Scottish Fishing and Hunting Seasons Timeline
We often get asked about the fishing and hunting seasons in Scotland, so we’ve put together a useful timeline with all the key dates.
As you can see, the seasons are not 100% straight forward (especially the fishing seasons), so do feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
We’ve also highlighted a few of the “best” times to visit in terms of the best fishing / hunting or the best combination of sports available, but these are just our personal suggestions.
No matter what time of year, River & Green are experts in providing the very best sport available throughout Scotland.
15th January
River Tay Salmon Season Opens
01st February
Pheasant, Partridge, Duck, Goose, Hind & Doe Hunting Ends
01st February
01st February
Rivers Tweed, Dee & Teith Salmon Seasons Open
11th February
River Spey Salmon Season Opens
11th February
February 20th
Woodcock Season Closes
25th February
River Annan & Nith Salmon Seasons Open
25th February
End of February
Grayling Fishing Ends
15th March
Brown Trout Season Opens (except for north of Scotland)
15th March
March 29th (roughly, no closed season)
Pike Fishing Starts
April - End Of May
Peak salmon fishing (period 1 of 2)
April - End Of May
01st April
Roe Buck Season Opens
01st April
Brown Trout Season Opens In The North Of Scotland
01st April
01 May - End of September
Peak Brown Trout Fishing
15th May
Grayling Fishing Begins
15th May
End of May
Sea Trout Fishing Begins
01st June - Early July
Peak Sea Trout Fishing
01st June - Early July
01st July
Red Deer & Sika Stag Seasons Open
August 01st
Fallow Buck Season Opens
August 01st
August 12th - "The Glorious 12th"
Grouse Season Opens
Mid August
Roe Buck Rut
Mid August
End of August
Sea Trout Fishing Ends
September - 30th November
Peak salmon fishing (period 2 of 2)
September - 30th November
01st September
Partridge, Duck & Goose Seasons Open
30th September
Rivers Spey & Dee Salmon Seasons Close & Trout Season Closes
30th September
01st October
Pheasant Season Opens
01st October - 20th October
Best Time For Combined Fishing & Hunting
Red deer stags, sika stags, fallow buck, roe buck, pheasant, partridge, duck, goose, grouse, salmon & trout all in season!
01st October - 20th October
15th October
River Tay Salmon Season Closes
31st October
River Teith Salmon Season Closes
31st October
05th - 15th October (roughly)
The Red Stag Rut
October 20th
Stag & Buck Seasons End
October 20th
October 21st
Deer Hind / Doe Seasons Open
November - February
Peak Grayling Fishing
November - February
1st Full Moon In November
Woodcock Shooting Begins
15th November
River Annan Salmon Season Closes
15th November
November 15th
Pike Fishing Ends (all boats removed from water)
30th November
River Tweed Salmon Season Closes
30th November
31st November
River Nith Salmon Season Closes
December 12th
Grouse Season Closes
December 12th
You’ll note that some of the seasons mentioned are a little less precise than others, this is because these seasons either don’t have a closed season (e.g. pike and other coarse fishing) or the official staking season runs for longer than stalking actually takes place for, e.g. fallow buck.
The BASC website is a good resource if you are interested in precise and official seasons, beyond what happens in practicality.
If you’d like more information on hunting or fishing in Scotland, please fell free to get in touch using the contact form below or email info@river-green.com
We also have some easy to fill-out forms which will give us all the information we need to design a bespoke hunting and fishing holiday for you; just visit our our “Design My Holiday” page to get started.
Once you’ve sent us your completed form we will design a personalized proposal which we will send to you within 2 working days!