fish.
Before fishing, it's a good idea to check the official Inland Fisheries Ireland regulations and follow local laws. This helps avoid fines and ensures the protection of Ireland's natural waters.