Kinross Trout Fishery
UPDATED JANUARY 2020 with information received from fishery.
Kinross Trout Fishery is a relatively new fishing venue (though I understand has existed in some form for over 35 years prior to reopening after a 9month closure, in 2018) located at the end of a narrow road directly opposite the entrance to Kinross Services just off the M90 between Edinburgh and Perth.
I believe Kinross Trout Fishery is located in a former quarry though it appears to be a long time in it’s past, as the grounds don’t offer much clue that it was ever anything other than greenery and woodland.
The real clue is in the water as the 4 ponds shelve off very rapidly and are deep.
Finding Kinross:
This map I have prepared is a good guide to its location.
To get here, simply head for Kinross from wherever you are coming from. Head for the Kinross Junction of the Motorway and the large roundabout above by the services.
If you are not coming here via the Motorway, you need to take the westbound exit from the roundabout on to the A977. The motorway services are located just on your right.
Directly opposite is a side road which has a sign for a restaurant called the Grouse and Claret. I assume the fishing connection is probably with Kinross’ better-known fishing venue Loch Leven.
Head down this road, take your time as it is single track in places, and right at the very end over a series of speed bumps you will find the car parking area and the fishery entrance.
Access road:
OK with care- well surfaced so no hazards on that front, but narrow in places so allow for oncoming vehicles getting by.
Public Transport:
None known, but if you can get to Kinross by Public transport, I believe the only method being bus, the fishery would only be a short taxi ride out from the town centre. I have also been informed that if arriving by public transport, Garry the owner of the fishery will collect anglers from the Kinross Bus terminus. ( a unique facility as far as I am aware).
Contact: 07376762057
Species: Rainbow and Blue trout are stocked at Kinross Trout Fishery and there are some VERY large fish in the ponds. All fish over 10lb are to be returned even on a catch and take ticket. If you catch a specimen fish you are to contact the owner and try to return it with his assistance. The lucky angler is then credited with an extra fish to take as I understand it.
Size: The fishery comprises 4 ponds, two for Bait and two for Fly only. As this, theunfamousfly.co.uk is a fly fishing site the two of interest are named below:
Charlie: 3 acres
Baxter: 5 acres
Details:
The fishery consists of four ponds, three of which are now dedicated to fly only and one to bait/spinning.
Casting platforms are spaced around the entire site and wading is not permitted due to the sudden drop off just out from the bank.
There is a lot of vegetation surrounding the ponds so casting at points other than the casting platforms is likely to be near enough impossible. The platforms I saw were carpeted with artificial grass which makes for a grippy surface to stand on and no damage to lines around your feet, unlike chicken wire.
The water looks to be fairly clear and there are fairly dense beds of aquatic weed around the margins. To help with water quality the fishery employs a system of water circulation. The system now has 12 sets of diffusers around 3 of the waters. As opposed to aerators these draw water from the lower levels and circulate the system somewhat like and large fish tank. It also takes cold water from below in summer and warm water from below in winter. This helps prevent algae blooms in summer or sudden turn over of the lakes depleting or having a sudden oxygen crash. In winter it also helps prevent ice forming as easily. The system should run all year for maximum efficiency and turning it off and on causes issues and resetting the diffuser hoses and heads should the non -return valves not set 100%. Recovery isolation IBC tanks are now used for fish too as well as checking the quality of stock delivered.
The fishery has a facebook page that publicises stockings and you can see the size of the fish going in. Some of them are enormous, and I imagine costly, so I can understand why the owner is keen they be returned safely.
Kinross is a Troutmasters water.
Facilities:
As of 2020 there is a new permit office and an overflow carpark. There is also a shop in the new hut including thousands of flies from traditionals and dries to more up to date patterns, and a good range of fly tying materials, tackle and sundries. Also, I think there is some sort of membership scheme active at the fishery which allows members to fish regularly, as I understand it there is a £500 a year annual “fish all you want” membership and some other lower cost one but you would need to contact the fishery .
The fishery can also put anglers in touch with casting instructors for booking lessons.
Personal Opinions:
Kinross looks to be a tidy fishery with a big clientele judging by the numbers there on my visit. The owner Garry seems friendly and was very accommodating to myself and a friend when we visited. Fishing fees are pretty much average for the area and you can see them on the fishery website.
Kinross Trout Fishery has space for disabled angler access. My understanding is that the accessible platforms needs to be pre-booked. Kinross Trout Fishery also allows float tubes but again these need to be pre- booked for access.
I understand there are more staff on site so my experience of having a bit of a wait to leave last time I was there, has been solved.
I also understand there are bins and numbering on all the pegs now.
Value for money:
Very good, nice surroundings, not a bad price for a ticket, and some huge fish to cast to!
Catch and Release Policy:
Excellent. Catch and Release tickets are available on the fly ponds.
Website:
As of 2020 the site is much improved and one of the better laid out ones of all fisheries I have seen.
Overall:
Taking all things into consideration I would rate Kinross a 4. Good prices, some big fish and facilities on a par with most fisheries in Central Scotland.
