Salmon fishing: proposed river gradings for 2026 season
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.
Overview and proposed gradings
We are seeking your views on the proposed river gradings for the 2026 salmon fishing season.
Closing date
You can submit your views until 7 September 2025.
The 2026 season
An assessment of the conservation status of salmon in inland waters in Scotland is carried out each year and each river or assessment group is assigned a grading depending on the outcome of that assessment. The annual assessment is explained in our video.
As a result of the last assessment, we are proposing that the grading of a number of rivers or groups of rivers will change from last year for the upcoming 2026 fishing season.
Summary
|
Conservation status |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Good |
36 |
37 |
29 |
32 |
31 |
32 |
|
Moderate |
35 |
35 |
31 |
29 |
24 |
26 |
|
Poor |
102 |
101 |
113 |
112 |
118 |
115 |
Improvement
This indicates an improvement in conservation status, this applies to eight stocks in 2026.
Decline
This indicates a decline in conservation status, this applies to four stocks in 2026.
Proposed gradings
River district:
- Add to Cree
- Creed to Ewe
- Fincastle to Glenelg
- Gour to Iorsa
- Irvine to Loch Long
- Loch Roag to Ruel
- Sandra to Ythan
Previous consultations
We have previously published consultations in the years 2023, 2024 & 2025.
Submitting your views
By law, we are required to publish notice of the proposed river gradings and invite representations or objections to them.
Closing date
You should submit your views by 7 September 2025.
How to submit your views
Online via our consultation platform.
Email: salmonandrecreationalfisheries@gov.scot
In writing to:
Wild Salmon and Recreational Fisheries
Marine Directorate
Area 1B North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ