The Blackwater enters the head of Kenmare Bay — a Kerry spate river, and not to be confused with the Munster Blackwater away to the east. It is open for 2026. Spring fish come first, then grilse and sea trout running on a flood; without a rise of water there is little doing. Permits through the Blackwater Tavern and locally around Kenmare. Carry the Salmon and Sea Trout State Licence. Atlantic salmon and sea trout are managed under IFI's Wild Salmon & Sea Trout Tagging Scheme — many rivers are catch-and-release and harvest is allowed only where a confirmed surplus exists, so check the river's current status before fishing.
A Kerry old-red-sandstone spate river with acidic, soft water — stoneflies, sedges and terrestrials carry the small resident trout, while the main quarry is flood-run salmon and sea trout taking traditional flies, not feeding on a hatch.
- Old red sandstone