The law relating to salmon and freshwater fisheries is complex. There are different provisions for different species, including permissible methods for fishing, close times, catch and release requirements and other regulations. A key feature is the way the law differentiates between salmon and sea trout (migratory salmonids) and brown trout and other freshwater fish.
As well as the key governing legislation – the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 – national salmon conservation regulations have applied since 2016 which manage the exploitation of salmon in inland waters on an annual basis through a river categorisation system. There are also a range of local regulations which prohibit certain baits and lures used in salmon fishing.
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003
The 2003 Act consolidated the vast majority of the Scottish salmon and freshwater fisheries law into a single Act. The 2003 Act is the key governing legislation for Scotland’s district salmon fishery boards, and it sets out the provisions for the constitution, composition and financing of the boards. It is also the framework for a number of other important regulatory areas, including legal methods of fishing and offences, close times, local regulatory measures, protection of juvenile and spawning salmon, passage of salmon, and general powers relating to appointment of water bailiffs and enforcement of salmon and freshwater fisheries law. We have produced a short guide to Freshwater fisheries & the law in Scotland This guide is not a legal document and does not provide a legal view on any of the provisions. A list of the key Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries offences is provided below.
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 – key offences