CODE OF PRACTICE
The River Doon District Salmon Fishery Board has produced this Code to conserve our fish stocks for now and the future.
- Mandatory by Law:
- For the River Doon, the Salmon & Sea Trout Season is from 11 February to 31 October inclusive. The Brown Trout Season is from 15 March to 6 October inclusive.
- It is a criminal offence to retain a salmon or grilse before 1 April, so they must be returned
- It is a criminal offence to kill a coloured/gravid salmon.
- All salmon and grilse caught must be recorded in your catch returns.
- The Board strongly urges Anglers to adopt a 100% catch-and-release culture throughout the season, to support conservation measures in the wild stock of salmon in our river. Therefore, we are asking Anglers not to kill ANY salmon or grilse.
- Gyrodactylus Salaris Declaration Forms must be signed by Anglers before fishing.
- The Board recommends:
- On any spinning lure, only one treble hook should be used.
- The use of barbless or crushed barbed hooks, so Anglers can return fish without unnecessary damage.
- Against worm fishing for salmon. However, where worm fishing takes place, please use circle hooks, so Anglers can return fish without unnecessary damage.
- Against the use of prawn, shrimp, or any organic baits at any time.
- All sea trout caught must be recorded in your catch returns.
- Grayling – the Board has been made aware that Grayling may have been illegally introduced into the catchment of the river. This is a criminal offence. If you capture a Grayling, it should be humanely killed and the Board informed on the above contact details.
- Safe landing and handling requirements
Before you set off, make sure you have the following tackle for safe catch and release:
Suitable tackle – Use fishing tackle that is capable of landing salmon quickly to avoid exhausting them before release.
Barbless hooks – for quick release and minimised risk of bleeding when removing the hooks, always use a barbless hook. A size 8 (or preferably smaller) is recommended.
A knotless net – use a wide, soft knotless net to minimise damage by allowing the fish to lie flat as well as reducing damage to its scales.
Tip: to assist with a swift release make sure you have a tool, such as long-nosed forceps, at hand for prompt hook removal. Also, if you plan on recording or taking a photograph of your catch, make sure that you keep all the equipment close to hand so that this can be done quickly.
Landing the fish
It’s vital not to lift the fish out of the water; research has shown that salmon which are exposed to air, even for a short period, have a significantly reduced survival rate. Certainly do not lift the salmon by the tail or gill cover, as this can cause internal damage as well as damage to tendons.
Recording your catch
If you want to take a photograph of your catch, keep the fish in the water or at least slightly above it and support the fish gently under its belly. When handling the salmon, always do so with wet hands to avoid damaging (burning) the fish’s outer boundary layer of mucus – which protects it against disease and parasites. If you must weigh the fish, then weigh with the fish enclosed in the net or use a weigh net.
A tape measure or wading stick can be marked to record approximate length – this should be done while the fish is kept in the water. This can also be used against a chart to measure approximate weight.
Recovery and unhooking the fish
Gently remove the hook by hand or with forceps when the fish is quiet. If it is deeply embedded, then cut the leader as close as possible to the hook. Generally, fish can be released and survive with the hook still attached and this will cause less damage to the fish than if the embedded hook is removed.
Recovery may take some time, but it is vital for fish to be allowed to recover before they are released into clean, steady water.
Download a helpful Best Practice Guidance from Fisheries Management Scotland:
FMS Leaflet – Best-Practice-Guidance-Catch-and-Release-January-2025
- Farmed Salmon / Pink (Pacific) Salmon
If you capture a farmed salmon or pink (pacific) salmon, it should be humanely killed and the Board informed on the above contact details. Scale samples (in the case of pink salmon, the whole salmon) should be taken and sent to Ayrshire Rivers Trust.
The capture should also be reported on the Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) Website Reporting tool at:
FMS Guidance on identifying farmed salmon can be found at:
FMS Guidance for Anglers re Identifying Farmed Salmon
Ayrshire Rivers Trust’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwKwPv1yGBM&t=271s
FMS Guidance on identifying Pink (Pacific) Salmon can be found at:
- Giant Hogwood /Japanese Knotweed / Himalayan Balsam
See Ayrshire Rivers Trust leaflet at:
ART Invasive Weeds Information Leaflet 30.06.21
- Catch Returns
Ayrshire Rivers Trust has helped the Board in developing a Catch Return App for use by anglers in the River Doon catchment. This allows you to record your Rod Effort and Catches and upload details of the date, time and location to a central location, which will aid the provision of official Annual Catch Returns to both Scottish Government Marine Inspectorate and the River Doon DSFB.
Download the Web Version of the App at:
Or use the camera on your phone to scan the QR Code:
Link to video produced by ART on how to download and operate the App:
https://youtube.com/shorts/uJuE5uzvZCg?si=zE-41uc7g7GEILtB
- Safety
Be aware of safety on and around the River. Anglers approach the River at their own risk.
The Board recognises that observance of the Code is voluntary but expects that responsible Anglers will observe it as far as possible.
Please spread the word on this Code of Practice. Your Board are investing in the future so that we all can continue to enjoy the sport on the River.
Approved by River Doon District Salmon Fishery Board: 17 April 2025