Loch Morar reaches depths of 310m, and is the deepest loch in Britain. It also discharges into the shortest river in the UK which flows out onto the stunning Silver Sands of Morar.
Despite being only four miles from the pretty harbour-town of Mallaig and having a local shop and garage at its west end, the loch has a wonderful sense of unspoilt wild beauty. The trout in Loch Morar are truly wild fish: the loch is one of the only large lochs in Scotland to be unaffected by the influences of fish farming.
Loch Morar offers a great variety of excellent fishing whether bank fishing, fly fishing from a drifting boat using traditional loch style or trolling the deeper water for the large ferox trout and salmon. Fishing round the many islands at the western end of the loch or exploring the wide bays on the southern shore the visiting angler will be spoilt for choice and variety. There are six boats with outboards available for hire on the loch, either for half or full days.
The average size of the trout is about ¾ lb but there are many caught every season up to 3 lb. Ferox trout have been recorded up to 15lb. Salmon and sea trout enter the loch from mid May, mostly the salmon are caught by anglers trolling on the loch though they are occasionally caught on the fly.
The bag limit is 8 brown trout and one salmon per day, all sea trout must be returned. Unless fish are to be kept for the table anglers are encouraged to return all fish caught. No salmon may be killed before 20 June as part of a Lochaber wide conservation measure.
There are many hill lochs around Loch Morar providing smaller but more numerous trout which still offer a good days sport. The loch superintendent can provide you with advice on which to fish and which flies to use: 01687 462388.
Boat hire and guided fishing can also be arranged through the superintendent (further details can be found on the Morar website or by ringing the superintendent).
The wider area
Loch Morar is nestled between stunning mountain scenery and wonderful white sand beaches. You can walk along the coast taking in several of the beaches, and find one without any other people. Alternatively you could hire sea kayaks from Arisaig (2 miles from Morar) and explore the coast that way. Or why not admire the beaches whilst having a round of golf at the picturesque Traigh Golf Course, described by the Scotsman as “probably the most beautifully sited nine-hole course in the World”?
Ferries from Mallaig go to Skye and the small isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna. During late summer you have a good chance of seeing dolphins or whales on the route. Morar and the surrounding area are a great place for spotting wildlife including eagles, deer and deer as well as the more elusive pine martens.
The fishery distilled
How to get here
Rules
Links
Send an email
The fishery distilled
- Loch Morar’s fishing season runs from 15 March-6 October.
- You can fish from the bank, launch your own boat, hire a boat or opt for guided fishing.
- Permits can be bought locally or from Fishpal.
- Most of the shallow bays offer a great chance of catching trout.
- Numerous hill lochs offer the chance to get away from it all and fish in total solitude.
- 100% catch and release on all salmon and sea trout. There is a bag limit of 8 brown trout.
- The wonderful coastline around Morar offers picturesque beaches and with a little luck you can find you own private beach for the day.
- You can catch the Jacobite steam train from Mallaig to Fort William during the summer.
How to get here
From Fort William take the A830 (signed to Mallaig). Having passed through Arisaig drive on for 4 miles. Ignore the left turn for the Silver Sands and take the next right turn (signed Morar).
Follow this road under the railway bridge and take the first right (signed Bracorina). Follow this road along the loch shore for just over 1 mile, past the first jetty and onto the second jetty.
The superintendent’s house is on the left just before the small burn.
Rules
- Bag limit 8 brown trout. Salmon and sea trout must be returned.
- Sunday fishing for brown trout only.
- No rod rests or set lines.
- Only 2 rods per boat trolling.
- No fishing in the river or estuary.
- No fires or camping on the lochside.
Send an email
If you'd like to send an email to this fishery, you can simply fill in the form below.
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