Fishing Lakes at Corkagh



 
Contrary to appearances the 'fishing' lakes were only created in 2001 as part of flood prevention works on the Camac in what was formerly a large meadow area filled with wildflowers. 

The coffee shop at the lakes!  This has since closed and will be replaced by a cafe currently under construction.

The lakes are fed by the waters of the River Camac and its tributary streams. In extended periods of dry weather the water level can drop significantly while during wetter periods lake levels quickly rise leading to flooding. 

Pier under water November 2020

Pretty wooden piers at the lakes

The lakes were initially stocked with Rainbow Trout in the lower lake and Carp in the upper lake near the Grange Castle car park.  Fish stocks are no longer maintained and the lakes are not actively managed however visitors continue to fish here.  I am told there are presently Perch, Carp and Tench to be found. 
A word of caution:  The lakes are home to families of Swans and other water birds and unfortunately these poor creatures frequently get caught up in discarded fishing wire and tackle.  If you plan on fishing at Corkagh please be careful.

Carp in the Fishing Lakes June 2022

Roach in the Fishing Lakes June 2022

Fishing 2008


A great catch 2008

Corkaghs grey herons can be seen standing patiently by the lakes edge hoping to catch a fishy lunch.
They build their nests in April in some of the taller trees between the lakes and the rose garden. 
Grey Heron

The lakes are also home to a pair of swans who successfully raised young here over many years. The eggs usually hatch in May with 6 to 8 cygnets produced.  Not all of the babies survive and you may see 6 cygnets only to notice one missing a week later.  The young swans are driven (often aggressively) from the lake by their parents in the early months of the following year.

During early spring in recent years a Cormorant or two have been spotted at the fishing lakes.  Normally a bird of coastal districts they are know to venture inland occasionally but will return to the coast during breeding season. 

Cormorant
One of a pair of Cormorants at the fishing lakes, March 2022


Little Grebes look like miniature nondescript ducks as they swim in the centre of the lake but a close up reveals their striking colour. 


Tufted Ducks, so called because of their little pony tail.

Baby Coot

Many years ago someone abandoned a tortoise in the upper lake.  The poor creature could be seen occasionally on the bank near the carpark.  Its most likely that the harsh winter of 2010, when the lakes froze over, finished it off.  In ideal conditions the tortoise can live for over 100 years so sometimes I wonder if it survived and is still hiding somewhere in the rushes? However in recent years more turtle, or perhaps they are tortoises?, have been abandoned at Corkagh and they can occasionally be seen on all the lakes.

During Summer Dragonflies and Damselflies can be seen flying around the margins of the lakes, in nearby meadows and they even visit  neighbouring gardens. The dragonflies in particular are fierce hunters and feed on the many insects that gather near water. 

Female Migrant Hawker Dragonfly
 Male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly

Common Blue Damselfly


Common Blue Damselfly male and female

Ruddy Darter


Corkagh Snapshots
All images Copyright Nolene Dowdall

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