212
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Loch of Benston

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

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

Owned by the SAA, this is one of Shetland’s premier lochs and many large trout have been taken from this water over the years. They average more than a pound and fish of over 6 pounds have been caught.
Wading is safe in most areas and the loch is well suited to boat fishing.

There is a parking area at the north east corner of the loch where the Association hire boat is kept. The loch becomes weedy as the season progresses. There is a size limit of 12 inches and all fish under this size should be returned safely to the water.

Loch of Benston is strictly fly fishing only.

  • 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 Benston

Loch of Freester
Mainland, Shetland
1

These two small and shallow lochs both hold trout of 8 to 12 ounces with some better fish of a pound or more. Both lochs become weedy from midsummer a ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Houlland
Mainland, Shetland
2

Loch of Houlland and Freester are shallow lochs both hold trout of 8 to 12 ounces with some better fish of a pound or more. Both lochs become weedy fr ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Catfirth Voe
Mainland, Shetland
3

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
Loch of Skellister
Mainland, Shetland
4

A deep, dark water with trout of 8 ounces average but there much larger fish lurking in the depths. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Girlsta
Mainland, Shetland
5

Named after Geirhild, a Norse princess who drowned in the loch about the year 870. It is the deepest and one of the largest of Shetland lochs and t ...

  • lake
  • Arctic charr and Brown trout
Sand Water
Mainland, Shetland
6

Used to get good runs of sea trout but is now fished mainly for its brownies. This is a shallow loch and the water can become dark and coloured in hi ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Black Loch
Mainland, Shetland
7

Both Black Loch and Loch of Vatster were popular in the past for their run of sea trout and in an attempt to improve runs the Association has stocked ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Loch of Vatster
Mainland, Shetland
8

Both Black Loch and Loch of Vatster were popular in the past for their run of sea trout and in an attempt to improve runs the Association has stocked ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Dury Voe
Mainland, Shetland
9

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
Loch of Stavaness
Mainland, Shetland
10

Park at the end of the road at Neap and a half mile walk over the hill to the north takes you to this largish loch where the brown trout average about ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Petta Water
Mainland, Shetland
11

A fairly shallow loch with some weed patches later in the season. Good quality trout which average 10 ounces with the occasional fish to 2 pounds. Wad ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Longa Water
Mainland, Shetland
12

A deep, dour water little fished by local anglers but there are some good fish here. Spinning would probably be more effective than fly fishing. ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
13

A large loch which requires a bit of effort to reach. The easiest approach is to follow the burn up the hill from the Ayre of Atler until the burn for ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Weisdale 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
Loch of Strom
Mainland, Shetland
15

A large brackish loch with the main target being sea trout. Efforts should be concentrated on the north end of the loch where Burn of Strom enters. B ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout