Fishing in Dumfries
Fishing tickets will be on sale from Monday 13 February 2023
CALL 030 33 33 3000 to apply
We manage fishing on the Nith and Cairn in Dumfries Burgh on behalf of Dumfries Common Good. Restrictions apply.
Boundaries
Dumfries Burgh waters extend for 8 miles but most fishing activity takes place on:
- River Cairn - 400 yards above Newbridge to the River Nith
- River Nith - 300 yards above Martinton Bridge to the estuary
The Nith has about 20 named pools and the Cairn about 15. The mix of pools is suitable for fly, spinning and worming.
Season
- Sea trout - 25 February to 30 November
- Brown trout - 15 March to 6 October
- Salmon - 1 April to 30 November (except Sundays)
- Grayling - 1 December to 24 February
Regulations and restrictions
In addition to the Dumfries Common Good Regulations, we have also adopted the Nith Conservation Policy.
-
Dumfries Common Good Fishing Regulations 2023 [DOCX - 864KB]
- NDSFB Conservation Policy 2023 (tbc)
-
Common Good Grayling Rules 2023 [DOCX - 863KB]
A condition of the fishing ticket is for the return of all catch data. This helps support the collection of data for conservation. NIL catch returned must also be reported. Failure to return fishing data (including NIL returns) may lead to a fine or declining your application in future years.
Permits
CALL OUR CONTACT CENTRE ON 030 33 33 3000 TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET
Our Contact Centre will arrange a call back from our Fishing Team to help complete your Application. We are only able to process applications over the telephone and tickets will be issued via email. Alternative arrangements can be discussed with our staff if this causes concern, please advise the team when they call you back. There will be no tickets issued from any Council facility.
If you require to submit evidence of your eligibility for Easy Access etc, we may issue you with a temporary ticket which will expire within 7 days, which should give you sufficient time to email a copy of your evidence. Once verified, you will be issued with your full ticket by email. You will be required to pay for your ticket at the point of application and if you fail to provide the supporting evidence required, your ticket will expire after 7 days and no refund can be given. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR EVIDENCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GIVE US AS MUCH TIME TO VERIFY YOUR EVIDENCE AND PROCESS YOUR FULL TICKET.
Prices
SEASON 2023 | Adult | Junior | Easy Access |
Season ticket - Nithsdale resident | £166.50 | 8.00 | 83.00 |
Season ticket - Visitor | £251.50 | 8.00 | - |
Daily ticket - Nithsdale resident | £37.50 | - | Free (1 per week) |
Daily ticket - Visitor special (until 31 Aug) | £45.50 | - | - |
Daily ticket - Visitor (from 1 Sept) | £54.50 | - | - |
Junior tickets are available to those under the age of 18.
Easy Access tickets are available under the following criteria, for Nithsdale residents only:
- Aged over 65
- A full time student
- Registered disabled
- Armed Forces personnel
- Military veteran
- Those in receipt of
- Job Seeker Allowance
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Carers Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Social Security Scotland benefits
- Working Tax Credits
- Bereavement Allowance
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
Call 030 33 33 3000 or email fishings@dumgal.gov.uk for further information.
