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Fishing licence in Northern Ireland: what anglers need

Sea fishing needs no licence unless you fish for salmon or sea trout. In freshwater you need a rod licence per rod plus a permit; licences from Great Britain or Ireland are not valid.

Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.

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Sea
free
Freshwater
licence

Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Northern Ireland?

Sea angling needs no rod licence unless you fish for salmon or sea trout. Salmon and sea trout caught in the sea or in the DAERA area must always be returned unharmed.

Source: nidirect, Sea angling, abgerufen 13.10.2026

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Northern Ireland?

For lakes and rivers you need a rod licence for each rod plus a permit or day ticket for the water. You cannot buy a permit without a licence. In the DAERA area the licence is needed over age 12; in the Loughs Agency area (Foyle and Carlingford) at any age.

Source: nidirect, Angling rod licences explained

How much is a fishing licence in Northern Ireland?

DAERA season licence, game (1 rod, game or coarse) or coarse (2 rods, coarse only): £17.00 each. Juvenile 12 to 18: £2.00. 60 or over, or disabled: £5.00. Under 12: free. Short term: 3 days £3.50, 14 days £9.00 (game or coarse). Endorsement for the other area (DAERA or Loughs Agency): £1.00. Permits cost extra.

Source: nidirect, Game rod licence prices (DAERA)

Where do you buy a fishing licence for Northern Ireland?

Online at nidirect (DAERA), where you can also buy a licence and permit together. For Foyle and Carlingford use the Loughs Agency eLicence portal.

Source: nidirect, Angling rod licences explained, abgerufen 13.10.2026

What about children, teens and seniors?

DAERA area: no licence under 12, juvenile licence for £2.00 from 12 to 18, concession for £5.00 from 60. Loughs Agency area: a licence is needed at any age. Each person may hold only one concessionary licence per year.

Source: nidirect, Game rod licence prices (DAERA)

What applies to visitors from abroad?

Licences from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland are not valid in Northern Ireland. For visitors there are short-term licences for 3 or 14 consecutive days; you still need a permit as well.

Source: nidirect, Angling rod licences explained

Which catch and take-home rules apply?

The game licence is valid for the game season, usually March to October; the coarse licence for the calendar year. A second game rod needs a second licence, and so does a third coarse rod. Release salmon and sea trout in the DAERA area and at sea, and submit a catch return at the end of the season. You must not sell rod-caught salmon in the DAERA area.

Source: nidirect, Game rod licence prices

What else should you know?

Northern Ireland has two authorities: DAERA and the cross-border Loughs Agency for Foyle and Carlingford. With the £1.00 endorsement you can fish in both areas.

Source: nidirect, Angling rod licences explained

Not confirmed yet

2026 prices of Loughs Agency licences not found. The nidirect price pages show no year. Catch limits for sea fish (for example sea bass) are not listed on nidirect.

Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.

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Sources (5)

Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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