Fishing Near Edinburgh
Your complete guide to 35+ fishing spots across Lothian & Borders: lakes, rivers, canals and more.
Interactive Map
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Top Venues
Top Fishing Spots Near Edinburgh
The best-rated fishing venues within reach of Edinburgh.
- 1
River Tweed
Premium salmon and sea trout, autumn runs
- 2
Union Canal
Urban canal fishing: pike, perch, roach
- 3
Glencorse Reservoir
Rainbow and brown trout
- 4
Clubbiedean Reservoir
Edinburgh trout fishery
- 5
Harlaw Reservoir
Pentland Hills, trout
- 6
North Berwick coast
Sea fishing: mackerel, bass
- 7
Linlithgow Loch
Pike, perch, trout
- 8
River Almond
Wild brown trout, sea trout
- 9
Threipmuir Reservoir
Trout, Balerno
- 10
Portobello Beach
Shore fishing: flatfish, bass
Species Guide
Species You Can Catch Near Edinburgh
Learn about the fish you’ll find in and around Edinburgh.
Pike
October–March · Deadbaits (smelt
Trout
March–September · Flies (nymphs
Sea Bass
April–November (peak June–September) · Ragworm
Sea Trout
June–September (peak July–August) · Flies (surface lures
Mackerel
May–October (peak July–August) · Mackerel feathers (sabiki rigs)
Salmon
February–November (varies by river) · Flies (Ally’s Shrimp
Getting Started
Fishing Licence & Tips for Edinburgh
Licence Information
Scotland has no government rod licence. You only need permission from the landowner or angling club.
Read the full fishing licence guideQuick Tips
- No rod licence needed, just permission from the fishery.
- The River Tweed is one of the UK's premier salmon rivers, about 50 minutes south.
- The Union Canal runs through Edinburgh and holds pike, perch, and roach.
- Sea fishing from North Berwick and Dunbar is excellent for mackerel and bass.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing Near Edinburgh
There are 35+ fishing spots near Edinburgh, including the Union Canal, Glencorse Reservoir, and the River Tweed.
No. Scotland has no government rod licence. You just need permission from the fishery owner.
Trout, salmon, pike, sea bass, and mackerel are all available near Edinburgh.
Yes. The Firth of Forth offers excellent sea fishing from North Berwick, Dunbar, and Portobello for mackerel, bass, and flatfish.
The River Tweed is about 50 minutes south and offers world-class salmon fishing, particularly in autumn.
Yes. The Union Canal is perfect for beginners, and several stocked trout fisheries near Edinburgh welcome newcomers.
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