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Loch Cleap
© John Allan · CC

Loch Cleap

Water managed by Portree Angling Association

Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout
Moderate alkalinity
High alkalinity indicates water fertility and can signal the presence of larger trout. Fish in alkaline waters have a wider variety of invertebrates to feed on.
Shallow
The depth of a lake has significant impacts on its ecology. Reduced heat and light in deep lakes inhibit algal growth.
Low shoreline complexity
A lake with a high shoreline complexity will have numerous bays, points and peninsulas.
Low elevation
Lakes at a higher altitude can take longer to warm up during the season and may not fish well until summer.
Very small
Larger lakes with good spawning often contain lots of smaller trout. Smaller lakes with limited spawning can produce larger trout.

Loch Cleap lies in the low ground of Highland Scotland, close to the coast of Skye and within reach of the Trotternish ridge. It is a very small loch of roughly 9 hectares, with a simple, rounded outline and a moderate depth for its size. The catchment is dominated by peat, though the water itself is not strongly coloured, and moderate alkalinity gives the loch some productivity.

The loch sits among a group of hill waters in the shadow of Trotternish, all known to yield good brown trout when conditions are right. Fishing is fly only.

Access is from the Maligar road end, with a long walk over rough ground through Glen Connon and the Bealach Uige. The neighbouring lochs Dubhar-sgoth and Corcasgil can be reached by the same approach and are noted for early season fishing.

Distance
2.58 km

Rules

Fish limits & sizes

Salmon

All salmon must be returned

Club rules

Sunday fishing

Sunday fishing is reserved for members only.

Permits

A fishing permit is required before fishing any waters.

Safety warning

Life jackets

Boat hire includes 2 life jackets, which must be worn.

Season

Brown trout 15 Mar – 30 Sep
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Explore nearby

14 waters within 5 miles of Loch Cleap

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Loch Dubhar-sgoth

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Loch Dubhar-sgoth is a very small loch of just over 3 hectares, lying in low ground on the Isle of Skye some five kilome ...

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Loch Leum na Luirginn

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Loch Leum na Luirginn is a very small loch lying close to the coast of Highland Scotland, less than three kilometres fro ...

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Loch Corcasgil is a very small loch lying among the hill ground of northern Skye, roughly five kilometres from the coast ...

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Kilmartin River

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Loch Hasco lies in the low ground of the Trotternish peninsula, close to the coast and within easy reach of the A855. It ...

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Loch Langaig 10

Loch Langaig

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Loch Langaig lies very close to the coast in the low ground of northern Skye, less than a kilometre from the shore. It i ...

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Loch Droighinn 11

Loch Droighinn

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Loch Droighinn is a very small, very shallow loch of barely half a hectare, lying in the low ground close to the coast o ...

lake Brown trout
Loch Sneosdal 12

Loch Sneosdal

Isle of Skye

Loch Sneosdal lies in the low ground on the western side of the Trotternish Ridge, roughly three kilometres from the coa ...

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Loch Cuithir 13

Loch Cuithir

Isle of Skye

Loch Cuithir lies on the Tromternish peninsula of Skye, reached by a rough track that climbs inland from the coast road ...

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River Lealt 14

River Lealt

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