181
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Sand Water

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

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

Sand Water lies immediately west of the A970 Lerwick/Hillside road and is bounded on the north by the B9075 to Weisdale, low-lying and close to the sea. The loch covers roughly 37 hectares, extending about 0.8 km north–south and 0.4 km across. It is shallow throughout, with a mean depth of around 4 m, and has high alkalinity. The margin is varied with several small bays and low points; exposed to the wind, the water can turn dark and coloured in strong blows.

The loch holds brown trout averaging about 8 oz. Wading is straightforward, and fish can be taken throughout the water, though from midsummer, weed growth becomes a factor. There is a chance of a sea trout from July onwards that enter from the Loch of Strom. For the brownies, the east shore is favoured, particularly the bays separated by the headland.

Access is easy from both the A970 and the B9075, with the east bank reached directly from the roadside.

  • Mainland, Shetland, Scotland
  • 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 Sand Water

Loch of Girlsta
Mainland, Shetland
1

Loch of Girlsta lies just inland on the east side of Mainland, set to the east of the A970 between Lerwick and Hillside. Named after Geirhild, a Norse ...

  • lake
  • Arctic charr and Brown trout
Loch of Freester
Mainland, Shetland
2

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
3

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
Lamba Water
Mainland, Shetland
4

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
Catfirth Voe
Mainland, Shetland
5

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
Maa Water
Mainland, Shetland
6

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
Weisdale Voe
Mainland, Shetland
7

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
Truggles Water
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
Loch of Lunklet
Mainland, Shetland
9

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
Loch of Benston
Mainland, Shetland
10

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 Skellister
Mainland, Shetland
11

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

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Petta Water
Mainland, Shetland
12

Petta Water lies in low ground not far from the coast, with the A970 running along its eastern shore. It is a small, shallow loch of roughly 11 hectar ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Black Loch
Mainland, Shetland
13

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
Marrowfield Water
Mainland, Shetland
14

Marrofield Water lies on Mainland Shetland, not far from the sea, set among low, open moor. It is a very small, shallow loch of roughly 6 hectares, av ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Whitelaw Loch
Mainland, Shetland
15

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 Strom
Mainland, Shetland
16

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
Loch of Vatster
Mainland, Shetland
17

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
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
18

Gossa Water lies inland of the Ayre of Atler, set among low coastal moor. It is a shallow loch of roughly 22 hectares, with low alkalinity and a simpl ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Longa Water
Mainland, Shetland
19

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
Smerla Water
Mainland, Shetland
20

Smerla Water lies in open moorland south of the Loch of Gonfirth on Mainland Shetland. It is a small, shallow loch of roughly 16 hectares, low in the ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Houster
Mainland, Shetland
21

Loch of Houster lies near Aith, a short distance from the sea and close to the B9071. It is a very small, shallow water of roughly 7 hectares, lying l ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout