Top Trout Fishing Spots in Orkney

Loch Harray Harray is Orkney's largest and most famous trout loch. With over 14 miles of shoreline, it offers excellent wading. In spring and early summer the best fishing is in the shallows, along the shore, around the islands, points, bays, and skerries; floating lines are preferred. In mid-summer, the fish tend to move to deeper, cooler water and long drifts through the middle of the loch with intermediate or sinking lines will often be most productive. Harray trout are beautifully marked, averaging just under the pound, and occasionally up to 2 lbs. Boat hire from the Merkister Hotel, Harray, Tel: 01856 771366.	Loch Harray
Loch Boardhouse A good-sized loch, running north-west to south-east for about 3 miles in length. It's very different to Harray; shallow throughout, becoming weedy in the summer, with long uninterrupted shorelines and very few skerries. Long drifts across the middle of the loch are often the most productive, and floating lines rule! The trout tend to average about ¾lb, but there are good numbers of fish in excess of 2lbs. Boat hire and permits from Barony Hotel, Birsay, Tel: 01856 721327.	Loch Boardhouse
Loch Hundland Hundland is similar in character to Boardhouse, though smaller. The loch is also very shallow, with large areas of skerries at the northern, and particularly the southern ends, so a floater is all that's needed. Weed growth is prolific in the middle of the loch in summer months. Most trout are in the ½ lbs to 1lb range, with a few up to 2 lbs. Boat hire and permits from Mr R. Hourston, Tel: 01856 721275 or Jim Sinclair, Tel: 01856 771257.	Loch Hundland
Loch Swannay The most northerly of the mainland lochs; very different to nearby Boardhouse and Hundland. Bordered in part by peat clad hills, the water is peat-stained. Despite the poorer clarity it is the most dour of these lochs in bright sunshine and best fished when overcast. Around the island in particular are large areas of skerries, and great care is needed on the outboard. Great quality trout; 2 lbs+ fish are quite common, and action can be spectacular. Boat hire/permits from Mr R Breck, Tel: 01856 721281.	Loch Swannay
Loch of Kirbister One for the less experienced, or if you are blown off elsewhere, Kirbister is noted for large 'baskets' of free rising trout, which although only average around the 1/2lb mark, can provide great sport, wading from the bank. No boat hire available, bank fishing only.	Loch Kirbister
Loch of Stenness The Loch of Stenness is a very large brackish loch, located next to the sea, and separated from Harray by a narrow causeway. Stenness is less popular with visiting anglers, perhaps because of its unusual character, and the varying water levels and salinity. The loch contains some specimen trout though, and sea trout enter it following high tides in summer months, so it's definitely one to consider. No boat hire available, bank fishing only.	Loch of Stenness
Lochs Skaill & Clumly Skaill and Clumly are trophy waters, with trout averaging over 2 lbs, and the fishing is reserved for OTFA members only. These are 'early season' lochs, partly because weed growth become excessive in the summer, and also it's said, because the lochs sustain high fishing pressure from the start of the season. Bank fishing only, reserved for OTFA members only.	Loch of Skaill