The River Lee rises in Gougane Barra, County Cork and flows east into Cork Harbour. The bulk of the salmon fishing takes place in the nine-mile stretch of river downstream of Inishcarra Dam.
The valleys downstream along the River Lee are now flooded and form reservoirs because of the erection of dams for hydro-electric power stations. Therefore most of the salmon fishing takes place downstream of Inishcarra Dam. Fishing is prohibited for 50 yards downstream of the powerhouse of Cork Waterworks. The ESB stocks up to 150,000 salmon annually into the river and a permit is required from them to fish in this area.
The peak of the salmon fishing is from late March and the grilse fishing is usually in full swing by early July. The river holds a fair stock of brown trout, averaging 0.5lb but with some fish up to 1lb or better. The best fishing is during the day in May and June.
