Fisheries Code of Conduct

Please consider others and observe the Code of Conduct:

Stirling Council supports conservation of salmon and sea trout and it will be manadatory to release all fish caught prior to 1st June

Always

  • Fish upstream of other fishing anglers
  • Wait your turn to fish a pool from its head
  • Remove your old line and litter from the bank and dispose of sensibly
  • Stay about 15m from the next angler or 30m when they or you are using a fly
  • Respect the property, access and privacy of those who live or work on or near the fishery. Please park your car considerately and don’t block access.
  • Beware of other users of the river or bank.
  • Ripe or darkly coloured fish should be returned to the water. If in doubt, RETURN it!
  • Fish being returned to the water should not be handled by the tail and should be released as quickly as possible. Remove the hook and return the fish facing upstream until it swims away.
  • Fish being retained should be killed as quickly as possible using a priest or appropriate instrument.

Code of Conduct Procedures

  1. All anglers must obey the rules set down by Stirling Council.  Failure to do so may result in misconduct proceedings.
  2. Where matters of misconduct have been reported these will be investigated and a full report detailing all the circumstances will be reported to the Council officials for consideration.
  3. Depending on the nature of the allegation, matters may be dealt with in writing, however, those allegations of a serious nature may be dealt with by way of a misconduct hearing.
  4. Penalties for those breaking rules are set by Stirling Council will range from warnings to, fines to bans.
  5. There will be an appeals procedure.  Appeals against any decisions have to be lodged in writing within 14 days outlining the grounds for appeal.  All appeals to be lodged with Land Services Manger.
  6. Persons under investigation will be notified as soon as is practicably possible and may be suspended pending the outcome of any investigation.
  7. Any decisions taken will be notified in writing and will be recorded and held for future reference by Stirling Council.

    Where an incident of misconduct has been reported the matter will be investigated in the first incidence by the fisheries officer. He/She will be responsible for gathering all available evidence and reporting the case to the Countryside Team Leader for his/her consideration.  If the matter under investigation is considered to be minor then a final decision in respect of how that case may be dealt with can be taken by the Countryside Team Leader. If, however, the matter is considered to be one of the more serious nature then this should be referred to the Land Services Manager via the Countryside Team Leader.  Thereafter it will be the decision of the Land Services Manger whether the case can be dealt with by way of letter or if it requires to be heard as part of a misconduct hearing.

Note: All fishery rules will be published on permits.

If necessary bailiffs will withdraw permits when rules are not observed.

If you have any questions regarding this information please do not hesitate to contact the Countryside Service.