Cork Blackwater

Season

Open to 31st August. Catch & Release from 1st September.

• Salmon & Sea-trout : 1st February – 30th September
• Brown trout: 15 February to 30 September.

The Munster Blackwater is located in the south of the country. The nearest towns and villages are Mallow, Fermoy, Lismore, Cappoquin and Youghal.

This large and broad river has a lot of fine salmon fishing spread among many private and club fisheries. They are all easily accessible and most welcome visiting anglers. Spring run improving in recent years. The best grilse fishing is towards the end of the season.

The Munster Blackwater rises in Co. Kerry and flows for over 160 km through Counties Cork and Waterford to the tide at Cappoquin. It is Ireland’s fourth-longest river and is noted for its big run of salmon. In 2016, the river recorded a rod and line catch of 3,837 of which 1,821 were released back to the river by anglers. In 2019, the catch was 2,371 salmon of which 1,111 were sportingly released back to the river by anglers.

Spinning and fly fishing for salmon are the methods allowed on all fisheries, but on some fisheries the use of a worm or shrimp is allowed. However, fishing must at all times be consistent with the rules and regulations of the fisheries and the salmon and sea trout regulations. Please see below.

There is a statutory size limit of 7 inches for salmon and trout. No fishing is allowed from the Mill Dam at Clondulane or for 30 yards below it. There is some very good brown trout fishing to be had on the Blackwater.

Latest News from the Blackwater

• Rains finally come to the Munster Blackwater, but too late October 3, 2024
  Fishing was very quiet for the last week of the season and water levels remained low. There was a flood following the rain on Sunday but it was too late to make much difference to fishing which has been tough all season.

Fisheries on the Munster Blackwater