The bye-laws regulating rod and line fishing in the waters controlled by the Loch Awe Improvement Association are as follows;
LOCH AWE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION – FISHERY RULES & CONDITIONS
The named holder of the permit have permission to fish (other than for salmon or sea trout) in Loch Awe and Loch Avich subject to the published exclusion zones and in terms of the Protection Order and the Bye-laws of the Association. This permit, all tackle and fish killed shall be exhibited on demand to a warden, honorary warden, proprietor of fishing rights or a fellow angler exhibiting their valid permit.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- Observe all marked Exclusion Zones. 2. No tree felling, no fires, no litter.
- Avoid excess noise or disturbance to wildlife, nesting birds, livestock or other loch users.
- No camping without landowner’s permission.
- Always keep dogs under strict control and close gates and observe the country code
TROUT FISHING CONDITIONS – TROUT SEASON 15TH MARCH TO 6TH OCTOBER
- Loch Awe – All brown trout under 10 inch (25 cm) and over 14 inch (36 cm) shall be returned alive and unharmed to the water. The daily bag limit is 4 Brown Trout.
- Loch Avich; All brown trout under 9 inch (23 cm) to be returned.
- All Rainbow Trout must be removed from the fishery. All other fish to be returned alive and unharmed to the water. Report deaths of protected fish to a warden or the secretary.
- All legal bait, lures and flies allowed with a line of 4lbs minimum breaking strain and 15lbs for Ferox. No set lines and no ground baiting.
- NO LIVE FISH OR OTHER VERTEBRATES TO BE USED AS BAIT and bait rigs restricted to two baited hooks.
- Fish one rod only except when trolling from a boat. Keep nets are not permitted and landing nets must be knotless.
COARSE FISHING CONDITIONS – COARSE SEASON 15th MARCH – to 6th OCTOBER NO CLOSE SEASON FOR PIKE
- All fish caught by the holder of a coarse fishing permit must be returned immediately to the loch unharmed.
- All pike rigs and tackle must employ a wire trace of 30lbs and main line of 20lbs monofilament, or 50lb braid minimum breaking strain.
- Purpose designed rod rests and run indicators (preferably audible) must be employed when dead bait fishing from bank or static boat. All nets must be knotless and pike gags are not permitted. Forceps, long nose pliers and an unhooking mat must be in the possession of pike anglers and used when unhooking pike.
- No more than 3 rods may be employed at any one time from boat or bank with the butt of the 2 outside rods being spaced no more than 3 metres apart and never left unattended.
- NO LIVE FISH OR OTHER VERTEBRATES TO BE USED AS BAIT.
- Pike only may be fished for out with the trout season and trolling is not permitted between 7th October and 14th of March.
- The use of maggots, worms, grubs, sweetcorn, bread or any other coarse fishing bait likely to catch trout (including lures and specialized pike flies under 5” in length) is NOT permitted out with the trout fishing season.
- A separate day permit is required for all trout fishing. Coarse and Pike fishing permits are NOT valid on Loch Avich.
PERMIT HOLDERS breaking the conditions stated above will have their permits cancelled. Any person seen to be killing or mistreating unseasonal or protected fish (including by lack of correct equipment) will have their permit withdrawn and potentially legal action will be taken.
LITTER; Permit holders are reminded that they are responsible for any litter or rubbish they create. Rubbish must be placed in the bins provided and not left for others to clear-up. Offenders will be identified and barred from the fishery.