🇬🇧 Fishing in Loch Lomond

Scotland's largest lake by surface area — pike, salmon and sea trout

Loch Lomond is one of the UK's most famous lochs, known for both its scenery and its fishing. It holds large pike and perch, plus salmon and sea trout that run up from the sea via the River Leven. Fishing happens from both boat and shore around the loch's many bays and 30-plus islands.

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Weather at Loch Lomond

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Best fishing times today

Day length: 14h 47m
Dawn04:17
Sunrise05:00
Sunset19:46
Dusk20:28

Bite windows today

  • Dawn03:47 – 06:00Excellent
  • Morning06:00 – 12:23Good
  • Midday12:23 – 16:46Calm
  • Afternoon16:46 – 18:46Good
  • Dusk18:46 – 20:58Excellent
  • Night20:58 – 03:47Good
Moon: 51% · waxing↑ 15:24
Area
71 km²
Region
Scotland

Geography & facts

Loch Lomond sits just north of Glasgow, on the border between the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. At roughly 71 km² and around 39 km long, it's the UK's largest lake by surface area (Loch Ness holds more water by volume).

How to fish

Pike fishing is popular year-round, with trolling and casting for big pike in the deeper areas. Salmon and sea trout fish best in summer as fish run up through the River Leven. Perch fishing with jigs works well along the shoreline.

Photography and fishing go hand in hand

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Fish species

PikePerchAtlantic salmonSea troutWhitefish

Gear & tips for pike

Rod
Spinning rod 2.4–2.7 m, casting weight 20–60 g (BFS for smaller lures, XH for trophy pike 40–120 g)
Westin W3 Powerlure
Abu Garcia Veritas
Shimano Beastmaster
St. Croix Mojo Bass
13 Fishing Omen Black
Savage Gear MPP2
Reel
Spinning reel 3000–5000 or a baitcaster (200-size)
Shimano Stradic 4000
Daiwa BG 4000
Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast (baitcast)
Shimano Curado DC
Mainline
Braid 0.20–0.35 mm (30–50 lb)
Leader
Wire leader 30–40 lb or fluorocarbon 0.70–1.0 mm (40–80 lb), 40–80 cm
Hook
Trebles #2 to 4/0, single hooks 3/0–6/0 for jerkbaits
Weight
Jig head 15–60 g
Lures / bait
  • Large soft-plastic shads 12–25 cm (Savage Gear 4Play, Westin Shad Teez, Strike Pro Pig Shad, Headbanger Shad)
  • Jerkbaits (Westin Swim, Savage Gear 3D Roach Jerkster, Strike Pro Buster Jerk)
  • Crankbaits 12–20 cm (Rapala Super Shad Rap, Salmo Slider)
  • Spinnerbaits 20–40 g
  • Spoons 18–40 g (Abu Atom, Falkfish Thor)
  • Large jerk/swim baits (Rapala X-Rap Magnum, Westin Swim 15 cm)
  • Bladed jigs / chatterbaits 20–40 g
Find spinning gear at Sportfish
Season
March–May (pre- and post-spawn), Sept–November (autumn feeding before winter). Many Swedish waters close in March/April — check local regulations.
Time of day
Mid-morning through lunch and late afternoon; overcast days fish all day.
Tip

Spring: shallow bays 0.5–2 m, slow retrieve. Summer: work the thermocline at 3–6 m with faster lures. Autumn: go bigger, chase baitfish schools. A fish-finder helps enormously. Catch & release is recommended for pike over 80 cm.

Full guide

The right gear makes the difference

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Licence & rules

Scotland generally has no national freshwater fishing licence, but permission from the local rights holder or angling club is needed for most waters around Loch Lomond. Salmon and sea trout fishing usually requires a separate permit.

Full international rules overview →
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