Scottish Fishing Calendar
Updated for 2027
Scotland offers a huge variety of fishing throughout the year, from wild brown trout and salmon in rivers and lochs to pollock, mackerel, cod, bass and many other species around the coast.
We’ve created this Scottish Fishing Calendar to give anglers an idea of what they may be able to target during different months of the year. Whether you’re travelling to Scotland specifically for fishing or planning to fit a few days of fishing into a wider Scottish adventure, the calendar can help you get an idea of what species may be around and what sort of fishing you might want to prepare for.
The calendar covers both freshwater and sea fishing, with the species and opportunities changing throughout the seasons.
Important
This calendar is intended as a general guide rather than a definitive fishing regulations guide. Fishing opportunities vary considerably between rivers, lochs, fisheries and coastal areas, and conditions can change from year to year.
The information below is intended to give you an idea of the species you may generally find being targeted, or actively feeding, at different times of year. Always check the current regulations, permits, fishery rules and local conditions before fishing.
Full Year 2027 Calendar, Fishing in Scotland
JANUARY
Freshwater Fishing
Grayling — an important winter target, particularly on suitable rivers.
Pike — stillwater and river pike can provide winter sport.
Salmon — early-season opportunities may be available on some rivers.
Winter fishing can be rewarding, although cold temperatures, short daylight hours and higher river levels can make conditions challenging.
Sea Fishing
Cod — one of the main winter targets, with colder water bringing cod closer to some coastal marks.
Whiting — a reliable winter species and often an important target when cod are difficult to find.
Dabs — particularly relevant around sandy beaches and estuaries.
Dogfish — commonly encountered during winter shore sessions.
Flounder — a potential target around estuaries and sandy or muddy ground.
Coalfish — another species that can feature around rocky and mixed ground.
Winter sea fishing can be particularly productive after unsettled weather, although exposed coastal marks can also become dangerous in poor conditions.
FEBRUARY
Freshwater Fishing
Grayling
Salmon
Pike
Grayling remain an important winter target while early-season salmon fishing begins to develop on some rivers.
Sea Fishing
Cod — winter cod fishing can continue to provide opportunities, particularly around suitable beaches and rough ground.
Whiting — a dependable cold-water species.
Dogfish
Conger eel — a potential target around rocky marks, piers and deeper water.
Dabs
Flounder
Coalfish
The colder months can provide some of the best opportunities for anglers specifically targeting winter species.
MARCH
Freshwater Fishing
Brown Trout — spring brings increasing insect activity and the start of more widespread trout fishing.
Grayling
Salmon
Pike
As temperatures begin to rise, rivers and lochs gradually become more active and trout fishing starts to develop.
Sea Fishing
Thornback rays — a possible spring target around suitable sandy and mixed ground.
Bass — beginning to appear in some coastal areas and estuaries.
Flounder
Coalfish
Plaice — beginning to feature as spring progresses.
Dogfish
March marks the transition from winter fishing towards the more varied spring period.
APRIL
Freshwater Fishing
Brown Trout
Salmon
Grayling
Pike
Spring brings increasingly active trout fishing, with insect hatches developing and salmon fishing improving as the season progresses.
Sea Fishing
Plaice — spring can bring plaice closer to suitable inshore marks.
Bass — increasingly relevant around surf beaches and estuaries.
Smoothhound — appearing as coastal waters warm and crab activity increases.
Thornback rays
Black bream — a possible spring and summer target in suitable areas.
Flounder
Pollock
April sees the sea-fishing season becoming considerably more varied.
MAY
Freshwater Fishing
Brown Trout
Salmon
Sea Trout
Grayling
Trout fishing generally becomes more productive as insect activity increases, while salmon fishing continues to develop.
Sea Fishing
Smoothhound — an important spring target where suitable crab-rich ground is available.
Bass — increasingly active around beaches, estuaries and rocky coastline.
Thornback rays
Black bream
Tope — a possible target as summer approaches.
Plaice
Pollock
Mackerel — beginning to appear in some areas as the sea warms.
May is an important transition month, with a growing range of species becoming available to shore and boat anglers.
JUNE
Freshwater Fishing
Brown Trout
Salmon
Sea Trout
Grayling
Pike
Highland trout fishing becomes increasingly attractive as the season develops, while sea trout can become an important summer target.
Sea Fishing
Mackerel — increasingly common as summer shoals arrive.
Pollock — particularly interesting around rocky ground and deeper marks.
Bass
Smoothhound
Tope
Thornback rays
Wrasse
Garfish
Coalfish
June brings some of the most varied coastal fishing of the year, with warmer water and increasing baitfish activity.
JULY
Freshwater Fishing
Brown Trout
Salmon
Grilse
Sea Trout
Grayling
Pike
Summer provides a wide range of freshwater opportunities. Salmon and grilse become increasingly important targets, while trout fishing continues across Scotland.
Sea Fishing
Mackerel — one of the classic summer targets, with shoals providing fast sport from suitable piers, rocks and boats.
Pollock — particularly relevant around rocky ground and deeper coastal marks.
Wrasse — a popular summer rocky-shore target.
Tope — a potential target for anglers looking for a larger summer predator.
Bass — possible around surf beaches, estuaries and rocky coastline.
Coalfish
Haddock
Ling
Gurnard
Rays
Skate
July can offer an exceptionally varied range of sea-fishing opportunities around Scotland.
AUGUST
Freshwater Fishing
Salmon
Grilse
Brown Trout
Sea Trout
Grayling
Pike
Late summer can be an exciting period for salmon and grilse, while trout and other freshwater species remain available across Scotland.
Sea Fishing
Mackerel
Pollock
Wrasse
Bass
Tope
Rays
Skate
Gurnard
Coalfish
Conger eel
Ling
Summer sea fishing remains highly varied, with both shore and boat opportunities depending on location.
SEPTEMBER
Freshwater Fishing
Salmon
Brown Trout
Sea Trout
Grayling
Pike
Autumn brings renewed activity to many rivers and lochs. Salmon become a major target on many systems, while trout and grayling can also provide good sport.
Sea Fishing
Bass — autumn can be an excellent period for targeting larger bass.
Rays
Smoothhound
Pollock
Mackerel
Tope
Conger eel
Plaice
Early cod — beginning to become relevant as autumn progresses.
Coalfish
Sea fishing remains varied, but the changing weather and shorter days begin to signal the approach of the winter season.
OCTOBER
Freshwater Fishing
Salmon
Brown Trout
Sea Trout
Pike
Grayling
Autumn salmon fishing can be particularly notable, while pike and grayling become increasingly interesting targets.
Sea Fishing
Cod — autumn storms and cooling water can bring cod increasingly into consideration.
Codling — smaller cod can provide good sport before the main winter period.
Bass
Whiting
Coalfish
Rays
Pollock
Conger eel
Dabs
October marks the transition towards the main winter sea-fishing period.
NOVEMBER
Freshwater Fishing
Grayling
Pike
Salmon — late-season opportunities on some rivers.
Grayling becomes increasingly important as the freshwater year moves towards winter, while pike remain a potential target.
Sea Fishing
Cod
Whiting
Dogfish
Rays
Coalfish
Conger eel
Pollock
Dabs
Flounder
As the sea cools, winter species become increasingly important around the Scottish coast.
DECEMBER
Freshwater Fishing
Grayling
Pike
Winter fishing focuses largely on grayling and pike, with cold weather and river conditions often determining when fishing is practical.
Sea Fishing
Cod — one of the main winter targets.
Whiting — a classic cold-water species.
Dogfish
Dabs
Flounder
Coalfish
Conger eel
Pollock
Winter sea fishing can produce good opportunities for anglers prepared for the conditions, particularly around suitable beaches, estuaries, rocky marks and deeper water.
Planning a Fishing Trip to Scotland
One of the great things about fishing in Scotland is the variety of environments available. Depending on the time of year and the type of fishing you’re interested in, you could find yourself fishing a Highland river, casting from the shore on the west coast, exploring a remote loch or heading out by boat.
If you’re travelling from overseas, the calendar can also help you decide what fishing equipment to bring with you. An angler visiting Scotland in July, for example, may want to prepare very differently from someone visiting in January.
Think about the species you are most interested in targeting, the type of water you will be fishing and the conditions you are likely to encounter before deciding what rods, reels, lines, lures, flies and other tackle to pack.
Freshwater or Sea Fishing?
Scotland gives anglers the opportunity to combine different types of fishing during the same trip.
A summer visit could include brown trout or salmon fishing in the Highlands followed by an evening of sea fishing for mackerel or pollock on the coast. An autumn trip might combine river fishing with bass, codling or other coastal targets.
The best choice will depend on where you are travelling and what you want to catch.
Fishing and Exploring Scotland
Fishing can also be a great way to build a wider trip around Scotland. Many of the country’s rivers, lochs and coastal fishing locations are well away from the main tourist routes, giving anglers an opportunity to explore parts of Scotland they might otherwise miss.
If you’re travelling with fishing equipment, a campervan can make it easier to move between different areas and combine fishing with walking, sightseeing and exploring the countryside.
For visitors arriving without all their own outdoor equipment, Scotlander offers campervan and outdoor equipment hire near Edinburgh, providing a starting point for exploring Scotland and building a fishing trip around the country.
Always check the latest fishing regulations, local permits, fishery rules and conditions before setting out.