Venues

Five Fish Venues for Brown & Rainbow Trout and Roach & Perch

Five fishing venues are available on day/weekly permits to non-members for brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, roach and rudd. All of these waters may be visited on the same day if desired. A two fish limit per water is the rule with only one brown trout to be retained if so desired. All coarse fish to be returned.

Parking is available but please do not block access to fields and other agricultural infrastructure.

Daily and weekly permits may be purchased from The Sports Shop, 86 George St. Stranraer (01776702705). Quality tackle and bait can be obtained here.

EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET ON ALL WATERS

Anglers must use barbless or de-barbed hooks. The use of a landing net is essential as is the careful handling of fish to be returned.

 

 

 

Dindinnie Reservoir – DG9 0LE

This is a compact 30 acre reservoir within a five minute drive from Stranraer which is stocked with both rainbow and brown trout. Fly fishing only 15th March – 31st October. The wearing of a life jacket for everyone is recommended and is mandatory for anglers under the age of 18. Parking can be accessed on the hill beyond the quarry and at the hard stand at the Wee Dam.

Knockquhassen Reservoir – DG9 8HX

This is a sprawling reservoir made up of deep channels and some shallower areas. Great care should be exercised and a life jacket is recommended for everyone and mandatory for those under 18. Fly fishing and spinning are allowed. No bait fishing. The reservoir is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout and is a fifteen minute drive from Stranraer. Parking can be accessed through the gate and on up the track to the dam.

Penwhirn Reservoir – DG8 0AY

A large hill reservoir which is a twenty minute drive from Stranraer over a well surfaced, scenic single track road. Again, great care should be exercised due to deep drop offs which are not always visible. The wearing of a life jacket is recommended for everyone and is mandatory for those under 18 and they must not wade or wear waders. Fly fishing and spinning are allowed and there is a good head of small, hard fighting wild brown trout to test the angler’s skills. No bait fishing. Parking can be accessed above the dam wall.

Soulseat Loch – DG9 8NY

This is a large 80 acre loch which is within a ten minute drive from Stranraer. It has gained the reputation as being a water which produces large brown trout with fish in excess of 6lbs. being caught (and returned) on a regular basis. It is also regularly stocked with good quality rainbow trout. Anglers may also come into contact with perch and roach. All coarse fish should be returned. Parking is available at both ends of the loch – Mahaar Bay and opposite Deer Park farm. Fly fishing, bait (including power bait) and spinning are allowed. No ground baiting. There are two areas for anglers who have mobility issues close to the car parking.
The wearing of a life jacket is recommended for everyone and is mandatory for those under 18.

Magillie- DG9 8NY

This is a small 10 acre loch within a ten minute drive from Stranraer. Perch, roach and rudd and the odd large brown trout. Fly, bait and spinning are allowed as is ground baiting. This loch is in the process of being developed as a coarse fishery and when it fishes well, catches of up to 100 fish are not uncommon. Car parking is opposite Deer park farm.
The wearing of a life jacket is recommended for everyone and is mandatory for those under 18.

White Loch- DG9 8SJ (Members Only)

This loch is not available on the day ticket and is for members only. Fly, bait and spinning are allowed. It used to be predominantly a wild brown trout and sea trout water but over the past decade or so, it has become a pike loch producing fish in the 20+lbs range on a regular basis. There are still trout and a few years ago, a 16lb specimen was landed. There are also large numbers of roach and perch. The Loch is inside Castle Kennedy Gardens and is overlooked by Lochinch Castle. Parking can be accessed at Kirkland car park or responsibly on Balker road. Parking is also available to boat users at Crow Island.
The wearing of a life jacket is recommended for everyone and is mandatory for those under 18.

Black Lochs – DG9 8SJ (Members Only)

There are two lochs – one called THE BIG BLACK and the other, THE WEE BLACK. They are connected by way of a narrow canal. Similar to the White Loch, these were predominantly trout lochs but in the past ten years or so, pike are the dominant species. Parking is available at the Estate Offices at the Sheuchan Farm off the New Luce road and at the car park at Balker Lodge.
The wearing of a life jacket is recommended for everyone and is mandatory for those under 18.