Loch Arkaig Prices Increased

2010 sees a big increase in permit charges by Achnacarry Estate.  Bank fishing permits are increased from £5 per day to £15 and weekly permits go up to £60 while boat launching including 2 rods is set at £35.  The river Arkaig permit will be £10 per day and £30 per week and the fishing will close on the river on 31st July.  Furthermore there is no fishing allowed from the south shore of the loch, a bag limit of three fish, all live bait including worms are forbidden as well as artificial power bait.  The prices were set by the estate since there has not been an increase in many years and after consultation with the estate workers and it is reckoned that they are reasonable.  Any queries about these changes should be directed to the estate factor Bidwells, Carn Dearg House, North Road, Fort William tel: 01397 702433.

So that we cannot be accused of supplying incorrect information these are conditions of fishing on Loch Arkaig according to Achnacarry Estate.

 

1.  Fishing will only be permitted between the hours of sunrise and sunset.

2.  A catch and release policy is in operation for fishing of salmon and sea trout.

3.  Fishing will be by rod and line, spinning and fly only.

4.  The following methods of fishing are expressly prohibited.

             A - The use of live or dead minnows.

             B - The use of one or more rods set up on the bank. This is know as set line           

                    fishing and is an illegal method.

                 C - The use of fish bait smaller than 4 inches.

             D - No worm/maggot or any other natural or manufactured bait (power bait)

5.  Trolling is only permitted in deep water and not across recognised fly fishing

      beats.

6.  All records of fish caught must be handed into the point of ticket sale.

7.  Fishing tenants may launch their own boats on to Loch Arkaig only by prior         

     arrangement and payment of the launching fee.

8.  Fishing on the bank of the south shore of Loch Arkaig is strictly prohibited.

9.  An exclusion zone of 100 metres exists around the fish farm sited on Loch Arkaig. 

     Trolling and spinning is not allowed in this zone.

10.  Parking is only allowed at designated sites.  Coach parties are strictly prohibited.

11.  The season for fishing on Loch Arkaig commences on 15 March and finishes on

        6 October each year.

12.  All fishing tenants are responsible for their own safety and no liability can be

        accepted by Achnacarry Estate for any loss of equipment, injury or loss of life. 

        Persons fishing or using a boat on Loch Arkaig do so at their own risk.

13.  No fires may be lit on the banks or on any other land.  Damage to trees or

        shoreline fences will not be tolerated.

14.  Bag limit – maximum of three brown trout per rod per day. 

       Size limit – minimum 10 inches or 150mm.

        All salmon & sea trout must be returned.

15.  Dogs must be kept on leads.

16.  All rubbish to be taken home or disposed on in bins provided.

 

The only reports from Loch Arkaig for the opening day were of only one or two trout as there were few fishers out (maybe something to do with permit prices) but admittedly the weather was very cold which also kept the fish deeper.  Even later in the week reports were of only two or three fish each for those who braved the temperature although a local club competition on the following weekend saw 27 fish caught with the largest weighed at 1lb 10oz.  Loch Lochy, on the other hand, started the season off much better with two local fishers recording 20 trout in total, two others scored with 4 each and later in the week another pair finished with 6 trout each.  These catches show that Loch Lochy is recovering well after the departure of the rainbow farms and trout fishing is significantly better these days. 

According to the map of the loch at Clunes and section five of the above rules it means that trolling is not allowed along both shores but in the middle of the loch only.