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70,336-acre Galway Bay. Aran West North saltwater fishing map with official INFOMAR survey bathymetry, measured-cell fishing spots, official fish evidence, seasonal forage guidance, access context and current-rule links. The aran west north trip-scale survey reach of Galway Bay, retaining only official survey-backed seabed cells that pass the Ireland release gates. The water tops out around 281 ft. The depth chart comes from INFOMAR (Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute) bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Drawn out, this is 70,219 acres of water rimmed by 127.1 miles of bank, with 9 islands in the mix. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 3.4) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. Roughly 11% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. Tip to tip the water measures near 16.5 mi with a 14.3-mi widest point. For a second option, Galway Bay - Aran East North lies 11 mi east.
Marine Institute spawning, nursery, observation and range layers support the principal surveyed pelagic and groundfish. IFI's national and regional sea-angling publications support additional habitat-compatible recreational targets. This is occurrence and search guidance, not equal abundance, a section-level population estimate or a promised catch. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| Mackerel (Atlantic Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| Pollack (Atlantic Pollock) | official species listing | — |
| Coalfish (Saithe (Coalfish)) | official species listing | — |
| Haddock (Haddock) | official species listing | — |
| Whiting (Whiting) | official species listing | — |
| Cod (Atlantic Cod) | official species listing | — |
| Plaice (European Plaice) | official species listing | — |
| Flounder (European Flounder) | official species listing | — |
| Thornback ray (Thornback Ray) | official species listing | — |
| Brill (Brill) | official species listing | — |
| Ling (Ling) | official species listing | — |
| Bass (European Seabass) | official species listing | — |
| Garfish (Garfish) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Early season atlantic mackerel use the shallows, holding in 5 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 15 to 80 ft, then a winter hold in 30 to 120 ft. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 14 ft that grades good for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a feather rig or a small vertical jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Mackerel feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Summer | 15 to 80 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (14 ft) | Feather rig, Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 10 to 65 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (14 ft) | Compact silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 30 to 120 ft | midday | Sharp break (14 ft) | Small deep jig |
Come spring, look for atlantic pollock tight to the bank in 8 to 100 ft. Expect a summer slide to 12 to 150 ft, then a winter hold in 35 to 220 ft. Start at Shoreline point. It's a point holding about 6 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A surface plug or a baitfish swimbait is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 100 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Sandeel-pattern lure, Soft-plastic shad |
| Summer | 12 to 150 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Surface plug, Baitfish swimbait |
| Fall | 15 to 160 ft | dawn | Sharp break (14 ft) | Metal jig, Minnow plug |
| Winter | 35 to 220 ft | midday | Sharp break (14 ft) | Slow metal jig, Weighted soft plastic |
In spring, saithe (coalfish) run shallow here, mostly 15 to 160 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 25 to 260 ft, and winter fish settle into 40 to 281 ft. INFOMAR measured current seam is the standout, a current seam at roughly 126 ft, rated prime for spring saithe (coalfish). Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a speed jig or a heavy paddletail most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 160 ft | dawn & dusk | INFOMAR measured current seam (126 ft) | Slim metal jig, Paddletail |
| Summer | 25 to 260 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (14 ft) | Speed jig, Heavy paddletail |
| Fall | 20 to 220 ft | dawn & dusk | INFOMAR measured current seam (126 ft) | Metal jig, Baitfish swimbait |
| Winter | 40 to 281 ft | midday | Deepest basin (281 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
Spring puts haddock in skinny water — 35 to 220 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 53 to 281 ft; cold water stacks them in 49 to 281 ft. Deepest basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 281 ft, rated prime for summer haddock. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A compact metal jig or a bottom rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 35 to 220 ft | dawn | Feeding flat (41 ft) | Small bottom jig, Beaded trace |
| Summer | 53 to 281 ft | dawn | Deepest basin (281 ft) | Compact metal jig, Bottom rig |
| Fall | 45 to 260 ft | midday | Feeding flat (41 ft) | Small vertical jig |
| Winter | 49 to 281 ft | midday | Deepest basin (281 ft) | Deep bottom jig |
Spring puts whiting in skinny water — 15 to 55 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 20 to 70 ft; cold water stacks them in 15 to 70 ft. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A small vertical jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 55 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small silver jig, Two-hook feather rig |
| Summer | 20 to 70 ft | dawn | open water | Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 10 to 60 ft | dusk | open water | Small silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 15 to 70 ft | dusk | open water | Compact vertical jig |
Come spring, look for atlantic cod tight to the bank in 20 to 100 ft. Expect a summer slide to 45 to 180 ft, then a winter hold in 50 to 220 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 14 ft of water and rates good come spring. Prime time lands in early morning. A heavy metal jig or a large soft-plastic jig is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 20 to 100 ft | dawn | Sharp break (14 ft) | Diamond jig, Heavy bucktail |
| Summer | 45 to 180 ft | dawn | INFOMAR measured channel edge (153 ft) | Heavy metal jig, Large soft-plastic jig |
| Fall | 25 to 140 ft | dawn | Sharp break (14 ft) | Diamond jig, Bucktail with teaser |
| Winter | 50 to 220 ft | midday | Deepest basin (281 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
Galway Bay - Aran West North also holds european plaice (6 to 40 ft in summer), european flounder (6 to 35 ft in summer), thornback ray (10 to 65 ft in summer), brill (6 to 50 ft in summer), ling (47 to 281 ft in summer), european seabass (2 to 30 ft in summer), garfish (2 to 20 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 7 structure features on Galway Bay - Aran West North; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 281 ft.
Access data: Marine Institute — Fishing Ports. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Ireland waters are set by the Inland Fisheries Ireland (current sea-angling regulations) — and special regulations can apply to Galway Bay - Aran West North specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check the current national and water-specific rules before every trip, including bass measures, the 2026 recreational pollack controls, salmon and sea-trout licences and river-specific status, protected areas, harbour directions, private land and local signs. A mapped fishing port or measured seabed feature is not permission to fish, park, launch or enter a working harbour.
Check the official Ireland fishing regulations →
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (2026 salmon and sea-trout status) →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Check official shore-access information →
Galway Bay - Aran West North is about 281 ft (86 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from INFOMAR (Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute) bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland informs the atlantic mackerel, atlantic pollock, saithe (coalfish), haddock, whiting, atlantic cod, european plaice, european flounder, thornback ray, brill, ling, european seabass, garfish roster for Galway Bay - Aran West North. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
INFOMAR measured current seam is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 126 ft of water that rates prime for saithe (coalfish) in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For atlantic mackerel, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Galway Bay - Aran West North is regulated by the Inland Fisheries Ireland (current sea-angling regulations). Check the official Ireland regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Galway Bay - Aran East North 11 mi · Galway Bay - Aran West South 13 mi · Galway Bay - Aran East South 18 mi · Galway Bay - Central West 23 mi · Killary Harbour - Middle 24 mi · Killary Harbour - Outer 29 mi · Galway Bay - Central East 33 mi · Clew Bay - West 38 mi · Clew Bay - Middle 38 mi · Galway Bay - Inner 39 mi · Shannon Estuary - Mouth North 41 mi · Blacksod Bay - South West 41 mi
See how Galway Bay - Aran West North stacks up: best european flounder lakes in Ireland · best garfish lakes in Ireland · best european seabass lakes in Ireland · best european plaice lakes in Ireland
Browse all Ireland fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: INFOMAR (Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute) INFOMAR All Survey bathymetry mosaic (Source-survey vertical references retained in the INFOMAR All Survey mosaic; 100% measured, 0% source-interpolated). How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.