The River Erriff system, designated as The National Salmonid Index Catchment, is one of the premier recreational salmonid fisheries in Ireland holding good stocks of Atlantic salmon, sea trout and brown trout. The system is located in County Mayo in the west of Ireland, near the village of Leenane (53° 37' 0.00" N: 9° 40' 17.10" W).  The catchment comprises the Erriff River, a number of its tributaries such as the Black, Owenmore and Derrycraff rivers and two lakes, Tawnyard Lough and Lough Glenawough, encompassing a total catchment area of 167.8 km2. The river discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via Killary Harbour fjord at Aasleagh Falls. Salmon aquaculture and mussel farming are active in the fjord.

Map of the National Salmonid Index Catchment (River Erriff system) showing location of the research station and principal trapping facilities.
Map of the National Salmonid Index Catchment (River Erriff system) showing location of the research station and principal trapping facilities.

Glendavock River rising in the upper catchment of the River Erriff system.
Glendavock River rising in the upper catchment of the River Erriff system.
Derrintin (left) and Tawnyard (right) Loughs in the upper catchment of the River Erriff system.
Derrintin (left) and Tawnyard (right) Loughs in the upper catchment of the River Erriff system.
Main channel of the River Erriff system.
Main channel of the River Erriff system.
Main channel of the River Erriff system.
Main channel of the River Erriff system.
Lower reaches of River Erriff system at Aasleagh Falls (angling Beat 9).
Lower reaches of River Erriff system at Aasleagh Falls (angling Beat 9).
Killary Harbour Fjord with salmon farm installation in foreground.
Killary Harbour Fjord with salmon farm installation in foreground.

Follow the Erriff river from source to sea. An aerial fly through of the National Salmonid Index Catchment and its research infrastructure.

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