General
Loch Corrib, which is the second largest sheet of inland frest water in Ireland, is about thirty-five miles in length from Galway to Maam and varies in breadth from eight miles, as between Oughterard and Cong, to one quater of a mile, as from the Wood of Dun to Corran Point, where it narrows between the Joyce Country and the Iar-Chonnacht hills. Its general direction is from west-north-west, in a curvature, to south-south-east. In depth it varies considerable. It is in many parts full of rocky shoals, dry in summer; and even in the navigation course, having but six or seven feet of water in some places.
 

Fishing
Lough Corrib is one of the best game fisheries in the world and it is a wonderful place to experience what Ireland has to offer both in terms of the game angling and the hospitality of the local people. It is a vast lake of 44,000 acres and stretches some thirty five miles from Galway City to Maam Bridge. Because of its size and numerous underwater hazards it is very advisable to use a guide on your first few visits, until you feel comfortable and confident enough to rent a boat yourself. The use of a guide also has the benefit of getting you to the best and
most productive fishing grounds straight away, hence making your day more productive and enjoyable.  More on Fishing Lough Corrib
 
Islands
Lough Corrib is reputed to have 365 islands. Most famous of which is Inchagoill Island. Located midway between Cong and Oughterard, it is one of the largest of the many wooded islands along Lough Corrib. The island has spectacular views of the Maumturk range. Joyce Country and the mountains of Connemara, and it is also home to two ancient venerated sites, set close together in its woods' St Patrick's Church believed to have been erected in the 5th century and the tiny 12th century Church of the Saints. There are secluded beaches and enchanting woods with a variety of walks around the island. There is evidence of an early monastic settlement which still mostly remains a mystery. There are two churches remaining, St. Patrick's and the 12th century church known as the "saints" church. There are several paths around the island, an old cemetery and remains of four or five cottages which housed the few inhabitants on the island.

Maps
 

Rivers
Lough Corrib drains via the Corrib River through Galway City into Galway Bay.
The main rivers into Lough Corrib include the River Clare and the canal through the village of Cong, which joins Lough Mask to Lough Corrib.
 
 
Cruises
From Cong Corrib Cruises run cruises on board "The Lady Ardilaun" from Ashford Castle to Inchagoil island and Oughterard. This Cruise takes you on a very scenic voyage. We cruise beautiful Lough Corrib with guided commentary of islands, lake and shoreline. There are also other cruises available.

From Woodquay in Galway City you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise with us on board the luxurious Corrib Princess. The journey takes passengers along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake providing visitors with unsurpassed views of the historic monuments and natural amenities that make this the most spectacular waterway in Ireland. The Corrib Princess takes you past castles and various sites of both historical interest and natural beauty. There is an abundance of wild life and the Corrib has a peace and tranquillity all of its own.

 
Wildlife
There is an abundance of wildlife in Lough Corrib including birds and hawks, otters, mink, stoat, frogs, bats and much more. The "Dawn Chorus" in early spring is spectacular to listen to. Lough Corrib can be divided into two parts: a smaller shallower basin to the south and a larger deeper basin to the north. These two parts are connected by a narrow channel. In the southern and eastern parts of the lake the lake bed is dominated by limestone bedrock covered by deposits of precipitated marl. The surrounding land is mostly pastoral farmland to the south and east and bog to the west and north. In addition to the lake basis, some areas of scientific interest adjoining the lake e.g. woodland, callows grassland and raised bog, have been incorporated into the site. The lake supports one of the largest areas of wetland vegetation in the country. This vegetation is best developed in the shallower southern basin of the lake just north of Galway city. The shallow lime-rich waters in this area support the most extensive beds of Charaphytes in Ireland. These beds are an important source of food for wildfowl.

 
Tour Lough Corrib
Corrib Country Tour (140km / 88miles)
The route includes ; Galway City - Moycullen - Oughterard - Maam Cross - Maam - Cornamona - Clonbur - Cong - Headford - Galway City.
This tour follows the 140km shoreline around lough Corrib.

 
Environmental Issues
The uncontrolled discharge of sewage, particularly into the southern part of the lake, is causing nutrient pollution. Other threats to habitat quality are wildfowling (causing disturbance to birds) and increasing pressure from fishing and from lakeshore developments such as hotels, holiday homes and marinas.

The Zebra Mussel - a native of the Black and Caspian Seas - which has already colonised the Erne and Shannon waterways is highly destructive to various fish species including the world famous wild brown trout of Lough Corrib. Zebra mussels can filter as much as 1 litre of water per day through their gills. They remove phytoplankton, small zooplankton and bacteria amongst other things. As a result of this activity, the food web of their new habitat is changed. Studies have shown that this leads to reductions in different populations of fish. Zebra mussels attach onto the shells of swan mussels, preventing them from feeding, resulting in death of the swan mussels.