243
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Loch of Stavaness

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

Route Directions
Duration: 00:14 Distance: 1.15 km Ascent: 9.01m Difficulty: 15 / 100
Low alkalinity Shallow Moderate shoreline complexity Low elevation Small
Image © Copyright Lis Burke and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. More information about this image at Geograph.

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 10 ounces. At high tides the sea can enter the loch at the north end and there could be some sea trout at the end of the season.

  • Mainland, Shetland
  • Lake
  • Brown trout and Sea 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 Stavaness

Dury Voe
Mainland, Shetland
1

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 Sandwick
Whalsay, Shetland
2

This is the nearest to Symbister and hold fish which average 12 ounces with some up to 2 pounds. Wading is difficult and the loch weeds up badly from ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Burga Water
Mainland, Shetland
3

A small, shallow water lying close to the road to Levaneap which has good quality trout of 10 ounces with some better fish of more than a pound. ...

  • lake
  • Brown 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
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
5

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
Loch of Huxter
Whalsay, Shetland
6

A large loch with easy access where the brown trout average 12 ounces but the loch can produce much larger fish. Wading is awkward except in the south ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Livister
Whalsay, Shetland
7

A short easy walk to the north of Huxter, this smaller loch can also produce good quality fish of more than 3 pounds. Wading is not necessary as fish ...

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

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
Loch of Benston
Mainland, Shetland
9

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 ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Freester
Mainland, Shetland
10

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
Laxo Water
Mainland, Shetland
11

The loch lies to the north of Laxo and is reached by following the right hand branch of the burn northwards for about half a mile and this will bring ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Nuckro Water
Whalsay, Shetland
12

A small, dour loch which can produce some very good fish. Easy access and wading is not recommended. The western bay weeds up quickly from early summe ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout