The A to Z of Where to Fish for Salmon and Sea Trout in the Lochs of Scotland

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 Argyll | Dumbartonshire | Isle of Harris | Isle of Lewis | Inverness-shire | Nairnshire | Ross and Cromarty | Sutherland | Perthshire

Bruce Sandison's book 'Angling Lines' contains information about permits, access, best fishing spots, best flies, safe wading and boating, it's a must read for anglers looking for more information about salmon and sea trout in the Highlands. Click HERE to read the review.

Its not just the rivers of Scotland that offer great salmon and sea trout fishing. Our lochs (lakes) are equally productive. Fishing Finder where to fish directory for Scotland has listed the key loch venues where you can find excellent fishing. Knowing where to fish on a loch is more important than on a river, lochs are much harder to read so a boat and a local ghillie are essential to help you find the best fishing places and for your own safety because the big lochs can kick up a storm of short frequency waves that can really rock the boat. Finding inflow and outflow rivers on a loch is a dawdle but finding under water reefs or submerged boulder strewn bays where fish might congregate needs local know how saving time and putting you among the fish straight away and off course the last thing you want to do is find the submerged rocks by running into them at full tilt!

Sea trout fishing has taken a knock in recent years but is good to hear that some of the far north lochs like Loch Hope are holding their own. I never had the chance to fish Loch Maree and hope some day that it will recover its former stature and let me cast a line on its hallowed water. I hope you find your hallowed water here on Fishing Finder and have a memorable fishing experience some where in Scotland.

Argyll           

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Loch Eck, salmon, sea trout and brown trout on what was formerly a top sea trout fishing loch. bank and boat fishing available. Permits from the Whistlefield Inn (bank at £5 per day) call 01369 860440 or from the Coylet Hotel, call 01369 840426, who hire boats at £12 per day  without an outboard and £40 with.

Loch Goil Salmon. sea trout and brown trout fishing, 15th March to 5th October. Permits £15 per day from Purdies in Dunoon, call 01369 703232.

Dumbartonshire           

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Season permits for Loch Lomond and the river Leven can be had by calling Michael Brady on 0141 781 1545

Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association have a lease on some of the fishing on the Endrick and Gairloch as well as fishing in the Loch Lomond and the the rivers Leven and the Fruin. Membership applications to the Secretary, Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association, PO box 3559, Glasgow, G71 7SJ or call 0141 781 1545, cost £160 for 2007 plus a one off joining fee off £25.

Isle of Harris

Amhuinnsuidhe, system of 9 lochs including Loch Voshimid linked by a river system. Salmon average over 150 and sea trout over 450 per annum, best July, August, September. Contact Amhuinsuidhe Castle Estate on 01859 560200 for further information.

Laxadale, near Tarbert, mixed fishery salmon, sea trout and good quality brown trout on two lochs linked by the river, fishes best July onwards. Call 01859 502009 for further information.

Isle of Lewis           

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Creed, now run by Stornoway AC this system of two lochs, Loch Chlachain and Loch Ois and the lower 4 miles of the river Creed is enjoying a resurgence in sea trout returns. Best months July to October, contact 01851 705453 for bookings and information.

Grimestra, magical spot with a great reputation for summer salmon. Like most west coast waters this system of lochs interlinked by rivers benefits from a spate. The 5 year average is over the 400 mark with fishing best June to October, July being the best month. Fishing is fly only, let by the week (8 rods) staying at Grimerstra Lodge. Call 01851 621358 or email grimerstra@lineone.net

Inverness-shire

Loch Insh, permits from Alvie Estate, boats £18 per day, plus £12 for additional rods, contact Alvie Estate, Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, call 01479 810330.

Loch Ness, Bruce Wyne, Drumnadrochit, call 01456 450279.

Inchnacardoch Hotel, call 01320 366258.

Loch Oich, wild brown trout and salmon, contact Glengarry Castle Hotel, Invergarry on 01809 501254 or Tomdoun Sporting Lodge Hotel.

Loch Quoich, wild brown trout and char, contact Tomdoun Sporting Lodge, 01809 501254.

Nairnshire

Lochindorb, a nice little bonus can be had here when fishing the loch for salmon do run up into the loch from the river Nairn but usually at the back end of the season after a good spate. Bank fishing is free, boats can be hired, call 01381 610496 Fax: +44 (0)1381 610481

Perthshire       

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Loch Earn, some salmon, brown trout and ferox to an excellent standard in this beautiful and productive loch, contact Drummond Estate, 01567 8304009.

Loch Faskally, fish enter the loch from late April into to May and since they pass through the fish counter at Pitlochry Dam you know just how many there are (average 5 - 6000 pa). Boats can be hired by the hour from Pitlochry Boat Hire prices ranging up to £22 for 8 hours for 3 people plus the permit (£6.50 per day, £28 per week). Bank permits are £4.50 per day, £18 per week. Contact Pitlochry Boat Hire on 01796 472919.

Loch Lubnaig, salmon, brown trout, char, pike and perch. Permits from James Bayne Fishing Tackle, 76, Main St, Callander, FK17 8BD, call 01877 330218.

Loch Rannoch (including Loch Eigheoch on Rannoch Moor) While anglers do not go out fishing for salmon on Rannoch fish are taken every year, a bit of a bonus.

Loch Tay, this some some excellent salmon fishing to be had on the loch, but a boat is essential.

Ardeonaig Hotel, 3 boats available with outboards, call 01567 820400.

Loch Tay Lodge, boats available at £35 per day, call 01887 830209.

Loch Tay Highland Lodge, boats available for salmon fishing £45 week days and £50 on Saturday, price includes the permit. Call 91567 820323.

Loch Venacher, salmon, brown trout permits from Trossachs Leisure, call 01877 330011.

Loch Voil, salmon, brown trout, char, contact Catriona Oldham, Muirlaggan Farm, Balquhider, Scotland, FK19 8PB, call 384219.

Ross and Cromarty  

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Loch Maree, once a prolific sea trout fishery the fishing is a shadow of what it once was, a victim of the extensive fish farming in the area. 12.5 miles long and 2.25 miles at its widest. The Loch Maree hotel provides permits for the loch, call 01445 760253 or call  the Kinlochewe Hotel call 01445 760253.

Loch Morar, brown trout fishing in this very deep loch (deepest in Britain) with the occasional salmon and sea trout, contact 01687 462388 for permits, boats from Loch Morar Boat Hire, 01687 462346 and Morar Hotel 01687 462346.

Sutherland  

Loch Assynt, Assynt Angling Group, the Assynt Angling Club and 8 local landowner have joined together to offer access to 150 lochs in the area including 20 with boats. The fishing is for wild brown trout and ferox with 5 lochs offering salmon and sea trout fishing. Trout average 6 to 12 ounces with a few fish over the 4lb mark taken every year. This is fishing in the raw, no stockies. Permits from a number of sources in the area cost from £5 per day with no extra charge for the salmon and sea trout fishing. For more information log on to www.assyntangling.co.uk

Loch Brora, salmon, sea trout and trout fishing on Loch Brora, £25 per day (boat only) call 01408 621373.

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Loch Hope remains a quality sea trout fishing venue having managed to survive the ravages of the West Highlands caused by fish farming. The 10 year average is 711 fish to the 10lb mark.

Loch More, see Scourie Hotel.

Loch Naver, Park House Sporting, 1 boat  available, call 01549 402208. Altnaharra Hotel has fishing on Loch Naver, call 01549 411222.

Loch Reay, Reay Forest Estate, fishing for salmon and sea trout, contact Estate office, Achfary, By Lairg, Sutherland, IV27 4OQ, call 01971 500248.

Loch Sheil, boat only for salmon and sea trout and brown trout, contact Ian on 07900 387150 for guided fishing on this very large loch (£55 per day, £30 per half day, equipment included) or the Glenfinnan Hotel has a boat free of charge to guests, call 01397 722235. Boats from D MacAuley, Dailea Farm, Acharacle call 01967 431253 or Mrs Dunan, Langal Farm call 01769 431229.

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Rhiconich Hotel Fishing, fishing for salmon, sea trout and brown trout in 11 surrounding lochs. Loch Gharbet and Skerricha for salmon and sea trout, June to September with July the best month. Contact 01971 521224. Rhiconich Hotel, Rhiconich, Sutherland, IV27 4 RN.

Sandwood Loch, I am still looking for information about Sandwood Loch. I fished it many years ago and saw several good sea trout but I fear it has suffered the same fate as other west coast lochs. Can anyone help with this entry because to loch is so beautiful it is worth a visit just for the scenery.

Scourie Hotel, 25,000 acres of lochs, hill lochs and rivers to chose from, it will take you some time to explore, some lifetimes! There are 36 boats in different locations plus beats on Loch Stack and Loch More, six beats on the river Doinard with two beats available on application. There are salmon and brown trout fishing on the Duart system with sea trout appearing in  recent years. Char can be taken on Loch Stack and Loch More (you must have a ghillie on Stack because of dangerous submerged rocks). Salmon from June onwards, mostly grilse. If that's not enough the scenery is awe inspiring.

Loch Stack See Scourie Hotel.

For useful background information about fishing in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales click HERE 

For salmon and sea trout season dates in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales click HERE

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Please note: the information displayed is gathered from a number of sources to save you time browsing the net, the information and prices are indicative of what was available when we searched for data. Please confirm details with the fishery before booking as Spinfish does not accept any liability for variations and changes to terms and conditions relating to any fishery listed.

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