Discover rivers, lochs, fisheries and angling destinations across the Scottish Highlands. Find salmon, trout, pike and fly-fishing opportunities, with useful website and contact information to help plan your trip.
The Scottish Highlands offer an extraordinary range of fishing, from salmon rivers and wild brown trout lochs to remote hill waters, estate fisheries and accessible angling club waters.
We've brought together 50 notable fishing locations and fisheries to create a useful starting point for anglers exploring the Highlands. Use the filters below to narrow the directory by area, fishing type and water type.
Before travelling, always check the current rules, seasons, permits, access arrangements and conservation requirements with the relevant fishery or fishing-rights holder.
Scotland does not operate a general recreational fishing licence. However, anglers need the appropriate permission to fish the water concerned. Fishing rights can be separate from land ownership, and local permits and restrictions can apply.
Always check the current arrangements directly with the fishery, angling club, estate or relevant fisheries organisation before fishing.
Famous Highland salmon water running through Inverness. The River Ness also offers opportunities for sea trout and brown trout, with several pools managed by Inverness Angling Club.
One of Scotland's best-known salmon rivers and the historic home of Spey casting, flowing through spectacular Highland scenery.
A renowned Highland salmon and sea-trout river flowing through dramatic wooded gorges and open countryside before reaching Findhorn Bay.
One of northern Scotland's best-known salmon rivers, flowing 21 miles from Loch Naver northwards to Torrisdale Bay.
A major east-coast Highland salmon river with approximately 24 miles of private and local angling water.
Around 26 miles of Highland salmon water. The river has a varied character and a number of rotating fishing beats.
A wild Highland river rising around Ben More Assynt and flowing through Glen Oykel to the Kyle of Sutherland.
A large Highland river system incorporating the Conon, Blackwater, Meig, Bran and several lochs and reservoirs.
A picturesque Highland salmon river running from Loch Morie towards the Cromarty Firth, with several separate fishing interests.
A well-known Highland salmon river and Beauly Firth system with angling club and private fishing interests.
A picturesque Sutherland river with upper and lower sections separated by Loch Brora and fishing opportunities associated with estates and clubs.
A medium-sized spate river running north through the Flow Country towards Melvich Bay, noted for salmon fishing.
Remote northern Highland fishing associated with the Hope and Strathmore estates and the spectacular Loch Hope landscape.
A remote northern river associated with the Loch Hope and Strathmore fishing system.
A spectacular west-coast Highland river system draining Loch Maree towards Poolewe and the sea.
A Highland river system around Ullapool and Loch Broom, surrounded by classic northwest Highland scenery and numerous fishing waters nearby.
A remote west-coast Highland river system flowing towards Gruinard Bay, with salmon and trout interests in the wider catchment.
A northern Highland river associated with the spectacular Assynt landscape and the waters around Loch Assynt.
A well-known Sutherland salmon river flowing through the central Highlands and associated with the Loch Shin catchment.
A scenic Highland salmon and trout river flowing through the Wester Ross landscape towards the west coast.
A remote north-coast Highland river within the wild Flow Country, offering salmon and trout fishing interests.
A remote northern Highland river in the Kyle of Durness area, surrounded by some of Scotland's wildest scenery.
An estuary section of the Halladale with fishing availability described by regional fishing information sources and local management.
A spectacular sea-loch and estuarine fishing area associated with the Kinloch River and Tongue Angling Club.
The deepest freshwater body in Britain, stretching around 18.8km through spectacular west Highland scenery. Fishing includes trout and migratory species under local regulations.
A large northern Highland loch forming the headwater of the River Naver, with salmon and wild brown trout fishing associated with the wider estate.
A remote northern Highland loch surrounded by dramatic mountains, with boat fishing associated with local estates and angling interests.
A long, narrow loch in Strath Brora with local angling club fishing and boat availability.
Highland loch controlled by Loch Achonachie Angling Club, with wild brown trout fishing alongside other species.
Highland loch within the Loch Achonachie Angling Club system, offering brown trout and other freshwater fishing.
A substantial Highland loch within the wider Conon system, surrounded by mountains and connected to important fishing waters.
A Highland loch forming part of the extensive Conon catchment, offering opportunities for freshwater fishing subject to local rules.
A large reservoir in the upper Conon system, part of a major Highland hydro catchment and surrounded by remote mountain scenery.
A remote Highland reservoir associated with the Conon catchment and freshwater angling opportunities.
A beautiful Perthshire Highland loch with brown trout and pike fishing opportunities managed through local fishing arrangements.
A major Perthshire Highland loch offering brown trout, Arctic charr, perch and pike fishing under a permit system.
A scenic Perthshire fishing loch with brown and rainbow trout, with local permit and access arrangements.
A picturesque trout loch associated with the Pitlochry angling area, with visitor fishing available under local arrangements.
A major Perthshire Highland river with salmon and trout fishing, including water around Pitlochry and the Tummel system.
A Highland river flowing through the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie and associated with salmon and trout fishing around Pitlochry.
A Highland river draining Loch Awe towards Loch Etive, with salmon, sea trout and trout fishing opportunities.
A dramatic Highland river running through Glen Etive, surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Scotland.
A west Highland river system recognised within Scotland's salmon fisheries records and surrounded by remote mountain scenery.
A remote west-coast river within the Kerry and Badachro fishing system, surrounded by classic Highland scenery.
A remote west Highland water on the Applecross Peninsula, surrounded by dramatic mountain and coastal scenery.
A west-coast Highland river associated with the Balgy system and spectacular scenery around Lochalsh and the Skye-facing coast.
A remote west Highland river flowing through one of the quieter and more rugged corners of the region.
Highland salmon waters on the east coast around Berriedale and Langwell, surrounded by steep glens and dramatic coastal scenery.
A northern Caithness river and local fishing system around Wick, offering a different style of Highland angling from the larger rivers.
A large and accessible Assynt loch around 8km long, offering bank and boat fishing for brown trout, ferox, Arctic char and migratory fish.
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The Scottish Highlands are one of the UK's most spectacular destinations for anglers. From famous salmon rivers and wild brown trout lochs to remote hill waters and accessible local fisheries, there is an enormous variety of fishing to discover.
Highland fishing opportunities can be found throughout the region, including around Inverness, Loch Ness, Speyside, Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Assynt, Fort William, Pitlochry and the Cairngorms. Many of the region's best-known waters are surrounded by dramatic mountains, forests, moorland and coastline.
Depending on the water and season, anglers may encounter Atlantic salmon, sea trout, brown trout, Arctic char, rainbow trout, pike, perch and other freshwater species. Fishing methods and permitted species vary from one water to another.
There is no general recreational fishing licence in Scotland. However, anglers must have the appropriate permission to fish the water concerned. Fishing rights may belong to an estate, landowner, angling club or other fishery owner, and permits or written permission may be required.
Fishing seasons, conservation measures, permitted methods, catch-and-release rules and access arrangements can change. Always contact the relevant fishery, estate, angling club or fisheries organisation before travelling and follow the current local rules.