Fishing Season Dates Salmon, Sea Trout, and Brown Trout in Scotland

Please click one of the links to the country you are looking for details of the season dates when you can go fishing

Scotland | England | Northern Ireland | Southern Ireland | Wales

Brown Trout

The brown trout fishing season in Scotland is generally from the 15th of March to 30th September with some variations however in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands the season generally starts on the 1st of April giving the trout a couple more weeks to get in condition after the colder winter up north. On the Tay, Nith and Tweed systems for example the statutory season is observed which gives an extra 6 days the season ending on the 6th of October.

It is off course illegal to fish for brown trout from 7th October to 14th March inclusive even in trout fisheries. It's always worth checking in advance before you venture forth at the start or finish of the season, try a local tackle shop, they should know the local season dates.

Salmon and Sea trout

The seasons for salmon and sea trout fishing are the same in Scotland with opportunities to fish from January on the Tay to November on the Tweed so your rods don't have to be made redundant for too long. Off course the trick is to time your visit when fresh fish are running, now that's not so easy.

11th January to 30th September

Carron, Cassley, Evlyx, Helmsdale, Shin, Oykel.

11th January to 5th October

Thurso Stroma

12th January to 30th September

Borgie, Naver, Polla, River and Loch Hope, Strathy.

15th January to 15th October

Almond, Garry, Ness, Isla, Tay, Tummel, Ericht.

1st February to15th October

Aberdeenshire Dee, Brora

1st February to 31st October

Earn, Border Esk, Forth, Teith.

1st February to 30th November

Blackadder, Ettrick, Tweed, Till, Teviot, Whiteadder, Yarrow.

5th February to 31st October

Eden (Fife)

10th February to 31st October

Ugie.

11th February to 30th September

Conon, Findhorn,  Spey, Balnagowan

11th February to 7th October

Nairn.

11th February to 15th October

Beauly, Dunbeath, Ettive, Orchy, Polly, Sligican, Snizort.

11th February to 16th October

Loch Roag

11th February to 31st October

Argyllshire, Ayr, Ailort, Aline, Alness (Alt Graad), Arnisdale, Aros (Mull), Awe, Ba (Mull), Berriedale, Bladnoch, Broom, Caron (west coast), Carron (Aberdeenshire), Clyde, Crowe and Sheil, Leven (Dumbartonshire), Dee (Kirkcubright), Deveron, Doinard / Grudie, Don, Doon, Dundonnell, East Lewis, Forss, Gour, Gruinard, Gridie, Glenelg, , GlenInver, Incard, Inver, Kishorn, Kannaird, Kinloch (Kyle of Tongue), Kirkaig, Kishorn, Laggan and Sorn (Islay), Laxford, Leven (Dumbartonshire), Loch Long, Lochaber, Lossie, Lochy, Luss (Mull), Moidart, Morar, Nith, Resort, Sanda, Scaddie, Sheil (river and loch), Torridon, Ullapool, Wester Ross, Wick, Ythan.

15th February to 31st October

Eden (Fife).

16th February to 31st October

North Esk, Ruel, South Esk.

25th February to 31st October

Bervie, Fincastle (Harris), Fleet (Kirkcubright), Fleet (Sutherland), Garnock, Girvan, Howmore, Jura, Laggan (Islay), Laxay Fishery (Lewis), Luce, Machrie (Arran), Mullanagowan, Nith, Orkney, Shetland, Sorn (Islay), Stinchar, Urr.

25th February to 15th November

Annan, Irvine.

1st March to 14th October

Cree

1st April to 15th October

Laxford Fishery Harris.

1st May to 15th October

Cree.

1st May to 31st September

Rodel Fishery (Harris).

1st May to 31st October

Eachaig.

1st June to 15th October

Creed (Lewis), Fhorsa, Gress.

3rd June to 15th October

Amhuinnsuidhe (Harris), Hamanavay (Lewis), Obbe System (Harris).

15th June to 15th October

Grimistra.

Coarse Fish (including Grayling and Pike)

There is no closed season for course fishing in Scotland at this time.

Sea Fishing

There is no closed season for rod fishing in the sea in Scotland, nor do you need a license or permit however you should be aware that in many areas e.g. on the Tweed shores extending from near Eyemouth to Bamburgh in England you will be prosecuted from taking salmon and sea trout. Check before trying your luck when fishing around any salmon river system estuary or sea loch

If you find any of the above to be inaccurate please contact me with correction, it would be much appreciated.