United Utilities permit water in the far west of the national park — no road runs along the south shore and the valley is largely car-free, which means the wild brown trout have seen relatively few flies. The trout are genuine wild fish, typically 8–14 oz but with fish to 2lb+ present, in excellent condition from the volcanic catchment's clean, well-oxygenated water. Arctic charr are present in the lake but live deep and are not a fly fishing target. The fishing is loch-style — drift from a boat with teams of wet flies, or work the bankside shallows at dusk with sedge and dry fly. United Utilities issues day and season permits; boat hire is available through the permit system. The combination of remoteness, wild fish, and spectacular fell backdrop makes Ennerdale one of the best-kept secrets in English still-water fly fishing.
- Surface area
- 3.0 km² (735 acres)
- Mean depth
- about 18 m (59 ft)
- Max depth
- 45 m (148 ft)
- Length
- 4.2 km (2.6 mi)
- Width
- 1.3 km (0.8 mi)
- Area © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mean depth: United Utilities's published capacity ÷ area. Max depth, length and width: Wikipedia, Ennerdale Water
- Volcanic