Overview
Loch Earn is a family favorite trout fishing loch in Scotland roughly 40 mins travel from the city of Stirling. The loch is popular with both bank and boat anglers. There are 2 distinct shorelines, North and South, with the south being slightly quieter, but admittedly this can be a busy water through the season with peak summer bringing most anglers out. The water has a strong head of natural wild brown trout but is also stocked heavily, which leads to very productive days. Loch Earn is incredibly well-received with anglers due to the accessibility of the water and it makes a great family fishing venue.
Loch Earn at a Glance
- Location: Perth & Kinross / Stirling council areas, southern Highlands
- Nearest village: Lochearnhead (west end of loch), St Fillans (east end)
- Distance from Stirling: 30 miles / 40 to 50 mins by car
- Length of Loch Earn: 6.5 miles
- Maximum depth: 287ft
- Fish species: Wild and stocked brown trout with some Rainbow Trout (occasional migratory species like Salmon/Sea Trout)
- Trout size: 2 to 5lb average with larger 20lb+ caught most seasons
- Loch Earn Fishing Season: 15th March to 6th of October
- Fishing methods: Bank and boat: fly, bait, spinning and trolling
- Camping: Only within managed zones
Bank or Boat Fishing
Bank fishing is the most accessible fishing on Loch Earn and both shores (north and south) have many parking spots near the water that can be used as a base whilst fishing from the bank. Fishing spots are normally immediately at your car or a very short walk. Camping is allowed at Loch Earn as long as you have pre-purchased a camping permit from the national park.
Useful Links:Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - Loch Earn Info
Get a Camping Permit
The green lines are broadly the most common areas for bank fishing.
Best Spots:
- North Shore: Half a mile east along the A85 from Drummond Estate Boat Hire - View on Google Maps
- South Shore: 2 x rocky beach areas near Ardvorlich Estate entrance - View on Google Maps
Boat fishing is also popular for anglers who want to cover more water and explore the loch more freely. Traditional loch-style drift fishing is popular amongst fly fishermen. Wind can be strong on Loch Earn, so a drogue to slow your drift is essential, not a luxury.
Loch Earn Boat Hire
Fishing Methods
Fly Fishing
Can be done from the bank or boat using traditional Scottish wet flies or small rainbow trout lures. Focusing your fly fishing in and around many of the tributary burns is a good place to start. Dry fly sport can be exceptional from May to August: Black Hoppers and Daddies being the favourite dry fly patterns.
Best fly pattern recommendations from Angling Active competitive fly fishing staff:
Brad: “I have always done well with mini cats, snatchers and just the usual wets.”
Stevie: “I’ve had my best days with Mini Lures and a few traditional wets."
Bait Fishing
Mostly done from the bank all over the loch. A good reason to choose Loch Earn over other venues is the ability to bait fish. This style of fishing is very productive and also a good introduction to the sport for families, children, and newcomers to angling. Casting out some maggots or worms is a very relaxed and leisurely way to spend a day.
Swimfeeders with Maggots is your go-to bait method, but worms and PowerBait paste are also very popular with regular Loch Earn anglers.
Angling Active manager quote: “Almost a quarter of maggots sold at Angling Active are used at Loch Earn” — which shows how strong a venue Loch Earn is within travelling distance from Stirling.
Spinning
Using lures such as Mepps Spinners, Tasmanian Devils, and Tobies can be very productive during warmer months and allows you to wander the bank and cover more water. Use a lighter spinning rod (6 to 8ft) with a casting weight up to 20 grams.
Trolling
If you fancy covering the loch and exploring the margins along the bank, trolling from a boat or kayak is worth considering. Lures such as Rapalas in brown trout, silver, gold, or orange can be deadly. This is a personal favorite amongst the more serious anglers of Loch Earn.
All tackle required for fishing at Loch Earn can be bought from ANGLING ACTIVE, which is on the way to Loch Earn for most anglers travelling from central Scotland.
Loch Earn Gear Guide: What to Bring
- Bank/Bait Fishing: Feeder rod, reel loaded with 8lb line, swimfeeders, hooks, maggots, Landing Net and bank sticks.
- Fly Fishing: 9 to 10ft #5 to #7 weight Trout Fly Rod, Trout Fly Reel with floating, intermediate, or midge-tip Trout Fly Line, flies and net.
- Spinning: 6 to 8ft light spinning rod (casting weight up to 20g), spinning reel with 8lb line or 20lb braid, Mepps/Toby-style lures.
- Boat Fishing: Drogue, buoyancy aid, Rapala-style trolling lures, 8 to 9ft trolling rod (spinning rods are fine).
How Loch Earn Changes Through the Season
The following is a practical seasonal overview when considering fishing Loch Earn. Wind, water temperature, water clarity and recent trout stocking or natural fly activity can matter more than the calendar month. However, please consider the following:
| Period | Likely Challenge | Starting Approach |
|---|---|---|
| 15 March – April | In cold water; trout may be deeper or less willing to chase lures or flies. | Fish slowly. Try bait on the bottom - intermediate or sink-tip fly lines and/or tobies or sinking Rapalas counted down before retrieval. |
| May – June | More activity in the loch margins and longer feeding windows throughout the day. | Traditional wet flies, spinners and swim feeder bait tactics can all work. Check shallow water first before moving deeper. |
| July – August | Warmer water, more anglers and more boat traffic. | Fish early or late, protect fish from prolonged handling in the heat and use depth changes or a boat to find cooler water when necessary. |
| September – 6 October | Cooling water and shorter more changeable days. | Carry several methods, watch the forecast closely and allow enough daylight for a safe return to your car. |
Permits & Location
Permits
A Loch Earn fishing permit must be purchased before fishing the loch. Permits can be bought online in advance from the following link:
Buy Loch Earn Fishing Permits Online
Location & Angling Active
Angling Active sits on the A84 to Loch Earn from Stirling, in a riverside setting with its own casting areas and long-standing expert staff — making it a genuine destination in its own right, not just a stop for supplies. Whether you need permits sorted, the right fly pattern for the day's conditions, or advice on where the fish have been sitting this week, it's worth building 15 minutes into your journey on route to Loch Earn.
Accessible from the A84 travelling north from Stirling (Just past Dobbies Garden Centre and over the river), before you get to the Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a permit to fish Loch Earn?
Yes — a permit is required and can be bought online in advance.
What is the fishing season at Loch Earn?
The traditional brown trout season is from 15th March to 6th October.
Can you fish from the bank at Loch Earn?
Yes, bank fishing is the most accessible method, with parking close to the water on both shores.
Can I hire a boat for fishing at Loch Earn?
Yes, boat hire is available during the season from Drummond Estate Boat Hire. 15 boats with petrol motors are available from Ardveich Bay.
Is camping allowed at Loch Earn?
Yes, with a pre-purchased permit from the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Fishing and camping permission/permits are separate.
How far is Loch Earn from Stirling?
Around 40 minutes by car via the A84 through Callander.
Is there Pike in Loch Earn?
Loch Earn is not known to hold Pike. With the amount of spinning and trolling done on the loch there are almost no reports of catching pike. This is highly surprising given the amount of feeding in the loch.
What's the biggest trout caught at Loch Earn?
Safety, Fish Care and Lochside Etiquette
Loch Earn can look calm from the road while conditions are difficult from a boat. The water stays cold, the bank can drop away sharply, and a long west-east loch allows waves to build quickly when the wind changes. Check a reliable forecast immediately before travel and again at the water. If the conditions are beyond your experience, fish from a safe bank or postpone the trip.
Essential Safety Points
- Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid on every boat or kayak trip; do not wait for rough weather.
- Avoid alcohol when responsible for a boat or kayak.
- Keep well clear of swimmers, sailing activity, moored craft, jetties, and anglers with lines in the water.
- Do not enter the River Earn outflow, and pay attention to marked hazards and shallow water.
- Park your car without obstructing passing places, gates, homes, farms, or emergency access.
- Take all litter, line, and hooks home. Keep noise low, particularly near houses and at night.
Releasing Trout Well
- Use tackle strong enough to land the fish without an unnecessarily long fight.
- Use barbless or debarbed hooks where practical and permitted, and have pliers ready.
- Wet your hands and net before touching the fish; keep it in the water whenever possible.
- If a fish is deeply hooked, cutting the line may be less damaging than prolonged handling.
- Take photographs close to the water, support the fish, and return it promptly. Measure rather than repeatedly weighing it.
- Read the fishery operator's Catch and Return Policy.
