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Best atlantic cod lakes in Ireland

58 Ireland waters hold atlantic cod, 58 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality, leading with the waters in our reviewed search catalog — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. A cold-water bottom predator associated with rock, ledges and wrecks from Massachusetts Bay through the Gulf of Maine.

1. Waterford Harbour — Inner — 135 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
2. Dingle Bay — Middle — 122 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #2: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 3 public access sites
3. Dingle Bay — West South — 307 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #3: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
4. Dingle Bay — West North — 344 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
5. Dungarvan Bay — Inner — 242 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #5: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
6. Galway Bay — Aran East South — 273 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #6: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 3 public access sites
7. Roaringwater Bay — West — 248 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #7: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
8. Kenmare Bay — Middle — 154 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #8: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
9. Broadhaven Bay — Middle — 324 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #9: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
10. Galway Bay — Aran West North — 281 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #10: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
11. Kenmare Bay — Outer — 260 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #11: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
12. Donegal Bay — Central West North — 197 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #12: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
13. Galway Bay — Aran East North — 214 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #13: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
14. Cork Harbour — West — 147 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #14: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
15. Clonakilty and Courtmacsherry Bays — Clonakilty — 291 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #15: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
16. Bantry Bay — Inner South — 214 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #16: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
17. Dublin Bay — Middle — 109 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #17: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
18. Roaringwater Bay — East — 300 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #18: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
19. Roaringwater Bay — Middle — 256 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #19: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
20. Galway Bay — Central East — 82 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #20: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
21. Cork Harbour — East — 255 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #21: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
22. Sheephaven Bay — East — 175 ft max · survey depth data · European Flounder, Garfish, European Seabass, European PlaiceWhy #22: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
23. Youghal Bay — Outer — 235 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #23: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
24. Lough Foyle — Outer — 77 ft max · survey depth data · Sea Trout, European Flounder, European Plaice, WhitingWhy #24: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
25. Wexford Harbour and Rosslare Bay — Wexford Inner — 147 ft max · survey depth data · Atlantic Herring, European Flounder, Garfish, European SeabassWhy #25: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site

…plus 33 more Ireland waters holding atlantic cod.

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When to fish atlantic cod in Ireland

• Spring 20–100 ft — Work jigs or bait close to charted rock and ledges near the bay mouth; verify the current season and possession rules before targeting cod.
• Summer 45–180 ft — Warmer water pushes most cod deeper or offshore; inner-harbor spots should be read as low-confidence unless cold water and bait are present.
• Fall 25–140 ft — Probe the up-current face of ledges and charted rock with controlled bottom contact, and release prohibited or undersized fish promptly.
• Winter 50–220 ft — Most fishing is in deep offshore water and regulations can close or sharply limit harvest; the in-bay map is not an offshore forecast.

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