The Fish Resources of Argyll

Argyll and the Islands host a range native fish species, some of which migrate between freshwater and marine habitats during their life-cycle. Others remain resident in freshwater rivers and lochs. Other species, non-native to Argyll, have also been introduced.

Atlantic Salmon are widely distributed in Argyll, usually spending two years in rivers as fry and parr before migrating to sea as smolts. Most salmon (grilse) spend one winter at sea before returning although some remain at sea for two or more years before returning to spawn, these are known as multi-sea winter fish. The abundance of salmon in most of our rivers has severely declined in recent years with some populations being close to collapse. Locally, salmon populations are threatened by the degrading of freshwater habitats, potentially lethal burdens of sea lice and interbreeding with escaped farm fish. Other changes in the high seas environment have also impacted on the marine survival of salmon. Indicators suggest that salmon stocks are improving in some areas of Argyll. Click here for more information about salmon stocks

Sea Trout are the migratory form of brown trout that are widely distributed in Argyll. Similarly to salmon, juvenile trout typically spend two years in our rivers prior to smolting. Unlike salmon, sea trout remain in coastal waters and are therefore more susceptible to infestation of sea lice. Click here for more information on sea lice » The abundance of sea trout in most of our rivers has severely declined in recent years. Some populations appear to have improved to a limited degree in the last 2-3 years and there is a case for quiet optimism.

European eels migrate from their place of birth in the Sargasso Sea to our rivers as small elvers and utilise most of our freshwater habitats for growth before returning to the sea to breed. Eels are an important part of the aquatic fauna in Argyll, but their numbers are in decline and EU legislation is likely to be introduced to protect them. Click here for more information about eels »

Sea lamprey utilise some of our rivers for spawning and juvenile rearing, but little about their distribution in Argyll is currently known. A single population in the River Awe was identified by AFT during the National Lamprey Survey. Click here for more information about sea lampreys »

Brown Trout remain in fresh water but they often form part of the same breeding population as sea trout in waters that are accessible to and from the sea. The resident form is present in most rivers and lochs in Argyll, supporting a wide variety of morphs with different lifestyles such as the ferox trout which live longer and grow to a larger size than other trout. Preserving the genetic diversity of trout populations is an increasing focus for AFT.

Arctic Char are known to be present in a handful of lochs in Argyll, but the diversity and status of these populations is little understood. AFT is working with other interest groups to better understand these enigmatic fish.

Powan are present at three sites in Scotland, one of which is in Loch Eck, Argyll, Loch Eck is the only site where powan co-habit alongside arctic char in Scotland and is designated as an SSSI for its fish assemblage and other habitats. Click here for more information about powan »

Brook Lamprey are present in many of Argyll's rivers, but the National Lamprey Survey (2003-4) (pdf document) indicated that the distribution of river lamprey appears to be less widespread.

Introduced species such as pike, perch, stone loach and roach are also now present in Loch Awe as well as feral rainbow trout that have escaped from fish farms. Minnows have become more widely spread through many catchments in Argyll. All introduced species potentially compete for limited resources with wild fish and legislation will be introduced in 2008 to prevent further introductions. Click here for more information about the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill »