Fishing Responsibly Around the Forth

Fishing responsibly is important so that you stay on the right side of the law and provide the best image for the sport. This page is to help anglers understand how to fish responsibly around the Forth.

Salmon & Sea Trout

• If fishing for salmon or sea trout, it is a criminal offence to fish for them without permission from the fishery owner. Make sure that you have arranged a permit if targeting these species.
• Permission to fish for salmon and sea trout is required into the coastal and esturine zones up to 1.5 miles from the mean low water tide mark. Make sure to arrange a permit if you are targeting these species.
• It is against the law to use prawns or shrimp in the Forth District.
• It is illegal to kill a fish within a category 3 river.
• It is illegal to fish within a fish pass. This can range from technical fish passes, bypass channels around weirs or rock ramps.
• Fishing with certain bait and lures is allowed from the 1st June until 26th August. Make sure to check with your fishery for any  local restrictions.  More information on the Forth DSFB website.
• Fishing for salmon and sea trout ranges from the 1st February to the 31st October. (Local fishery rules apply)
• It is illegal to retain a salmon before the 1st April. The Forth DSFB advocate the 1st June.
• Always follow the rules for the fishery you are fishing. If you break the fishery rules, this would be in contravention of the fisheries rules you have agreed to when purchasing your permit and  would result in you fishing without written permission.

 Trout & Coarse Fish

• It is a civil offence to fish for trout or coarse fish without permission from the fishery owner or landowner. Make sure to speak to whoever owns the river bank you are looking to fish to gain permission.

Angling Etiquette

• Always wait to fish a pool from its head.
• always remove litter and old line.
• Always stay 15-30m away from the next angler fishing.  
• When parking, make sure to not block any farm gates, driveways, or roads. 
• Always respect property, access points and the privacy of people who live on or near the river