Fishing the Lochs of Southern Scotland

By Alex Clayton · Updated 24 October 2026

Southern Scotland loch fishing splits into two regions. Dumfries and Galloway has big lowland pike and perch lochs plus wild brown trout in the hills, and the Scottish Borders has a smaller set of mixed lochs and trout stillwaters. You don’t need a rod licence for any of it, just a permit from whoever owns the fishing rights, and on the Borders’ best-known loch that costs £10 for 24 hours.

Loch Ken and St Mary’s Loch are the two all-species waters most anglers start with. Galloway Forest Park and the club lochs around Kirkcudbright cover the wild trout side. For the rest of the country, see our guide to fishing in Scotland.

Where to Fish: Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders

Most guides to Dumfries and Galloway fishing stop at Loch Ken. The region has far more water than that, and the Borders gets even less coverage, so here are the named venues for both.

Dumfries and Galloway

Loch Ken: a long lowland loch holding pike, perch and trout. It is part of the Galloway hydro scheme, so Drax sets designated fishing zones, and Crossmichael Marina sells bank and boat permits. Our Loch Ken fishing guide has the zones, permit issuers and rules in full.
Galloway Forest Park hill lochs: managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and known for wild brown trout. Several are recovering from acidification, according to the Galloway Fisheries Trust, so expect remote water and fishing that varies from loch to loch.
Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright Angling Association waters: Loch Whineyon for brown trout and Lochenbreck for rainbows, which the club stocks monthly. Visitors can buy day tickets.
Woodhall Loch: a coarse option with pike, perch and roach.
Trout stillwaters: Glenquicken, Greenhill (day tickets), Green Frog near Moffat, Alderneuk and the Drumlanrig lochs.

Scottish Borders

For borders loch fishing, St Mary’s Loch is the anchor. Run by St Mary’s Angling Club, it holds brown trout, pike and perch, is fished year-round, and all fishing is catch and release. One 24-hour permit covers every species, and the club has boats for hire, so it suits a mixed trip where you fly for trout in the morning and switch to lures for pike later in the day. Permits, sellers and boat rules are in the permits section below.

The rest of the region is mainly trout stillwaters:

Water	Main fishing	Notes
Kailzie	Trout	Check tickets with the fishery
Bowhill	Trout	Check access and tickets in advance
Watch Water	Trout	Boat and bank
Coldingham Loch	Trout	Fly only
Hellmoor	Trout	Bank only

Comparing a trip here with lochs and lakes further afield? Our guide to UK fishing regions covers the alternatives. Whichever water you pick, check with the fishery before you travel, because access, stocking and ticket arrangements change.

Which Loch Suits Which Fish

One southern Scotland loch can hold pike, perch and brown trout at the same time. Pick your water by the fish you want, not by how famous the loch is.

Target	Best bet	Why	Method in brief
Pike	Loch Ken, St Mary’s Loch, Woodhall Loch	Large mixed waters with prey fish	Deadbaits or lures, wire trace, 15lb main line minimum
Perch	Loch Ken, St Mary’s Loch, Woodhall Loch	Same big lochs, shoals hold around structure	Small lures or drop-shot
Wild brown trout	Galloway Forest Park hill lochs, Loch Whineyon, St Mary’s Loch	Brown trout waters away from the stocked fisheries	Small wet flies or nymphs, bank or boat
Rainbow trout	Lochenbreck, plus trout stillwaters such as Kailzie and Bowhill	Lochenbreck is stocked monthly	Lures or nymphs
Beginners and families	Trout stillwaters	Easier access and simpler day tickets	Simple fly or venue-approved bait methods

For pike, a wire trace is not optional. Pike teeth cut through mono and braid, and Crossmichael Marina on Loch Ken makes 15lb main line with a wire trace a permit condition. Deadbaits fished on the bottom and lures worked through the margins are the two standard approaches.

Perch on the big lochs tend to sit near weed edges, jetties and drop-offs. A small soft lure on a drop-shot rig, worked slowly, suits them, especially in colder months when they won’t chase far.

Wild trout on the hill lochs respond to small wet flies and nymphs fished on a floating line.

If you want pike, start with Loch Ken. If you want wild trout and quiet, head for the Galloway hills. If you want a likely bend in the rod on your first trip, book a trout stillwater.

Permits, Prices and Boat Hire

A 24-hour, all-species permit on St Mary’s Loch, the best-known water in the Borders, costs £10. Prices for the other main waters, and who sells them, are below.

Venue	Permit	Price	Where to buy
St Mary’s Loch	Day permit, all species, 24 hours	£10 adult, £4 youth (12 to 16), free under 12 with an adult	Lochkeeper, Glen Cafe, Fishers Direct (Penicuik), Gordon Arms Hotel
Loch Ken (Crossmichael Marina)	Daily bank permit	£10 adult, £5 junior	Crossmichael Marina
Loch Ken (Crossmichael Marina)	Boat hire	£90 per 24 hours, £45 part day	Crossmichael Marina
Galloway Forest Park	Loch permits	Check with Forestry and Land Scotland	FLS south office, 0300 067 6900
Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright AA waters	Day ticket	Check with the club	The angling association
Trout stillwaters	Day ticket	Check with the fishery	Each fishery

St Mary’s Loch prices come from St Mary’s Angling Club. Loch Ken prices come from Crossmichael Marina, and any boat launched there must be registered.

Boat hire on St Mary’s Loch

The club has three-man boats. You can bring your own outboard up to 4HP, and lifejackets are supplied and must be worn. The club doesn’t publish a boat price on its site, so ask St Mary’s Angling Club before you book.

Galloway Forest Park permits

Forestry and Land Scotland’s fishing page was offline when this guide was checked, so we haven’t printed a price or season. Call the FLS south office on 0300 067 6900 for current permits, prices and which lochs are included.

Prices were checked in October 2026. They change, so confirm with the seller before you travel.

The Rules: Licences, Sunday Fishing and Close Times

Scotland’s Sunday fishing ban is real, but it doesn’t cover pike, perch or brown trout. It is one of several rules that work differently from England.

Licences

Scotland has no recreational rod licence, according to the Scottish Government. You need a permit or permission from the owner of the fishing rights, which on these lochs means the club, marina or landowner selling tickets. An Environment Agency licence isn’t needed on Scottish water. Our fishing licence rules page explains how the four UK nations differ.

One exception to watch: the Border Esk crosses the border. We couldn’t confirm whether an Environment Agency rod licence is also needed there, so check with the Environment Agency before you fish it.

Sunday fishing

No one may fish for salmon on a Sunday in Scotland, under section 13 of the 2003 Fisheries Act. Fisheries Management Scotland confirms that sea trout count as salmon in law, so the ban covers them too. Brown trout and coarse fish are not covered, so a Sunday on Loch Ken for pike or on St Mary’s for perch is fine, subject to your permit’s own conditions.

Close times

Species	Scotland national rule	Source
Brown trout	Annual close 7 October to 14 March, no weekly close time	gov.scot
Pike, perch and other coarse fish	No statutory weekly or annual close time	gov.scot
Salmon and sea trout	No fishing on Sundays; annual close times vary	2003 Act, gov.scot

Our fishing seasons guide sets these alongside the rules for England and Wales.

Pike and venue rules

Scotland has no national pike rules, so each venue sets its own. Crossmichael Marina on Loch Ken bans live baits and requires an unhooking mat, 15lb main line and a wire trace. For bait rules on the Galloway Forest Park lochs, check with Forestry and Land Scotland.

Salmon and sea trout

The River Tweed salmon season runs from 1 February to 30 November. For salmon and sea trout seasons on the Galloway Dee and Ken system, check with the local district salmon fishery board.

Staying Safe and Looking After the Fish

Loch Ken can rise quickly even on a dry day. Its levels are controlled by hydro operations, and Drax warns that the water can rise rapidly, so take care wading and keep an eye on gear left at the margin.

Boats: lifejackets are supplied and compulsory on St Mary’s Loch boats. Wear one on any boat, on any loch.
Hill lochs: the Galloway Forest Park lochs are remote. Tell someone your route and return time, and don’t rely on a phone signal.
Pike care: carry an unhooking mat, long forceps and a wire trace, and unhook fish quickly. St Mary’s Loch is catch and release only.
Catch records: the Galloway Fisheries Trust asks anglers to send in catch records from Galloway lochs. It uses them to track lochs recovering from acidification, so your returns help measure that recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a fishing licence to fish lochs in southern Scotland?

No. Scotland has no recreational rod licence, so an Environment Agency licence isn't needed. You do need a permit or permission from the owner of the fishing rights, such as St Mary's Angling Club for St Mary's Loch or Crossmichael Marina for Loch Ken. The Border Esk crosses into England, so check with the Environment Agency before fishing it.

Can I fish on a Sunday in Scotland?

Yes, for brown trout and coarse fish such as pike and perch. The Sunday ban covers salmon, and sea trout count as salmon under Scottish law, so neither can be fished for on a Sunday. Individual venues can also set their own fishing days and hours, so read your permit conditions before you go.

Can I fish the southern Scottish lochs in winter?

Yes, for pike and perch, which have no statutory close time in Scotland, and St Mary's Loch is fished year-round. Brown trout are closed nationally from 7 October to 14 March, so winter here is predator season. Venues can set their own seasons, so check with the fishery before you travel.