Overview
Rockfield Lake lies on the border between County Cavan and County Leitrim, near Carrigallen and a few miles from Killeshandra and Arvagh. The Cullies River (Irish: An Abhainn Dubh) flows through it on its way to Lough Oughter and the wider Erne system. The lake sits low among the drumlins and spreads across three townlands, two in Cavan and one in Leitrim.
It is a quiet place. You come to fish, or to look at the water for a while on a longer drive through the lakelands.
Angling
Rockfield Lake is near Carrigallen. Inland Fisheries Ireland lists it as a coarse fishery, and its regional map records bream, roach, perch and pike.
Check the current conditions and coarse fishing rules with IFI, and note that a valid Inland Fisheries Ireland licence is required for angling. Use the established swims and permitted access only, and keep farm entrances and narrow roads clear. Turn back if the access or bank is flooded.
Wildlife
The shoreline is mostly unmodified, with reeds and grasses running down to open water, and herons and coots work the margins. On a clear day the drumlins catch the light, and the slow curve of the Cullies River leaving the lake makes for a calm, reflective view.
Getting there and practical info
Do not count on toilets, shops or refreshments at the lake, so stock up in Carrigallen or Killeshandra first. The exposed drumlin country means weather can move through fast, so bring a layer and check the forecast.
Nearby
Two smaller lakes sit on the same Cullies River chain: Portlongfield Lake to the north and Drumhart Lake to the south, both quiet stretches of water for anglers wanting to keep exploring. Near Portlongfield stands Portlongfield Orange Hall, built around 1890. Carrigallen itself is worth a stop for its Georgian streetscape and courthouse, while Killeshandra is the gateway to the Lough Oughter lakelands and Killykeen Forest Park.