Housa Water
Mainland, Shetland
A 15 minute walk south from the B9071 brings you to this dour, dark loch. A rocky shore makes wading unwise and the trou ...
234
Loch of Westerwick
Water managed by Shetland Anglers Association
Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout
Low 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.
This loch has good stocks of mainly small fish some of which will lie fairly close to the bank so fish the shallow water before wading.
Rules
Fish limits & sizes
Minimum sizes
- Brown trout 10 inches (254 mm); sea trout 12 inches (305 mm).
- Undersized fish must be returned.
Protected fish
All wild salmon and grilse, and all Arctic char, must be returned alive.
Permitted methods
Methods
- Fly fishing and spinning are allowed on most association lochs.
- Worm fishing is discouraged for adults (due to the risk of deep-hooking) but accepted for juniors.
Byelaws
One rod per angler
Only one rod may be used at a time per angler.
No Sunday fishing
Sunday fishing for sea trout and salmon is prohibited across all waters, regardless of land ownership or permit.
All salmon must be released
Under the Salmon Conservation Regulations (in force since 1 April 2016), Shetland is a Grade 3 area — it is a criminal offence to kill any salmon caught here. All salmon must be released by law, regardless of condition. The exception is fish clearly of farmed origin.
Protected wildlife
Nesting birds
It is a criminal offence to disturb nesting wild birds, including Schedule 1 species. Many nest beside lochs. Avoid any loch holding Red-throated Divers. Several lochs are SSSIs with legally binding conditions of use.
Club rules
Report salmon caught
All salmon caught and released must be reported to the Shetland Anglers Association via the contact page.
Season
Brown trout
15 Mar – 6 Oct
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sand Water
Shetland Islands, Scotland
Sand Water lies close to the Shetland coast, barely a third of a kilometre from the sea, in low, open ground typical of ...
Loch of Arg
Mainland, Shetland
A small, shallow loch which is little fished by local anglers. It holds mostly small fish but in recent years a few bett ...
Loch of Sotersta
Mainland, Shetland
Sand Water is the best of the three with hard fighting trout which average nearly a pound with fish of more than two pou ...
Loch of Brough
Mainland, Shetland
Sand Water is the best of the three with hard fighting trout which average nearly a pound with fish of more than two pou ...
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
This large water is a short, easy walk from the B9071 and is a favourite with a number of local anglers. There are some ...
Sand Water
Mainland, Shetland
A typical hill loch with rather dark peaty water which holds trout of mostly 8 to 10 ounces. This is a fairly shallow wa ...
Loch of Grunnavoe
Mainland, Shetland
Lying close to the village of Walls this largish loch holds fish of 8 to 10 ounces with the odd larger fish occasionally ...
Loch of Gruting
Mainland, Shetland
This small, shallow loch becomes very weedy as the season progresses and the brown trout are mostly small. It saw a good ...
Bridge of Walls
Shetland, Scotland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...