Sunart is blessed with some great angling spots, especially in and around Strontian and Polloch.
If you would like to fish the Strontian or Polloch rivers please purchase a permit from the Strontian Post Office, Strontian Stores or the Strontian Hotel. For fishing on Loch Doilet booking is essential. You can purchase boat permits and electric outboards from one of the following contacts.
Mr P Madden , 01967 402265 , 7 Ardnastaing, Strontian
Mr M Vanden , 01967 402114 , The Old School, Anaheilt, Strontian
Sunart community angling is operated under a joint management agreement between the Sunart Community Company and Strontian Angling Association – all proceeds are reinvested in the fishery or community projects. Thank you for your support and donations are always welcome.
Polloch River and Strontian River permit
£20 per rod per day
£50 per rod per week
£20 per rod per day
£50 per rod per week
£10/day £25/week for children
Please note that permits entitle the holder to fish on both rivers. (No fishing is permitted on Sundays)
Please abide by the following rules
- No Sunday Fishing for migratory fish & no bait fishing – fly fishing or spinning only please. Brown Trout under 20cm must be returned
- No Sunday Fishing for migratory fish & no bait fishing – fly fishing or spinning only please. Brown Trout under 20cm must be returned
- Catch & Release required for salmon & sea trout
- Barbless hooks preferred to minimise damage to released fish.
- No fishing between Midnight and 6 a.m.
- Please take your litter home and no campfires.
- All Permit Holders are required to provide a return of fish caught to the permit vendor or via email enquires@sunartcommunitycompany.org.uk
The Strontian river
The Strontian River is a typical West Coast spate system approximately ten kilometres in length.
This is an interesting small river with a selection of pools which are easily accessed from a network of footpaths adjacent to the riverbank.
In common with many other west coast rivers there has been a dramatic decline in returning migratory fish. A fisheries restoration project is now under way to restore salmon and sea trout back to the densities that the river once held.
The river flows adjacent to the Ariundle National Nature Reserve, which renowned for its ancient oak woods, mosses, liverworts and lichens. At Strontian the river discharges into Loch Sunart, a Special Area of Conservation primarily designated for its Atlantic oak woods and otter populations.
Open season is 1st May to 30th September.
The Polloch river
During high water conditions brown trout can be taken with the possibility of sea trout and salmon later in the summer.
Approximately one and a half kilometres in length, the Polloch River links Loch Doilet to Loch Shiel. This attractive little river contains a good selection of deep pools and is accessed, for a good proportion of its length, from a grassy track that runs along its northern bank.
Open season for brown trout is 15th March to 30th September.
Open season for migratory fish is 1st May to 31st October.
Loch Doilet
This freshwater loch is part of the Loch Shiel catchment and is set in stunning scenery within Glen Hurich forest. It is situated some seven miles from Strontian and accessed by single-track public road, winding up to one thousand feet at the mid-point where views of Sunart, Morven, Shiel and Moidart can be enjoyed. The loch has good brown trout and in mid- to late-summer sea trout and salmon enter the loch via the Shiel River, Loch Shiel and Polloch River.
Fishing here is by boat only. However boat hire includes a Polloch river permit in case of inclement weather.
Open season is the same as Polloch river
Fishing in Sunart
You can download a useful map the Strontain fisheries. This has been produced by fishlochaber.co.uk and shows some of the best fishing spots in and around Strontian and Polloch.
Either click on the image or this link: Download Strontian wild fishing map
Loch Sunart sea fishing
Boats can be launched at Strontian Community Slipway at no cost but with a suggested donation in the charity box. (Note the slip does dry out at low tide!)
Visitor Moorings opposite the jetty are available at a cost of £10 per night – tickets from the Strontian Hotel, Strontian Stores or Post Office. Multi-night discounts are available by contacting the Community Company.
Shore fishing can produce pollack, dogfish, skate and rays all year round and mackerel from May to September.
Shore fishermen are reminded not to obstruct gates or passing places when choosing a spot to park, and of course to take all litter home: thank you.
Other private fisheries in and around Sunart
River Aline, Lochs Arienas & Tearnait near Lochaline, Morvern
Brown Trout, Salmon & Sea Trout – Fly only.
Permits from: Ardtornish Estate Office, Morvern PA80 5UZ
Office Tel: 01967 421288
Email: kenny@ardtornish.co.uk Website:www.ardtornish.co.uk
Ardnamurchan Estate – Wild Brown Trout in the Hill lochs
Estate Office, Mingary House, Kilchoan PH36 4LH
(01972) 510208
info@ardnamurchanestate.co.uk