The Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards ceremony for the 2023 season will be held in the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown on 17 February 2024 at 14.30 ..read more

Irish Specimen Fish Atlas ISFC & IFI Joint publication Distribution and frequency of large angler caught fish 1955-2019 Recreational anglers in Ireland have been recording their record and specimen fish captures with the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) for more than 60 years. This comprehensive archive is presented here in the form of a Specimen Fish Atlas, which furnishes both an angler-centric output and a scientific evaluation of the specimen fish information. The Atlas, covering the period between 1955 and 2019, includes species-specific reports and trend analyses for specimen-si ..read more

 Anglers fishing Irish waters caught hundreds of huge fish in 2021 according to the just-published Irish Specimen Fish Committee report. One new Irish record was set by Jim Clohessy from Cork who smashed the existing record for a rare species, the Stone Basse taken when fishing off Cork Harbour. Download the report Over 470 exceptionally large fish of different species were caught by anglers from venues throughout Ireland in 2021. The main species were smaller shark species like Spurdog and, in freshwater, Tench, Roach Bream Hybrids and Brown trout dominated.  All fish were ..read more

Colour tends not to be a reliable distinguishing feature for many species. For these two rockling species, which are on the Irish Specimen Fish Committee listings, colouration is very relevant. Both body shapes are suggestive of small ling and both are scaleless with a single dorsal fin which extends for approx. 40% of the body. Both have two barbels on the snout and one under the chin. Colours vary being typically ranging from yellow to brown to reddish for both with pale ventral colours. The three bearded rocking can also be distinctly dark orange. Large chocolate ..read more

You will all delighted to hear that the 2020 Irish Specimen Fish Committee Report is now available online.   Despite the COVID-19 pandemic anglers fishing in Irish waters in 2020 caught hundreds of large fish according to the just-published Irish Specimen Fish Committee Report. One new record was set and over 300 exceptionally large fish of different species were caught by anglers from venues throughout Ireland. The main species were shark species like Smooth-hound and Spurdog and, in freshwater, Pike and Brown Trout dominated.  All fish were caught, weighed, measured and ..read more

All anglers seeking to claim specimens in 2023 should be aware of the rule changes for the coming year ..read more

2022 Irish Specimen fish report online now - download yours here ..read more

The Irish Specimen Fish Committee have announced that the awards ceremony for the 2022 season will be held in the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown on the 11th of March at 14.00 ..read more

The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) held its Specimen Fish Awards Day on Saturday 5th November 2022 at the Clayton Hotel, Sandyford, Co, Dublin. Successful anglers from all over Ireland who caught specimen fish in lakes, rivers or in the sea in 2021 were presented their awards. To find a photo of your presentation follow the link below: ISFC Annual Awards ..read more

Reminder to Please get your claims in now to avoid the rush at end October closing date. The deadline for submitting specimen claims is approaching fast. If you were lucky enough to catch a specimen fish this year and want to claim it, get your paperwork into the ISFC as soon as possible so that the ISFC can assess it. All specimen claims to be submitted by 31st Oct. To speed up the process this year you can email a copy of your completed claim form to william.roche@fisheriesireland.ie Contact details for the Irish Specimen Fish ..read more