📍Cork · South West📐4.88 km²📋IFI (Republic of Ireland)Season Open
8Species Present
Inniscarra Lake is a 4.88 km² ESB reservoir on the River Lee, 11 km west of Cork City near Dripsey and Macroom. It reaches a maximum depth of 34.7 m and holds strong roach, perch, and roach-bream hybrid stocks, alongside a bream population that has declined since 2008 but shows signs of stabilising.
County
Cork
Region
South West
Type
Fishery
Surface area
4.88 km²
Maximum depth
34.7 m
Nearest towns
Dripsey, Macroom
River system
River Lee
Species
Bream, Rudd, Roach, Pike, Perch, Tench +2 more
Inniscarra Lake is one of Ireland's premier coarse angling venues, a large man-made reservoir on the River Lee approximately 12 kilometres west of Cork City, created by the ESB between 1953 and 1957 when Inniscarra Dam was constructed as part of the Lee Valley hydroelectric scheme. The lake covers over 530 hectares and, with the adjacent Carrigadrohid reservoir upstream, forms an extensive system of lowland water in a beautiful river valley setting.
The fishery has built an international reputation for its bream and roach, and plays host to national and international coarse angling competitions. Catches of bream exceeding 100 pounds in a single day are not unusual, and the lake's gently sloping banks and productive swim depths make it well suited to a wide range of coarse tactics. Bream, rudd, bream-rudd hybrids, roach, perch, pike, tench, carp, gudgeon, and eels are all present.
Bream are the headline species and are found in large shoals throughout the lake. The Caumruad, Rooves Bridge, and the Dripsey Arm are among the most consistently productive areas. Rudd are abundant and widespread, often shoaling with bream, and the Caumruad area in particular is well known for quality rudd and bream-rudd hybrids. Specimen hybrids over 3 pounds have been recorded. Pike are present in good numbers, with fish over 100 centimetres caught regularly.
The Coachford Greenway — a multi-purpose amenity along the southern shore — provides secure parking directly behind many fishing pegs and has greatly improved access to some of the lake's best coarse fishing. The village of Coachford, just a short distance from the lake, has a pub with permit sales, local accommodation, and angling information.
Inniscarra combines genuine world-class coarse fishing with an accessible, well-organised setup and a beautiful setting in the Lee Valley. For visiting coarse anglers — particularly European visitors for whom bream fishing of this quality is increasingly hard to find — it represents one of the best destinations on the island.
Bream Fishing · International Competitions · ESB Fishery · Cork City · Coachford Greenway
Difficulty
Beginner friendly
Access & bases
The lake is accessible from multiple points along both shores. The Coachford Greenway provides access to a 2.8km stretch of bankside pegs with secure car parking behind each swim — the main gateway is Coachford village. Other access points include Griffin's Garden Centre (Dripsey Arm), Rooves Bridge, and Farran Forest Park on the south bank. Note: fishing is restricted within 150 metres of the dams, within station grounds, and the former Walshstown/Castleinch car park is no longer maintained by IFI. Listen for the ESB warning hooter when fishing near Carrigadrohid — it signals water release from the dam.
Season by season
Spring (March – May)
Coarse fishing gets underway as water temperatures rise. Bream shoals become active from mid-spring. A good groundbaiting strategy pays dividends as the season builds.
Summer (June – August)
Peak competition season. Bream and rudd are most active during settled, warm periods. Dawn and dusk sessions can be particularly productive. International festivals are typically held during the summer months.
Autumn (September – November)
Excellent bream fishing continues. Fish are feeding hard before winter and catches can be exceptional. Pike activity increases as water temperatures drop.
Winter (December – February)
The lake remains open year-round with no close season. Coarse fishing slows but bream, perch, and roach remain catchable in milder spells. Pike fishing is productive through winter.
Best conditions
Based on 0 reports, these conditions consistently produce the best fishing on Inniscarra Lake:
💨
Light to moderate — the valley provides some natural shelter
Best wind
☁️
Overcast, mild conditions; warm summer days are productive for rudd and surface-feeding species
Best sky
🌡️
12–20°C most productive for bream activity
Water temp
⏰
Dawn through mid-morning for bream; all day in settled summer conditions
Best window
Seasonal fly & tactics guide
Bream Fishing
Patterns
Groundbait feederOpen-ended feederPole with groundbait
Groundbait feeders are the number one method for Inniscarra bream. A 40 to 45 gramme feeder with worm, maggot, caster, or corn on the hook produces consistently. Note that some sections — notably the Pump House — are very deep (up to 40 feet). Pole fishing at lengths between 4 and 13 metres is effective for roach and hybrids in areas where depths allow. Build the swim methodically with regular feeder casts before the bream arrive.
⚠️Common mistake: Not checking current access arrangements before arriving. Certain banks and car parks have changed status — always verify at O'Callaghan's Bar in Coachford before driving to an unfamiliar section.
Pike Fishing
Patterns
Soft plastic luresDeadbaitsSpinners
Pike are most concentrated around Carrigadrohid downstream of the generating station, and around Macloneigh Bridge. Lure fishing and deadbait fishing both produce. Safety note: listen for the ESB warning hooter when fishing near the Carrigadrohid Dam — it signals controlled water release.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing within 150 metres of the dams or within station grounds — this is a restricted area.
What works here
Flies and methods reported most successful by the community.
Where to Fish at Inniscarra Lake
Coachford Greenway
A 2.8km multi-use amenity along the southern shore providing access to up to 35 productive pegs with secure car parking directly behind each swim. The main entry point is Coachford village. The most organised and accessible section of the lake.
The Caumruad
An easily accessible, shallow, weedy area beside the main road east of Carrigadrohid village. Well known for rudd, bream-rudd hybrids, and quality bream. Good access from the roadside.
Rooves Bridge Bay
The small bay 600 metres east of Rooves Bridge. One of the most consistently productive bream swims on the lake. Limited parking is available to the left over Rooves Bridge.
Griffin's Garden Centre (Dripsey Arm)
Access to the Dripsey Arm is available via the garden centre with the landowner's permission. Use the overflow car park. Fishing is better to the left, away from the house.
The Pump House
Located 1km west of the Inniscarra Dam with a small car park for up to 10 cars. Famous for exceptional depth — up to 40 feet — and large bream. Best fished with a heavy feeder of 40 to 45 grammes.
Conservation & stewardship
🌿
All fish caught at Inniscarra must be returned to the water. A full catch-and-release policy applies to all species. Net dipping is compulsory before fishing — dip stations are located at car parks to prevent the spread of invasive species and disease. Anglers should comply with all IFI and ESB conservation guidelines and respect the rights and safety instructions of both bodies.
Frequently asked questions
Before You Go — Key Regulations
Jurisdiction
Republic of Ireland (IFI)
Season
Year-round – Year-round
A fishing permit is required to fish on Inniscarra Lake. Permits are available from O'Callaghan's Bar, Coachford (021 733 4023) and from the IFI online permit shop at permits.fishinginireland.info.
Main access: Local resident guides available to assist visiting anglers unfamiliar with the lake — enquire at O'Callaghan's Bar, O'Callaghan's Bar, Coachford — permit sales, local angling information, and brochure available, Inniscarra Lake Tourism Development Ltd — manages access and amenity. National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland — Inniscarra is a registered competition venue.
