Scottish fishing legalities

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Apr 4, 2021
5
2
30
Scotland
Hey guys. I was wondering if anyone here knows where in Scotland (in or around ayrshire) you can fish without written permission, and do so legally. I know you can sea fish this way without any bother but I'm looking for freshwater fishing, wilder the better
 

Allans865

Full Member
Nov 17, 2016
470
196
East Kilbride
Hi mate,

Loch Doon in Galloway Forest Park is free to fish.

There may also be other Lochs on the Forest Park free to fish, but I don't want to quote any names, as I'm not 100% sure.

ATB,

Allan

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
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SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
2,583
452
53
Perthshire
A lot of lochs and river beats have limitations due to leasing of rites to local clubs or are owned by estates. However bank fishing usually costs little and I've found that when asking for permits the fee has often been waived. Do some research for the area rather than fall foul. My understanding, and I'm open to be challenged, is that if found fishing illegally i.e. poaching, by the gamekeeper he can impound all your belongings including a vehicle if that is believed to have been supportive of you poaching. And then they can prosecute you.
Whilst you have right of access to land it is only on foot and only whilst you are on passage. It doesn't lend itself to fishing, snaring, hunting etc. Asking and paying a small amount would likely pay dividend in guidance of best tackle or best locale. Equally it may help develop a trusting relationship which may give you greater access. Good luck.
 
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C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,354
2,364
Bedfordshire

Pretty heavy reading. I think that in Scotland poaching migratory fish is a criminal matter and poaching freshwater fish is still a civil matter.

Something I did notice about some of the waters up there, the annual permit could cost little more than a day permit.
 
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SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
2,583
452
53
Perthshire
Where I live a day ticket costs less than a tenner and gives you a few miles of riverbank and half a substantial loch. If you live in Perth a resident ticket gives considerable beats on the Tay for the price of the administration of it. Back in 2009 it was £2.50.
 
Apr 4, 2021
5
2
30
Scotland
Thank you guys, I bought a membership to the Cumnock angling association and I now have up until November to fish 8 miles of the lugar water any time I please. The ticket says no migratory fish this season but can CandR. Also 3 brownies per session. Some obscure Sunday rules and the guys have tried explaining them but I'm not sure what they mean so I'll just stick to mon-sat.
 
Apr 4, 2021
5
2
30
Scotland
A lot of lochs and river beats have limitations due to leasing of rites to local clubs or are owned by estates. However bank fishing usually costs little and I've found that when asking for permits the fee has often been waived. Do some research for the area rather than fall foul. My understanding, and I'm open to be challenged, is that if found fishing illegally i.e. poaching, by the gamekeeper he can impound all your belongings including a vehicle if that is believed to have been supportive of you poaching. And then they can prosecute you.
Whilst you have right of access to land it is only on foot and only whilst you are on passage. It doesn't lend itself to fishing, snaring, hunting etc. Asking and paying a small amount would likely pay dividend in guidance of best tackle or best locale. Equally it may help develop a trusting relationship which may give you greater access. Good luck.
Round here during lockdown it seems like the local associations have agreements with land owners and sort out memberships from there
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
Folks get all over using those association tickets.
We live half a mile from the middle reaches of the Clyde, a couple of miles downstream from where the Avon joins it. Himself was out walking last week and he met fishermen who'd come across from Ayr to fish the river here.
It's a good way to see the country :)
 

SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
2,583
452
53
Perthshire
Thank you guys, I bought a membership to the Cumnock angling association and I now have up until November to fish 8 miles of the lugar water any time I please. The ticket says no migratory fish this season but can CandR. Also 3 brownies per session. Some obscure Sunday rules and the guys have tried explaining them but I'm not sure what they mean so I'll just stick to mon-sat.
That sounds similar to ours.
 

1 pot hunter

Banned
Oct 24, 2022
379
84
31
Sheffield

Pretty heavy reading. I think that in Scotland poaching migratory fish is a criminal matter and poaching freshwater fish is still a civil matter.

Something I did notice about some of the waters up there, the annual permit could cost little more than a day permit.
Does the fishing passport scheme apply to Scotland I fished the wye for next to nothing near the Peak District through this the landowner tried buttering us up with canapés thinking we was paying big his face fell when he seen our fishing passports
 

1 pot hunter

Banned
Oct 24, 2022
379
84
31
Sheffield
Thank you guys, I bought a membership to the Cumnock angling association and I now have up until November to fish 8 miles of the lugar water any time I please. The ticket says no migratory fish this season but can CandR. Also 3 brownies per session. Some obscure Sunday rules and the guys have tried explaining them but I'm not sure what they mean so I'll just stick to mon-sat.
Can u take the brownies home or ?
 

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