River Owenmore (Mayo)

River Owenmore (Mayo) Guide

The River Owenmore is a big spate river, which rises in the Nephin Beg mountain range in North West Mayo. It takes a Westerly course through some bogs and moors before passing by the town of Bangor Erris, on its way into the sea Tullaghan Bay.

Perfect fly water on the Owenmore Mayo.

The Owenmore is just over 10 miles in length but the majority of it is in private hands and not let. However there is a beautiful 4 mile stretch around the Bangor Erris area, which is let by the Bangor Erris Angling Club.

The Owenmore near Bangor Erris.

This club stretch is fly fishing only and the water is just perfect for that method. The club can also arrange fishing on Carrowmore lake (through the fishery manager), which is just 2km North of the town.

The banks of the Owenmore complete with yellow Whins.

The Owenmore gets a good run of spring and autumn fish, which can get up to 20lbs. The spring fishing gets good from mid-March on and the autumn fish arrive in August. The river gets a great run of Grilse, which arrive in early June and continue running right throughout the summer. There is also a significant run of Sea Trout from June until the end of the season. These average around ¾ lb.

A nice pool on the Owenmore River.

In the summer Grilse season, the fishing is let in two 8 hour sessions each day; the first from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second from 2 to 10 p.m. You can fish it with anything from a 10 footer to a 15 footer, depending on the height of the spate. As with most Irish rivers, shrimp flies are the order of the day, but you can also have success with the Garry Dog, Thunder & Lightening and the Hairy Mary.

One lucky fisherman!

River Owenmore (Mayo) Tributaries

River Munhin
River Oweniny
River Srahmeen
River Srahnakilly

River Owenmore (Mayo) Neighbouring Rivers

River Ballinglen
River Glenamoy
River Glencullin
River Owenduff
River Owengarve

Fishing the River Owenmore (Mayo)

River Owenmore (Mayo) Season

Salmon - 1st February - 30th September
Sea Trout - 1st February - 30th September

River Owenmore (Mayo) Methods

Fly Fishing

River Owenmore (Mayo) Fishing Authority

To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Owenmore (Mayo) at:

North Western Fisheries Management

River Owenmore (Mayo) Permits

As well as a rod license, you'll need a permit to fish the River Owenmore (Mayo). You can get permits from any of the following distributors:

Seamus Henry, Bangor Erris Angling Club
Bangor Erris
Email: info@bangorerrisangling.com
Tel: +353 (0)97 83487

River Owenmore (Mayo) Clubs

Bangor Erris Angling Club - River Owenmore (Mayo)
Seamus Henry
Bangor Erris
Email: info@bangorerrisangling.com
Tel: +353 (0)97 83487
Web: Bangor Erris Angling Club

The club maintains about 4 miles of fishing in the middle reaches of the river.

River Owenmore (Mayo) Ratings

River Owenmore (Mayo) Fishing Conditions

River Owenmore (Mayo) Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm).

NOTE: The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries. You should check locally when buying your permit.

Subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish, an angler may take:

- A season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May.
- A daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August.
- A daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- You must use single hooks and not use worms as bait, once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods.
- Please note that no sea trout of any size caught in the Western Region or the Clew Bay area of the North Western Region can be retained.

After the daily bag limit has been taken, anglers are permitted to fish catch and release, using single barbless hooks and there is a ban on the use of worms.

Local Restrictions

Some rivers impose their own local restrictions so when you are going to buy your permit for the River Owenmore (Mayo), please check with the distributor.