Fishing near Lochgoilhead

Being so close to beautiful Loch Goil, a stay at Drimsynie Estate gives you easy access to superb fishing opportunities. Loch Goil offers FREE fishing all year round, where you can find Mackerel, Cod and Pollock depending on the time of year, while River Goil has both Salmon and Sea Trout runs from mid-March to October (permit required). Keen anglers willing to hike to nearby Lettermay Loch will be rewarded by a truly magnificent setting.

Residents at St Catherine's can easily access all these fishing opportunities also, as well as enjoy a spot of fishing right from the jetty opposite the park.

WHERE TO FISH

Loch Goil (All Year)

FREE fishing all year off the shore or from a boat. June to late October there are usually shoals of Mackerel in the loch. Cod and Pollack are in the loch all year. Popular fishing spots are off the shoreline at the village as well as the rocky shore by the pier at Carrick Castle.

If you prefer to fish by boat (permitted all year on Loch Goil), check out Loch Goil Cruisers.

River Goil (March-October)

The River Goil has both salmon and sea trout runs, permits for the river are available at the village post office. Daily permits £15. Monday to Friday permit £40. No Sunday fishing. Fly or worm, single hook. Maximum of four permits issued per day. Permits allow fishing on the three miles between Hell’s Glen Bridge and the river mouth, both banks, except for a 400 yard stretch above Lochgoilhead Bridge. The season runs 15 March to 31 October – however, there are seldom fish in the river before mid-May. The river Goil is a spate river and hardly worth fishing when low. Post Office Telephone: 01301 703 201.

The River Goil is classified by Scottish Government as Category 3 and therefore any salmon caught must, by law, be returned unharmed to the river. It also a requirement that any salmon or sea trout caught in the sea loch must be returned unharmed.

Lettermay Loch (March-October)

Curra Lochain & Lochain Nan Cnaimh Be warned – these are for hill walkers who fish. Access is via the forestry road at Lettermay, and then either the Cowal Way Path or a fire break, depending on which loch you are heading to. Both paths can be churned up and muddy. It is quite a trudge to reach these lochs - but the reward is complete isolation in a magnificent setting. Guests at Drimsynie have free fishing on both lochs. Fly fishing does well. Bait and spinning allowed. If you are not familiar with the area we recommend you purchase a copy of the Argyll Forest Park Guide which includes a map available for £2 at the main reception.

Loch Fyne – St. Catherines Jetty
This beautifully peaceful little jetty, right at St Catherine's is a great little spot for sea fishing. In summer, shoals of mackerel are quite but, depending on the time of year and weather conditions, you may be lucky enough to come across coley, Pollack, dogfish and even thornback rays.