Season
The lower River Lee is open as a Brown Tag Fishery (Code S4) for 2024
- Salmon, 1st February to 30th September.
- Sea-trout, 1st February to 30th September.
- Brown Trout, 15th February to 30th September.
Location
The river Lee is located in the south west of Ireland in Co Cork. The nearest towns and villages are Cork City and Ballincollig.
Fish Species
Salmon, sea trout and wild brown trout.
This river drains a catchment of 484 square miles including large reservoirs. The season runs from February until September with the best time of year from June to September. There is a fair run of fish with a very good grilse run dependent on water. All legal angling methods are allowed subject to the rules of the particular fisheries and the salmon and sea trout regulations.
Cork Powerhouse Weir / The Waterworks
Angling is prohibited (by any means whatsoever) in that portion of the River Lee within 50 yards of the eastern or downstream face of the power house of the Cork Waterworks and it is also prohibited to have in possession south of the public road within 50 yards of the eastern or downstream face of the power house a fishing rod with a line attached.
From this point downstream the north channel of the river is closed to fishing.
Below the Kingsley Weir fishing in the southern channel is permitted, but only single barbless hooks may be used from 30 April to the end of the salmon and trout seasons.
The Lee Fields
There is a section known as the ‘Lee Fields’ just upstream of the Kingsely Weir which is regarded as free fishing and no permit is required. The Lee Fields area is approximately 1.2 km west of Wellington Bridge on the south bank.
Club water
Two clubs control the remaining fishing on the River Lee between the Lee Fields and the Inniscarra Fishery. Day permits available.
- Cork Salmon Anglers Association Ltd
- Lee Salmon Anglers club
Inniscarra Fishery
The Inniscarra fishery is run by the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) and an ESB permit is required. The fishery extends 1km downstream from the face of the dam on both sides. Permits are available from
- Maxol-Barry’s Service Station, West Village, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
- Dan O’Riordan: ESB Inniscarra; 087-9983879.
Upper Lee
PLEASE NOTE: The Upper Lee is closed to salmon fishing.
Salmon Angling Regulations
Please familiarise yourself with the salmon and sea trout angling regulations before fishing https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/salmonregs/
State Licence
A State salmon licence is required for salmon and sea trout fishing. These can be purchased online at the following link https://store.fishinginireland.info/
Map of the River Lee
Contacts
- Cork Salmon Anglers Association Ltd
- Lee Salmon Anglers club
- Electricity Supply Board.
Tackle Shops
https://fishinginireland.info/tackleshops/cork/
Fishing Guides
Please check with the fishing clubs at contacts above or check out the fishing guides directory at https://fishinginireland.info/guides/
