So where are we to fish for sea trout in Scotland? Sea trout fishing might be had in most parts of Scotland. Most salmon rivers have a run of sea trout. Indeed, most rivers which hold brown trout will see some of them migrating to sea as sea trout, except where the upstream passage of migratory fish is barred by impassable obstacles. In many salmon rivers, the sea trout, although present in good numbers, often play second fiddle to the salmon - as in the Spey and Dee, which are among the top sea trout rivers in Scotland. In others, the sea trout fishing can, at least in the summer months, be the main attraction, as in the South Esk, Earn, Border Esk, Nith, Annan and, until the recent sad decline in sea trout stocks in the north west highlands, Lochs Maree, Stack and More, Sheil and Eilt with their associated rivers Ewe, Laxford, Sheil and Ailort. Mention must also be made of the sea trout fishing possibilities in the Scottish islands - in the lochs, rivers and estuaries of the Western Isles, in the voes of Shetland and around the Orkney coast. So where to fish, with so many sea trout fishing possibilities in Scotland?

Select an area by clicking on the map above

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Resources

Salmon Fishing Scotland

Trout Fishing Scotland

Sea Trout Fishing

Sea Trout Fishing Book

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The detailed maps on this website have been reproduced with the permission of Collins Bartholomew. In addition to the information provided here, I would recommend that anyone planning a fishing or walking trip in Scotland should equip themselves with a compass and the appropriate Ordnance Survey map. The most useful of the O.S. maps for the fisherman is the Landranger series, scale 1:50,000. For each of the lochs and rivers listed here, I have given the relevant O.S. Map number.

For a comprehensive guide to fishing on the lochs and rivers of Scotland, I would recommend that you invest in a copy of Bruce Sandison's excellent book:

Rivers & Lochs of Scotland: The Angler's Complete Guide 2013/14

Where to Fish for Scottish Sea Trout

The North

At one time a Mecca for the sea trout fisherman, the sea trout fishing in the north west highlands is not what it once was. Since the nineteen eighties, the continued growth of the salmon farming industry has coincided with the dramatic loss of sea trout stocks (see sea trout tactics ) but those once great sea trout fisheries, such as Loch Maree, Loch Stack and Loch Sheil, still hold great appeal and it is to be hoped that the fabulous sea trout fishing they once provided might one day be restored to its former glory...... for information on the sea trout fishing in the north of Scotland, click here

Central Scotland

Central Scotland is blessed with a number of excellent sea trout rivers, most of them flowing eastwards into the North Sea. Beginning in the north we have the river Ness, Nairn, Findhorn, Lossie, Spey, Deveron, Ugie, Ythan, Don, Dee, South Esk, Earn, Allan and Teith - all have runs of sea trout and can provide exciting summer sport. In the west we have the Loch Lomond system, including the rivers Leven and Endrick and the River Eachaig on the Cowal peninsula...... for information on the sea trout fishing in central Scotland, click here

The South

Some of the most productive Scottish sea trout rivers lie in the south, draining into the Solway Firth. The Border Esk, Annan and Nith in particular can provide some great sea trout fishing through the summer months, with the added bonus of good runs of autumn salmon...... for information on the sea trout fishing in the south of Scotland, click here

The Islands

Finally, there is great variety of sea trout fishing on the Scottish Islands. Most of the larger island rivers have a run of sea trout. The rivers of Skye and Mull are worth a look. Worthy of special mention are the lochs, rivers and estuaries of Lewis, Harris, North and South Uist, while sea trout are to be found in the tidal waters of Shetland and Orkney...... for information on the sea trout fishing on the Scottish islands, click here

How is one to choose?

For some help in that difficult choice of where to fish, see the links and map above for more information on the sea trout rivers and lochs of Scotland.

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