Fishing in Stirling
When and where you can fish around Stirling, and guidance on permits and rules.
What we do
Stirling Council:
- manages the salmon fisheries in Stirling and Callander
- provides good quality and well-managed public salmon fishery for the benefit of both residents and visitors
- promotes salmon conservation by limiting what anglers can take away, while still providing a full season of fishing
Fishing season
Salmon fishing
The salmon fishing season runs from 1 February to 31 October.
Trout season
The trout season runs from 15 March to 6 October.
When you can fish during these seasons
During these seasons, you can fish from Monday to Saturday.
You cannot fish on Sunday.
Rivers
River Forth
The River Forth is 47 km (29 miles) long. It's one of Scotland's major rivers, and drains the eastern part of the central belt.
Route of the Forth
The Forth rises in Loch Ard, which is a mountainous area of the Trossachs that's 30km (19 miles) west of Stirling.
It flows eastward through Aberfoyle, and is then joined by the River Teith and the River Allan.
From Stirling, the Forth flows east over the Carse of Stirling. It passes Cambus, where it's joined by the River Devon, and then Alloa and Airth.
After Kincardine, the river widens into an estuary. This is known as the Firth of Forth.
Water levels
Read SEPA's water level data for the River Forth at Craigforth, Stirling
River Teith
The River Teith is a branch of the River Forth. It's renowned for its fishing, and for an arched bridge that's half a mile south-west of Doune
Route of the Teith
The Teith begins in Callander, then flows through Deanston and Doune. It then joins the River Forth near Stirling.
Water levels
Read SEPA's water level data for the River Teith at the Bridge of Teith
Permits
You can use a single Stirling Council permit for:
- spring fishing
- sea trout fishing
- summer fishing
- back end fishing
This permit:
- covers both the River Teith and the River Forth
- is available to residents and visitors
A 9-month permit for an adult angler costs £210. A concession price is available at £158.00.
A season permit for an angler aged 12 to 21 costs £16.
Day permits are available and vary in price depending on the season, they are available on the Fishing Around the Forth website.
Anglers under 12 can fish for free, as long as:
- they’re with a paying adult
- they put back any fish they catch
How to buy a permit
You can buy any type of Stirling Council permit from the Fishing Around the Forth website's online shop.
Fisheries
The following fishing spots are within a 12-mile radius of Stirling.
| Fishing spot | Location | Types of fish at this location |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Hill Reservoir | By Muckhart | Brown trout, rainbow trout, pike, perch |
| Cockburn Reservoir | Bridge of Allan | Brown trout |
| Crook of Devon Fishery | By Kinross | Brown trout, rainbow trout |
| Glenquey Reservoir | By Muckhart | Brown trout |
| Glensherrup Trout Fishery | By Dollar | Rainbow trout, brown trout |
| Loch Coulter | By Denny | Brown trout |
| Loch Leven | By Kinross | Brown trout, rainbow trout |
| Lower Frandy Reservoir | By Muckhart | Brown trout |
| River Allan | Bridge of Allan | Salmon, sea trout and brown trout |
| River Carron | By Denny | Brown trout, sea trout, salmon, grilse |
| River Devon | Clackmannanshire | Brown trout, salmon, sea trout |
| River Forth | Stirling | Salmon, sea trout, brown trout |
| Swans Water | Stirling | Trout |
| Wellsfield Farm Fishery | Denny | Trout |
Rules and regulations
General regulations
You must:
- only use one rod for each fishing permit
- hold your rod by hand rather than propping it on a stick or a rod rest
You must not:
- fish on water that’s covered by a protection order without paying for a permit
- fish for or take away salmon or sea trout on a Sunday
Until 1 June, any fish you catch must be returned live to the water.
Safety regulations
If you’re planning to fish in an isolated loch or river, you should always tell someone:
- your intended route
- when you think you’ll return
If you’re boat fishing, you must:
- always wears a properly fitting life jacket or buoyancy aid
- not stand up or move about in the boat while you’re fishing
Angler’s code of conduct
You should always:
- fish upstream of other fishing anglers
- wait your turn to fish a pool from its head
- remove your old line, cans bottles and all litter from the riverbank
- stay about 15m from the next angler, and 30m when they or you are using a fly
- respect the property, access and privacy of people who live on or by the fishery