1. Fishing Seasons Salmon – February 1st to October 15th. See rules 2, 3 and 4 for full guidance on 2022 regulations for salmon angling on the River Ness. Sea Trout – March 1st to October 15th. Brown Trout – March 15th to October 6th. All sea trout and brown trout under 10 inches must be returned unharmed to the water.
2. Catches For season 2022 the Scottish Government has introduced legislation which, for conservation purposes, makes it illegal for anglers to kill any salmon & grilse anywhere on the Ness System between 15th January and 30th June. During this (Category 3) period an angler caught in possession of a dead salmon or grilse faces prosecution which may result in a criminal conviction. From 1st July to 15th October only one cock fish weighing 8 pounds/69cm/27 inches or less may be retained per angler per week with a maximum of two being retained per per angler per season. All hen fish of any size and all cock fish over 8 pounds/69cm/27 inches must be released. All coloured and unseasonable fish must also be released. This new law does not apply when you catch trout or sea trout.
3. Returns Every angler who catches a salmon or grilse must register their catch within 24 hours by sending a text to the mobile number included in the booking
4. Fishing Methods Fly and spinning are allowed throughout the season. As part of the Ness Conservation Policy, as agreed with the Scottish Government, worm fishing is only permitted between 1st July and 31st August. Fishing from bridges, abutments or boats, and bait fishing with natural shrimp or prawn (and the possession, on the river bank, of these baits and associated tackle), are strictly prohibited. The use of gaffs, tailers and knotted mesh landing nets is prohibited under Scottish law.
5. Order of Fishing Anglers arriving at either side of a beat will begin fishing in order of arrival at a beat post and move down two yards at every cast until either terminating fishing or reaching the next beat post. When an angler has moved down 30 yards, the next angler will follow. On reaching the next beat post, an angler must cease fishing if other anglers are waiting to fish but may continue fishing if no one is waiting. An angler at a beat post who is not ready to fish will lose his/her turn and take the next place. A waiting angler will not commence fishing if an upstream angler is within 30 yards of the beat post but must wait until the other angler reaches the post and leaves the water. After landing and releasing a salmon or grilse an angler must leave the water and take his/her place behind those waiting at a beat post. An angler who loses a fish may continue fishing.
6 Note for Visiting Anglers. All visiting anglers must submit a return of their catches showing the number and weight of fish caught and released and caught and kept and whether they were salmon or sea trout.
Although it is not a particularly difficult river to wade it is recommended that anglers always consider their own and other’s safety by wearing a life preserver when fishing.
