Best atlantic cod lakes in United Kingdom
7 United Kingdom waters hold atlantic cod, 7 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.
- Crouch Estuary — Inner to Burnham Reach — 52 ft max · survey depth data · European Seabass, Common Sole, European Plaice, Flathead Grey MulletWhy #1: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
- Lough Foyle — Outer — 77 ft max · survey depth data · Sea Trout, European Flounder, European Plaice, WhitingWhy #2: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 2 public access sites
- Lough Foyle — Inner — 67 ft max · survey depth data · Sea Trout, European Flounder, European Plaice, WhitingWhy #3: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · 1 public access site
- Strangford Lough — North — 178 ft max · survey depth data · Sea Trout, European Flounder, European Plaice, WhitingWhy #4: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
- Strangford Lough — South — 183 ft max · survey depth data · Sea Trout, European Flounder, European Plaice, WhitingWhy #5: survey-backed contours receive the ranking's data-quality boost · no verified access record attached
…plus 2 more United Kingdom waters holding atlantic cod.
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How to use this ranking
The order is a map-planning ranking, not a claim about today's fish population. It favors larger mapped waters and gives survey-backed contours a three-times data-quality boost. Agency population surveys, current regulations, access and recent conditions should make the final decision.
Compare maximum depth across 37,233 lake records · See United Kingdom waters with public access data
When to fish atlantic cod in United Kingdom
- 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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Atlantic Cod elsewhere: Sweden · Norway · Maine · Massachusetts · France · Netherlands · Nova Scotia · Ireland