Shetland trout fishing

Shetland has long been known as a paradise for anglers, with literally hundreds of lochs to choose from. Throughout the islands you can find abundant, hard-fighting brown trout and, if you're lucky, sea trout too. Fish average around the half pound mark, but many lochs contain much bigger trout, with fish over 4lb not uncommon. Much bigger fish have also occasionally been caught.

Although most lochs contain only a natural, wild population of fish, Shetland Anglers Association has operated a limited restocking programme, concentrating on those lochs where this has been considered necessary. The association has also restocked large numbers of sea trout into areas that have traditionally supported strong populations. This policy is showing good signs of success.

The most popular method of trout fishing is with the fly, either from the bank, a boat or float-tube. The anglers association has a number of boats available to hire around the islands, and a list of these can be found here. Spinning is also widely used, though a number of lochs, such as Spiggie and Benston, are designated fly only.

A wide variety of fly patterns can be successful in Shetland, and local anglers will all have their own personal favourites. But we have compiled a list of some of the most popular flies, which you can see here.

Before fishing in Shetland, please take a look at our rules and regulations. You can buy your permit here.

Can all anglers please ensure that they do not disturb breeding birds when fishing. It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981, to wilfully disturb breeding Red-throated Divers and Whooper Swans at, or near, their nests. The island at Tingwall Loch supports one of the largest colonies of Black-headed Gulls in Shetland, as well as Tufted Ducks and Red-breasted Merganser. Please avoid the island in May and June. Many wading birds, terns and gulls, will repeatedly utter alarm calls when you are close to their nest. If this happens then please move away from the area.