Fishing regulations

District Salmon Fishery Board regulations

• Salmon season: 11th Feb to 31st Oct
• All salmon caught before the end of May should be returned
• All sea trout caught should be returned. This will apply until 2012 when the situation shall be reviewed.
• Catch and release for salmon is encouraged at all times.
• A bag limit of 1 salmon per angler per day is proposed.
• The use of barbless hooks is encouraged.
• Unseasonable salmon such as kelts and gravid fish must be returned.
• If escapee farm salmon are caught they should be killed.
• The sale of rod caught salmon is illegal.

• Salmon season: 11th Feb to 31st Oct
• Gyrodactylus salaris declaration forms must be signed by all anglers before fishing begins
• All salmon caught before the 31st May must be returned.
• All hen salmon caught in October must be returned
• All coloured salmon must be returned
• Killing of sea trout is not permitted. This rule has been put in place to protect the remaining stock of native sea trout.
• The bag limit is one salmon per day.
• The use of barbless hooks is encouraged.
• The use of multiple hook lures is discouraged
• All salmon caught, including those released must be included in catch returns
• Be aware of safety on and around the river.

• Salmon season: Feb 25th to 31st October
• The practice of Catch and Release is recommended. In particular: All salmon prior to the 31st May. All sea trout under 12" length or over 3lb in weight. Hen salmon and hen sea trout caught during October.
• NB It is illegal under the Salmon Act to kill immature fish e.g. parr or smolts. Anglers are requested to be familiar with catch and release techniques and to employ best practice.
• Please get appropriate tackle, in particular a) Gaffs and tailers are prohibited b) Barbless or pinched barb hooks are recommended NB The use of prawns or shrimps is illegal under the Scottish Executive Statutory Instrument No. 2750 Visiting anglers, or those returning from overseas fishing trips MUST disinfect all equipment, boots etc to prevent the spread of Gyrodactylus salaris. All fish, including those released, must be recorded in catch returns.

• Salmon season: 25th Feb to 31st Oct
• All anglers should read and sign the Gyrodactylus salaris (GS) declaration form.
• Fisherman who come from outside the area, or who have fished abroad recently, should sign the GS forms.
• All salmon caught before the end of May must be returned.
• At least 505 of all salmon and grilse should be returned
• The first fish caught by any angler each day should be returned.
• There is a limit of one salmon killed per anglers per day.
• In the interests of conservation all sea trout must be returned to the river.
• All Hen fish must be returned in October.
• The use of multi-hook lures are discouraged.
• Barbless hooks are recommended.
• Barbless hooks must be used when worm fishing.
• All fish including those released must be included in catch returns.
• The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards recommend that at least 50% of all salmon caught should be returned. The River Stinchar DSFB fully support this view.