Spinfish Where to Go Fish for Arctic Char

Click a link to take you to the Spifish guire to where to go fishing for Arctic Char.


Aberdeenshire | Angus | Argyll | Aviemore | Ayrshire | Borders | Caithness | Fort William | Lanarkshire | Loch Awe | Orkney | Inverness-shire | Isle of Lewis | Isle of Mull |  Isle of Skye | Perthshire | Sutherland |  The Trossachs | West Lothian



Aberdeenshire

A good trek up to this loch high in the Cairngorms, Loch Avon (pronounced Aan) is the source of the crystal clear river Avon which flows into the Spey. The loch holds brown trout and arctic char.

Permits from Invercauld Estate; Estate Office, 4 The Kellach, Braemar, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TW, call 013397 41224.

Google Map Reference 57.105293, -3.624526

Checked 08/09/18

Angus

Loch Lee


Wild brown trout and char on this glacial loch, boats available (max 6 char per boat) from Dalhousie Estate, call 01356 670208.

Google Map Reference 56.903203, -2.945522

Checked 05/07/18

Argyll

Kimelford Lochs


Half way between Oban and Lochgilphead , 6 hill lochs offering a variety of wild fishing opportunities for brown trout, rainbows and Arctic Char. Permits from the Culfail Hotel and the local post office in Kimelford. For boats call 01631 563305.

Loch a Phearsain

Brown trout and char. Google Map Reference 56.266520, -5.464942

Loch na Mhinn

Brown trout, rainbow trout and char. Google Map Reference 56.259548, -5.447003

Lochan Losgainn Beag

Google Map Reference 56.252505, -5.446686

Loch na Curragh

Big Feinn

Google Map Reference 56.275122, -5.440453

Wee Feinn

Loch na Sailm

Google Map Reference 56.275904, -5.428872

Loch A' Chaorainn

Google Map Reference 56.267476, -5.420716

Checked 01/07/18

Aviemore

Loch Insh


Actic Char, brown trout, some feral rainbows, pike to 30lb plus and salmon all in one loch. No bank fishing, 2 boats for hire, outboards available for hire.

Permits from the water sports centre at Loch Insh from May to September, call 01540 651272.

Google Map Reference 57.119732, -3.929807

Checked 05/07/18

Loch Alvie


Wild brown trout and some exceptional pike as well as char. Permits from Alvie Estate Office call 01540 651255 or from the Dalraddy Caravan Park 01479 810330.

Google Map Reference 57.163274, -3.876334

Checked 05/07/18

Ayrshire

Loch Doon

Fishing for brown trout, arctic char, pike and perch on this 6 mile long loch. From what I can see there the is no charge for fishing on the loch. Always best to ask around locally just incase.

Google Map Ref 55.261348, -4.365233

Checked 09/07/18

Borders

Talla Reservoir


300 acres of fishing near Tweedsmuir, brown trout and arctic char, permits from the Broughton Shop (Broughton, on the A710 north of Talla).

Google Map Reference 57.163274, -3.876334

Checked 05/07/18

Caithness

Loch Calder


The largest of the lochs Calder is also deeper (up to 85 feet) consequently it holds char and ferox as well as a good head of brown trout averaging half to three quarters of a pound. Drounray FAC has 20 boats on a number of the top Caithness lochs including Watten, Heilen, Calder, St Johns and 7 others. Loch Watten, approximately 3.5 miles long and up to half a mile wide this shallow (max 12 feet) marl loch offers boat fishing, strictly fly only, for brown trout. Watten is renowned as one of the best trout lochs in the country with fish of 2 to 3 lbs taken regularly. Visitors can book boats on some of the lochs through Harper’s Fly Fishing Services, 57 High Street, Thurso. 01847 893179. Google Map Reference 58.577317, -3.745400

Google Map Reference 58.524435, -3.594897

Checked 28/06/18

Fort William

Loch Arkaig


Brown trout, pike (30lb+) and ferox (up to double figures) on this large loch. Bank and boat fishing available. Fish the shallow sandy margins for trout (av three quartes of a pound) Trawl in the deep water for ferox but some ferox even fall to the fly here.

The pike are big.

Permits from the Honesty Box at the pier on the loch or call 01397 / 712116 / 07879437471

56.971429, -5.123628

Checked 07/07/18

Loch Garry


At 1100 acres and up to 200 feet deep Loch Gary is a challenging bit of water to fish but it contains some whoppers. One upon a time it held the record for the largest fly caught brown trout. The loch has brown trout, ferox, pike, char and some salmon so you can have interesting times on any day if you know where to go. Large trout over 45cm are to be returned however facilities on the boats are provided to minimise stress to the fish, great idea in this selfie mad world where fish are often man handled too much before being released.

There are variety of boats available from 16ft with a cuddy to canoes!  Safety on a big water is essential so equipment is provided along with powerful outboards. In the Highlands stormy weather can arrive in minutes, it's always good to know you have boats designed to cope. For bookings contact Mark on 07770 541496. Guiding services are available.

Google Map Reference 57.078474, -4.862546

Checked 06/07/18

Loch Inlaggan


Fishing is managed by  Loch Garry Fishing, contact Mark on 07770 541496. Google Map Reference 57.069084, -5.012787

Checked 06/07/18

Loch Quoich

9 miles long and rugged not for the faint hearted. Rumours of big, very big brown trout as well as ferox and lots of Actic char. Can't find a contact for permits but someone in Glengarry might be able to point you in the right direction. If you get a contact let know please.

Google Map ref 57.070865, -5.268612

Unconfirmed

Loch Oich


Good brown trout, big pike but no information on permits now the Tomdoun Hotel is gone.

Google Map Reference 57.067821, -4.774394

Checked 05/07/18

Lanarkshire

Commore Trout Fishery


No information, may be shut

Loch Awe

Loch Awe


Loch Awe Angling Improvement Association was set up to manage the fishing on Loch Awe and Loch Avich. Working closely with the Argyll Fisheries Trust they are responsible for the great improvements in the loch which has seen it produce 4 British Record wild brown trout in recent years.

Awe undoubtedly has a British record pike in it yet to be caugh (record so far 35lbs)and there are escapee rainbows that have flourished in the loch to become serious contenders in the big fish stakes. The loch also has a good stock of coarse fish, 1lb plus pike and roach around Kilchum Castle and Dalavich, something for everyone on Loch Awe.

Permits from the Ardbrecknish boat yard, call 07899 459705

Google Map Reference 56.299310, -5.229401

Checked 02/07/18

Isle of Lewis

Stornoway Angling Association,


Stornoway AA have fishing for members on 12 lochs for brown trout and salmon, fishing on the river Creed and on Loch Langavat. There are 4 boats.

The lochs are:

Loch A Bhuna (BT), Achmore (BT), Airigh na Lic (BT, S, ST) Airigh nam Gleann (BT), Airigh Riabhad (BT), Beag na Craibhe (BY) Breuach Leniscal (BT), Loch na Craibhe (BT), Loch Nam Falcog (BT), Loch nam Eilean (BT), Orasaig (BT), Vatandip (BT).

Fishing on loch Langavat is interesting. 9 miles long, salmon, from June/ July onwards, brown trout, char. There are 2 boats and a bunkhouse you can stay overnight in for an additional charge.

The club has salmon and sea trout fishing on the river Creed and 2 lochs Loch Chlachain (2 boats) and Loch an Ois (2 boats). Season tickets are available to both locals and visitors at a very reasonable cost for a river producing 164 (salmon) 355 (sea trout) 5 years average. Boats booked at Angus Campbells Filling Station call 01851 702127.

Membership is inexpensive, Juniors fish the Creed for free. Visitors can buy an associate membership ticket from Sportsworld in Stornoway.

Scaliscro Lodge have fishing for Arctic Char on Loch Bruich Breivat. Call 01851 672393

Google Map Reference 56.964283, -2.209664

Checked 05/07/18

Isle of Mull

Loch Langavat

Good brown trout fishing and char to three quarters of a pound on this loch. There are 2 boats. Contact Tackle and Books in Tobermory on 01688 302336

Google Map Ref

58.054773, -6.797988

Checked 05/07/18


Isle of Skye

Loch Mealt


Portree Angling Association

Portree AA have fishing for salmon and sea trout on several rivers on Skye as well as trout fishing on many lochs. Loch Mealt is uniqiue in that it only contains char. For full information on fishing some of these iconic Skye waters go to the Association web site on title="Portree AA">Portree Angling Association, Isle of Skye

Google Map Reference 57.413161, -6.196200

Checked 01/05/22

Orinsay


Dubhriachean brown trout, fly only, there are some char. Loch Lonachan has char as well as brown trout.

Permits from Hotel Eilean Iarmain call  01471 833332

Google Map Ref 57.145526, -5.799500

Checked 07/09/18



Inverness-shire


Loch Ness

Brown tour fishing is I believe free.

The loch has char but you would need a boat, there are some organised fishing trips.

For salmon try the Whitebridge Hotel, call 01456 486226.

For such a significant loch there doesn't seem to be a lot of fishing going on here.

Checked

05/07/18

Loch Broamiscaig


On Kilchoan Estate, the estate offers fishing on Broamiscaig for wild brown trout (reputedly the most spectacular scenery here, but a 1 and half hour trek, some one send me a pic!) Trout, char and ferox on Loch Dubhlochan.

Call 01687 462133.

Google Map Reference 57.014411, -5.647790

Checked 08/09/18

Loch Garry (Inverness-shire)


At 1100 acres and up to 200 feet deep Loch Garry is a challenging bit of water to fish but it contains some whoppers. One upon a time it held the record for the largest fly caught brown trout. The loch has brown trout, ferox, pike, char and some salmon so you can have interesting times on any day if you know where to go. Large trout over 45cm are to be returned however facilities on the boats are provided to minimise stress to the fish, great idea in this photo mad world where fish are often man handled too much before being released.

There are variety of boats available from 16ft with a cuddy to canoes! Safety on a bit water is essential so equipment is provided along with powerful outboards. In the Highlands stormy weather can arrive in minutes, it's always good to know you have boats selected to cope.

For bookings call 07770 541496. Guiding services are available.

Google Map Reference 57.076620, -4.925393

Checked 05/07/ 18

Glen Moriston Hill Lochs


Well known for their trout fishing these hill lochs hold char too.

Contact Glen Moriston Lodge Estate, Glen Moriston, call 01320 352300.

Google Map Reference 57.231780, -4.835787

Checked 05/07/18

Loch Quoich

9 miles long and rugged not for the faint hearted. Rumours of big, very big brown trout as well as ferox and lots of Actic char. Can't find a contact for permits but someone in Glengarry might be able to point you in the right direction. If you get a contact let know please.

Google Map ref 57.070865, -5.268612

Unconfirmed

Whitebridge Lochs


Loch Bran, Loch Nan Lann, Loch Brotain, Call the Whitebridge Hotel on 01456 486226. Google Map Reference 57.203298, -4.505993

Checked 05/07/18

Orkney

Excellent trout fishing on a number of lochs, char present in some, with boat and bank fishing available. These are quality wild brown trout. I could list the information for you here but the Orkney Fly Angling Association have a first class web site with everything you would want to know about the fishing. Permits for this quality angling experience are inexpensive. Log on to www.orkneytroutfishing.co.uk and see what I mean, I'm moving home. Google Map Reference 58.999694, -3.249318

Checked 07/07/18

Perthshire

 

Loch Ericht


Badenoch Angling Club have fishing for trout fishing on the upper Spey, Loch Laggan and trout and char on loch Ericht plus some first class trout fishing at Spey Dam where they have 2 boats for hire. Permits from The Paper Shop Kingussie; The Glen Hotel, Balavi Hotel, Invernahon Caravan Park in Newtonemore, The Filling Station in Dalwhinnie, Laggan Country Hotel in Laggan. Contact the warden on 07511 458250. Google Map Reference 57.072392, -4.047423

Google Map Reference 56.907166, -4.291967

Checked 20/06/18

Loch Rannoch


The loch does hold a stock of char but I have never caught one. I attended a field trip on Rannoch when Stirling University has a centre there in the 1970s. The sage advice from lecturers was the char were down in the deeps (the loch is over 400 feet at its deepest). I guess your would have to trawl deep so a solid boat is called for.

Do not underestimate Rannoch, it can kick up a storm in no time as I know from fearful experience. A big boat with a motor would be just right.

Rannoch Estate have a big boat, bring your own outboard, call 07584062329.

Finnart lodge have 2 boats, again bring your own outboard. Call 0779524574.

You can do BYOB (bring your own boat and launch non motorised boats from the beach at Killicho or the slipway at Kinloch Rannoch. Motorised boats you pay a charge for launching.

Permits to fish from the Countrystore in Kinloch Rannoch.

Google Map Reference 56.692103, -4.291281

Checked 06/07/18

Loch Tay

Brown trout fishing, and nowadays escapee rainbows of enormous proportions. Loch Tay offers both bank and boat fishing, float tubing is done with great caution as this is a large loch, 14 miles long, where the weather can change so quickly. Google Map Reference 56.542057, -4.116117

Ardeonaig Hotel

3 boats with outboards, call 01567 820400. Google Map Reference 56.502469, -4.159015

East Loch Angling Association


Control a sizeable part of the bank fishing for trout, salmon fishing is in the hands of riparian owners. Boat hire from the Loch Tay Boating Centre includes a permit to fish for trout.

Killin


Brown trout bank permits for the loch from News First, call 01567 820363 Google Map Reference 56.469522, -4.319269

Loch Tay Lodge


Boat and bank permits. Call on 01887 830209.

Loch Tay Highland Lodges


Offers boat hire including fishing permit. Call 01567 820323.

Also James Bayne in Callander 01877 330218

Checked 08/07/18

The Trossachs

Loch Katrine

What a place to go fishing! Stunning scenery, tranquil, red deer on the hills, saw a golden eagle soar up by Glengyle, saw a shining green flash crash into my lure leaving me to wonder what might have been.

Brown trout, pike ferox, char all in this massive loch, 11 miles long, nearly a mile wide in places and over 500 feet deep, it's potential is untapped given that it has been so under fishing until recently and even the the numbers fishing are nowt compared with the size of the loch.

There is no bank fishing, substantial boats for hire though.

For pike the Glengoyle area is a prime location.

For trout, the first time I fished here we had a fishfinder on board and the readings showed that the depths are precipitous going from margins to a hundred plus feet a short distance from the shore. So fish the margins.

Going out from Stronachlachar fish the south side down to the Royal Cottage where there are some good drifts. Another handy drift was on the north shore opposite Factors Island where there is an other island in bay bay. Worth a visit. Or up to the shallows at the Glengoyne end. Fish around features, submerged rocks even old fence post. Try a Kate McLaren and a Bloody Butcher they worked for me.

Watch out, I've seen massive white capped waves roaring down the loch, if in doubt keep near the shore and make sure you have plenty of juice in the outboard battery, its a heck of a row!

Call Loch Katrine Fisheries on 07591 099 826

Google Map Ref 56.257709, -4.577829

Checked 08/07/18

Loch Lubnaig


Salmon, brown trout, char, perch. Boat and bank fishing, bring your own boat, 4hp engine restriction, there is a charge for launching your boat.

Permits from James Bayne Fishing Tackle, 76, Main St, Callander, call 01877 330218. Google Map Reference 56.268779, -4.286755

Checked 08/07/18

Loch Voil


Salmon, brown trout, char, contact James Bayne Fishing Tackle, 76, Main St, Callander, FK17 8BD, call 01877 330218.

Google Map Reference 56.347028, -4.423462

Checked 08/07/18

Sutherland

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 with no extra charge for the salmon and sea trout fishing. For more information log on to www.assyntangling.co.uk Google Map Reference 58.172878, -5.028240

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 is 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 the dangerous submerged rocks). Salmon from June onwards, mostly grilse. If that's not enough the scenery is awe inspiring.

Contact the Scourie Hotel for permits on 01971 502396.

Google Map Reference 58.076508, -4.443443

Checked 08/07/18

Loch Shin, Lairg Angling Club


Lairg AC have the fishing rights on a number of lochs in central Sutherland including Loch Shin, Beannach and Craggie. Loch Craggie has always been a good water to fish. Even has a Mayfly hatch. On the way up to Craggie there is a wee loch on the left, Dola, do not miss it, I got is when a hatch was on and had half a dozen fish of about a pound all on the dry fly, day tickets are available.

Loch Shin is a prolific stretch of water 14 miles long with large numbers of fish in the half to three quarters of a pound range and the chance of something big coming along is always on your mind.. Boat and bank on Shin.

If wading remember this loch was dammed and now covers what was once moorland. I discovered an old peat cut and got a heck of a shock, luckingly it wasn't too deep. I particularly liked the area around the mouth of the Tirry and the Fiag, the bay at Shinnery and had a memorable day fishing down past the hydro station at the top end of the loch. For boat bookings call 01549 402980.

For a start try a 3 fly cast Greeenwell or March Brown top dropper,always Peter Ross Middle amd Silver or Bloody Butcher on the tail, best combo ever on a Highland loch, size 10 / 12. .For Beannach and Craggie permits from Dunroamin Caravan Park, Main Street Lairg. Tel 01549 402447

Google Map Reference 58.030134, -4.413953

Checked 02/07/18

West Lothian

Allandale Tarn


Stocked daily with fish 1.8 to 18lbs. Rainbows, blues, tiger and brown trout. They also stock quantities of Arctic Char.

Permit options; day, 9 - 4.30pm, 4.30pm to dusk, parent and child and sporting ticket.

Contact Allandale Tarn, Gavieside, West Calder, West Lothian, EH55 8PT, call 01506 873073.

Google Map Reference 55.865312, -3.562377

Checked 11/08/18

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