Publication - Consultation paper

Salmon fishing: proposed river gradings for 2026 season

Published: 6 August 2025
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries

Seeking your views on the proposed river gradings for the 2026 salmon fishing season. Submit your views by 7 September 2025.

Closed
This consultation closed 7 September 2025.

View this consultation on consult.gov.scot, including responses once published.

Consultation analysis

Salmon fishing - proposed river gradings for the 2026 season: consultation analysis

Supporting documents

Gradings: Fincastle to Glenelg

Prior to 2025 season, we referred to Grades 1, 2 and 3 to explain the river gradings assessment. However, to enable greater understanding and clarity amongst our stakeholders and general public interests, we have now moved to describe these as:

good conservation status (G) which was formerly known as Grade/Category 1 rivers
moderate conservation status (M) which was formerly known as Grade/Category 2 rivers
poor conservation status (P) which was formerly known as Grade/Category 3 rivers, and therefore subject to mandatory catch and release

The River Teith SAC excludes: 1) the Allan Water which drains to NS 7866 9603 and 2) all inland waters which drain to NS 7695 9614. It is assessed as being in moderate conservation status due to the moderate conservation status in the wider River Forth.

There is no individual river data held for 8 districts. These remain in poor conservation status for 2026.

District	River Name	Outflow point	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 - Proposed	Change
Fincastle	Loch Steisavat system	NG 0145 8697	P	P	P	P	P	Moderate	Improved
Fincastle	River Laxdale (Harris)	NG 0921 9722	G	G	G	G	G	Good	No change
Fincastle	North Harris SAC - Abhainn Mhiabhaig	NB 0994 0602	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fincastle	North Harris SAC - Amhuinnsuidhe	NB 0498 0768	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fincastle	North Harris SAC - Leosavay River	NB 0408 0809	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Findhorn	River Findhorn	NJ 0244 6184	G	G	G	G	G	Good	No change
Fleet (Kirkcudbright)	Water of Fleet	NX 5876 5476	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fleet (Sutherland)	No individual river data held		No data	No data	No data	No data	No data	No data	No change
Forss	Forss Water	ND 0286 6994	G	G	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Almond	NT 1888 7705	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Avon	NS 9559 8111	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Carron (Grangemouth)	NS 9310 8280	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Devon	NS 8492 9359	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Forth	NS 7982 9439	M	M	M	M	M	Moderate	No change
Forth	River Leven (Fife)	NO 3803 0041	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Forth	River Teith SAC	NS 7982 9439	M	M	M	M	M	Moderate	No change
Forth	River Tyne	NT 6246 7926	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fyne	Cuilarstich Burn	NR 8598 8796	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fyne	Kinglas Water	NN 1803 1086	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Fyne	River Aray	NN 0982 0905	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Girvan	Water of Girvan	NX 1827 9820	P	M	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Glenelg	Gleann Beag River	NG 8044 1812	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change
Glenelg	Glenmore River	NG 8119 1987	P	P	P	P	P	Poor	No change

Thanks for your feedback

Information

Gradings: Fincastle to Glenelg