keeping sea trout under 40 cms?

hi folks

a while back i contacted the CFB about sea trout regulations, and in response to one of my queries was informed that there is no minimum size for sea trout, and that while sea trout over 40cm had to be tagged, sea trout under this size could also be kept/killed, but did not need to be tagged.

yet i have also heard 2nd hand of anglers being fined for keeping 'undersize sea-trout'.

the original mail from the CFB went down with my last computer, and was wondering if anyone here working for the CFB or in the know could confirm the status on retaining sea trout under 40cms.

davy

hi down in the wexford area you are allowed 2 sea trout under 40 cm per day any over 40 cm returned with no salmon fishing you dont need or get any tags for them now how small you take them im not sure

i have also heard 2nd hand of anglers being fined for keeping 'undersize sea-trout'.
davy

Did you hear if they were fishing freshwater or saltwater?
I'm getting fairly confused on the whole issue myself....

hi hugo

the supposed fines were from fish caught in the moy estuary.

just wondering if its a local bylaw thing or what...

d

That fits in with what I was told in the Ballina fisheries office - no fish under 40cm, and all above to be tagged. But quite a few local fishermen (licensed) have told me you can keep the two wee ones a day like Willie (Steyrman) said. I'll drop in to the office again and get a definitive answer - if they have one...

i have talked with the water keppers in kerry you only need a licence to fis in fresh water.
now where the fun begins is seson. no licence for fish cought at sea under 40cms but no one is sure what to due when lager fish are cought out of seson

i have talked with the water keppers in kerry you only need a licence to fis in fresh water.
now where the fun begins is seson. no licence for fish cought at sea under 40cms but no one is sure what to due when lager fish are cought out of seson

Not true. A licence is required to fish for Salmon and Sea Trout. That's the start and end of the story.

While it is true that there is no national regulation on minimum size for sea trout, there are a number of local byelaws relating to size limits and bag limits. The onus is on the angler to ascertain local rules and regulations before fishing.
For example, all sea trout, no matter what size, must be released in the western fisheries region, basically from north Clare to Clew Bay. I know there is a local byelaw in Waterville with a size limit of 10 inches (IIRC) and a bag limit also.
In rivers that are open for salmon fishing, any sea trout over 40cm that are killed must be tagged. There is no requirement to tag sea trout under 40cm.
In rivers that are closed, or catch and release for salmon, sea trout over 40cm may not be killed. Sea trout under 40cm may be taken if allowed under local regulations.

cheers Bradan

i appreciate the clarification,

davy