194
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Loch of Aithness

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

Directions
High alkalinity Shallow Low shoreline complexity Low elevation Small
Image © Copyright Robert Sandison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. More information about this image at Geograph.

This is a deep loch with mainly small fish. Some weed in the north west corner late in the season.

  • Mainland, Shetland, Scotland
  • Lake
  • Brown trout

Permission & Tickets

Fishing permits can be purchased at either the Lerwick Tourist Office or the tackle shop, Rod and Line, which is in Harbour Street in Lerwick. The SAA organises a number of fishing competitions during the season running separate boat and bank leagues and the visiting angler will be made most welcome at these. Details will be supplied with your permit.

You can also buy a permit online from the Association's website.

Boats for hire – The Association has several boats for hire, and at present these are located at the following lochs – Loch of Benston, Loch of Asta, Loch of Northouse, Loch of Clousta, Loch of Tingwall, Sulma Water and Punds Water. These can change, but details of boat locations and hire can be got from the tackle shop.

Clubhouse – The SAA owns an unlicensed clubhouse, situated in Burns Lane in Lerwick, to which the visiting angler is most welcome. Hours of opening are from 8.30pm and 11.00pm on most Tuesdays and Fridays.

Waters nearby

Waters within 5 miles of Loch of Aithness

Loch of Clousta
Mainland, Shetland
1

A large loch with many fishy bays and islands. There is easy access to both ends of the loch and the SAA boat is kept in the parking place at the sout ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Loch of Vaara
Mainland, Shetland
2

A large, deep loch where the trout average two or three to the pound with an occasional fish over the pound. The shore is mainly rocky and wading is d ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Clings Water
Mainland, Shetland
3

A large loch which was stocked with Loch Leven trout many years ago. Good quality brown trout which average 12oz with some of more than 2lbs. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of North-house
Mainland, Shetland
4

A loch of two halves, the southern part being the largest and deepest and both contain good quality fish averaging 12 ounces with fish of more than th ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Forse Water
Mainland, Shetland
5

This loch is a further 15 minutes walk north of Sand Water and holds a good stock of 4 to 12oz fish. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Kirkhouse Water
Mainland, Shetland
6

Kirkhouse water and Loch of Collaste have good quality fish which average 12 ounces but fish of more than two pounds have been caught in both lochs. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Whitelaw Loch
Mainland, Shetland
7

The easiest way to get here is to take the track which leaves the B9071 at the Aith cemetery. Park at the pumphouse at the end of the track and the lo ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Lunklet
Mainland, Shetland
8

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Djuba Water
Mainland, Shetland
9

Lunga, Djuba and Houlma Water all have very clear water and all produce good quality brown trout. Lunga Water lies alongside the road and there is f ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Truggles Water
Mainland, Shetland
10

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Mill Loch
Mainland, Shetland
11

Mill Loch and Quassawall Loch lie close to the West Burrafirth road at Newton. The Mill Loch holds small fish while Quassawall has a better class of f ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Sand Water
Mainland, Shetland
12

A ten minute walk to the north west from the west end of Hulma Water will bring you to this deeper water with typical hill loch brownies of 6 to 8 oun ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Marrowfield Water
Mainland, Shetland
13

A further 15 minute walk south will bring you to from Smerla Water. Fish average two or three to the pound. There is a peaty bottom and there are few ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Bixter Voe
Mainland, Shetland
14

The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which can be found in various places a ...

  • coastal
  • Sea trout
Lamba Water
Mainland, Shetland
15

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Turdale Water
Mainland, Shetland
16

A short track which leaves the main road just west of Parkhall and will take you to the east side of the loch (shut all gates). This small, shallo ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Smerla Water
Mainland, Shetland
17

Park beside the Loch of Gonfirth on the B971 a couple of miles west of the village of Voe and a ten minute walk up the valley to the south will bring ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Hollorin
Mainland, Shetland
18

Park in the small quarry beside the road above Newton and a short walk to the north west will bring you to the loch. The water is crystal clear and ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Maa Water
Mainland, Shetland
19

This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who likes walking and solitude. Pa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Quassawall Loch
Mainland, Shetland
20

Mill Loch and Quassawall Loch lie close to the West Burrafirth road at Newton. The Mill Loch holds small fish while Quassawall has a better class of f ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Longa Water
Mainland, Shetland
21

Lunga, Djuba and Houlma Water all have very clear water and all produce good quality brown trout. Lunga Water lies alongside the road and there is f ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Hulma Water
Mainland, Shetland
22

This long narrow loch lies close to the A971 just a mile beyond Turdale Water. Known locally as Hulmalees, it has trout of a good average size with s ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Grass Water
Mainland, Shetland
23

Had a run of sea trout in the past and the loch has good stocks of mainly small brownies. The small loch of Culeryin becomes very weedy and the brow ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Smalla Waters
Mainland, Shetland
24

A group of four lochs; all of which probably hold fish. The largest has deep water close to shore and holds good quality fish of more than two pounds ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
The Vadills
Mainland, Shetland
25

The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which can be found in various places a ...

  • coastal
  • Sea trout
Heillia Water
Mainland, Shetland
26

The north section of the loch holds a good stock of small fish while the larger, deeper part holds fish of a 10 ounce average with some over a pound. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Sulma Water
Mainland, Shetland
27

The association has a boat here which is kept at the north end where the burn runs out to the sea. This is a long narrow loch and there are a number ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout