Fishing in Dumfries

Ticket Update

Fishing tickets will be on sale from Monday 22 February 2021. 

Applications for tickets can be made by calling 030 33 33 3000.  Please ensure you read our COVID notices in full which are outlined on this page.

COVID-19 Update

Important note - whilst we may issue a ticket to fish, responsibility for adhering to all relevant Government guidance, social distancing and ensuring it is permissible for you to travel and participate in fishing lies solely with the applicant at no liability to our Council or the Common Good.

You must not fish if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.

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.

•  Download the fishing map

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, all Government guidance around COVID-19 must be strictly adhered to and followed.

We have also adopted the Nith Conservation Policy (previously the Angling Code).

• Download the Dumfries Common Good Fishing Regulations 2021 [PDF - 504.75KB]
• Download the Voluntary Code [PDF - 243.29KB]
• Download the Dumfries Common Good Grayling Regulations [PDF - 152.24KB]

A condition of the fishing ticket is for the return of all catch data. this helps support the collection of data for conservation.

• Download the Catch Return 2021 [DOCX - 94.77KB]
• Download the Grayling Catch Return 2021 [PDF - 152.14KB]

Permits

Please call our contact centre on 030 33 33 3000 to purchase your ticket.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are only able to accept and process applications over the telephone and tickets will be issued via email. Alternative arrangements can be discussed with our officers if this causes concern, please call our council contact centre on 030 33 33 3000 to discuss. There will be no tickets issued from any council facility.

Further to this, if you require to submit evidence of your eligibility for easy access etc, we will issue you with a temporary ticket which will expire within 7 days, which should give you enough 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

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
  • Working Tax Credits
  • Bereavement Allowance
  • Widowed Parent's Allowance

Call 030 33 33 3000 or email fishings@dumgal.gov.uk for further information.