Types of Fish
The main fish species that you will find in Scotland are Salmon, Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Pike. Most fishing in Scotland is fly fishing.
Where to fish
Scotland boasts numerous rivers, streams, lochs and lakes and an endless coastline for fishing. To continue we will list a detailed description for various locations throughout the country for fishing.
The River Tweed
The River Tweed is a classic river for salmon fishing and is also an excellent spot for Brown Trout and Grayling. It is a huge river system with multiple different rivers and it runs mostly through Scotland with a point where it forms the border with England, the county of Northumberland. It is almost 100 miles long and it is unusual in that fish can still be found in its waters up until November and autumn is an excellent fishing season on the Tweed. Spring Salmon can be found in the lower parts of the river before they move upstream later on in the year. More fly caught salmon are caught in this river than in any other part of the UK.
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway, located in the southern part of the country, is a great place to fish with multiple areas notable for salmon, and should not be overlooked for sea trout and brown trout. Lochs, streams and rivers are where you cast your line.
- Doon
- Girvan
- Stinchar
- Bladnoch
- Cree
- Cairn
- Nith
- Irvine in North Ayrshire.
- Annan
- Border Esk
The River Tay and System
This river boasts a large river system with plenty of fish to be caught! The River Tay leaves the Loch Tay and flows through the Highlands. The system incorporates various others like The River Tummel and The River Almond. It is a prime spot for salmon throughout the season.
Speeside
Speeside offers the River Spey and Findhorn, Isla, Devern and Lossie. This is also a fantastic river for salmon and the Deveron has great salmon and sea trout as well.
River Dee
The River Dee in Aberdeenshire is a spectacular river that is fed by the melting snow of the Cairngorm Mountains. It is also a spectacular river for salmon fishing, although it is a trickier river to fish as there are many eager anglers. It is great for spring, summer and autumn salmon fishing and it is generally a fly river. However, it must be noted that it is a catch & release fishing river and it has been for over 15 years which has brought huge benefits to the salmon population.
The Scottish Islands
The Scottish Islands are a great place to fish, although do expect the fish to be small. It is not one of the most popular fishing areas and you will quite likely find that the rivers and lochs have few anglers around.
The following islands are great for a fishing trip:
- Lewis
- Skye
- Islay
- Arran
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Mull
The Ness system and Inverness
This is an area rich in waterways. Dividing the Grampian Mountains and the Scottish Highlands, The Great Glen is an area that boasts Loch Ness and the Rivers Ness, Moriston, Garry and Oich. The fish found here are mainly salmon and trout. If you are considering fishing in the fruitful Loch Ness, do be careful as it can be risky for inexperienced anglers.
Central Belt
Fishing in this part of the country is convenient as it is near both of the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and the grand rivers Clyde and Forth run through it. Loch Lomond has a wide variety of fish, Pike being one of the biggest catches and Loch Level is known for its Brown Trout and Rainbow and Golden Trout which can also be found throughout the area.
Northwest Scotland
The Northwest area of Scotland is a great area for a wider variety of species of fish such as Hope, Maree, Stack, Dionard as well as sea Trout and Brown Trout. This is a great place to find areas of untouched beauty with ample fish to keep you entertained. With its loch and spate rivers, it's a wonderful place to enjoy the sport of fishing and you're guaranteed to not go home empty-handed. The following are some interesting locations to look into:
- Shin
- Oykel
- Carron
- Connon
- Beauly
- Brora
- Helmsdale
- Croe
- Ewe & Maree
- Lax & Hope
- Dionard & Polla
- Hope & Strathmore
- Naver
- Strathy
- Halladale
The West Coast
The West Coast is another remarkable part of the country for trout (brown and rainbow) fishing. The waterways in the west consist of sea lochs, inland lochs and rivers and there are quite a few spate rivers. Char, pike and salmon can also be found in the area. Loch Awe, the River Croe, Moidart, Lochy, Aline and Orchy are interesting areas to fish.
Scotland's astounding beauty, as well as the abundant fish populations that swim the waters, makes it a heavenly location for fishing . Due to its rugged wilderness, if you are not familiar with the area, it is a good idea to contact fishing companies in the area for advice and tips. Discover the beauty of Scotland and this relaxing watersport!
