183
a stunning loch
Mainland, Shetland

Smerla Water

water managed by Shetland Anglers Association

Route Download GPX Directions
Duration: 00:13 Distance: 0.89 km Ascent: 33.0m Difficulty: 12 / 100
Low alkalinity Shallow Moderate shoreline complexity Low elevation Small
Image © Copyright David Nicolson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. More information about this image at Geograph.

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 ground with low alkalinity and an average depth a little under 4 metres. The outline is gently varied and much of the margin is rocky with deep water close in; towards the south there are some shallower areas suitable for wading.

Trout are mostly 8 oz or less. Access is straightforward: park beside the Loch of Gonfirth on the B971, a couple of miles west of Voe, and walk up the valley to the south. The route runs for just under a kilometre, climbing gently, and reaches the water in about ten minutes.

  • 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 Smerla Water

Marrowfield Water
Mainland, Shetland
1

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
Petta Water
Mainland, Shetland
2

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
Loch of Voe
Mainland, Shetland
3

Loch of Voe lies close to the coast, with the B9071 along its southern side and the A970 to the west. It is a small, low-lying water of roughly 18 hec ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout
Loch of Lunklet
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
Sae Water
Mainland, Shetland
5

Sae Water lies close to the sea, set in low ground a little over a kilometre inland. It is a very small, shallow loch of roughly five hectares, with a ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Lamba 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
Maa Water
Mainland, Shetland
7

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
Gossa Water
Mainland, Shetland
8

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
Loch of Aithness
Mainland, Shetland
9

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

  • 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
Loch of Houster
Mainland, Shetland
11

Loch of Houster is a very small freshwater lake located in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is generally shallow with medium alkalinity and is situa ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout and Sea trout
Whitelaw Loch
Mainland, Shetland
12

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 Vaara
Mainland, Shetland
13

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
Loch of Clousta
Mainland, Shetland
14

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
Sand Water
Mainland, Shetland
15

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
Laxo Water
Mainland, Shetland
16

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
Bays Water
Mainland, Shetland
17

Both are difficult lochs but there are good fish in them. Bays Water is the largest of the two and fish average about 12 ounces with fish of more than ...

  • lake
  • Brown trout