Fishing trips and touring throughout Scotland

Sea Lamprey, River Tay, Types of fish,
Sea Lamprey, nearly 60cm long building a nest on the River Tay near Grandtully

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Firstly, there are many types of fish in the River Tay. This article, identifies the diverse species and where in the river to find theMoreover, this article splits the river Tay into three sections. Firstly Upper river – upstream of the Tummel junction. Secondly, Middle river, downstream of Tummel junction to Caputh bridge. Thirdly, Lower River Tay, from Caputh bridge to the Estuary.

Table of Contents

river tay, vouchers, salmon, Stewart Collingswood, fishing, fly fishing, Atlantic Salmon, scotland, holidays, vacations, alba game fishing
The River Tummel just before it joins the Tay. Therefore doubling the width of the Tay downstream from here.

Types of fish in the Upper River

To begin with, the upper River Tay is almost half the size of the middle river. In fact upstream of the junction with the River Tummel, the Tay is easier to wade and fish. Furthermore, you can cover the whole river when fly fishing it.

Generally the upper Tay is free flowing and well oxygenated. However when it reaches Logierait and the Upper Kinnaird beat, there are some long slow, canal like pools. These will hold Pike.

Lastly, one of the greatest finds I’ve had in my 45 years of fishing the rivers in Scotland. Stumbling upon these Sea Lamprey. In fact, if you’ve ever read the amazing book by Henry Williamson, Salar the Salmon, you’ll understand, how fierce these parasitic fish are. Yet, they are remarkable and it was a rare sighting for sure.

A list of the fish found in the River Tay

To begin with, you’ll find these fish in the Upper River Tay:

  • Atlantic Salmon
  • Grayling
  • Brown Trout
  • Sea Trout
  • Pike
  • Minnows
  • Stickleback
  • River Lamprey
  • Sea Lamprey (see video below)
  • Eels
River Tay, Wild Brown Trout, Types of fish, River Tay, fishing, Trout, Dry Fly Sage X,
This River Tay Wild Brown Trout took a Dry Olive
River Tay, Types of fish, Atlantic Salmon Salmon Fishing, Dunkeld, Fishing Guide, Catch and Release
A beautiful Autumn River Tay salmon, about to be released.
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Beautiful River Tay Grayling
winter fishing, Grayling, Types of sit, River Tweed, Fishing Guide, Euronymphing
Upper River Tay Grayling
sea troyut, river tay, fly fishing, scotland, fishing guide, youngsters fishing, learn to fly fish, beginners
Wee lads first ever sea trout from the River Tay
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A first Salmon in Scotland for our guest

Fish species found in the Middle River Tay

Downstream of the junction with the River Tummel, the River Tay almost doubles in size. Furthermore, this creates large deeper pools, which hold a variety of species of fish. Likewise, these pools are omnipresent at all water levels, offering a consistent habitat for fish.

In addition, you will find all the species found in the Upper river. However you can expect to find more Pike, and small populations of perch. Furthermore, you can sometimes find Brook Lamprey, and these are subject to a conservation order. ALastly, there are also Stone Loach, and eels.

Sea Lamprey, River Tay, Types of fish,
Sea Lamprey, nearly 60cm long building a nest on the River Tay near Grandtully
Types of fish, Perch, Coats fish, predator
A small Perch, is still an ultimate predator
River Tay Roach, Roach, Types of fish, fish species, coarse fish, Perth Harbour
A River Tay roach from 1968 when they were prolific. Roach can still be caught today

Types of fish in the Lower River Tay

From Caputh bridge downstream, you will encounter all of the fish previously mentioned in the article. However the lower reaches by Perth and the Harbour has shoals of Roach. Meanwhile, how the Roach got into the Tay is a mystery. In fact they were not discovered until 1946 when a shoal was spotted at Perth Harbour.

They were aggressively netted by netsmen of the Tay Salmon Fisheries, who waged war on the Roach shoals above the city. Whilst the roach were diminished, they still remain. In fact, Roach of 2.5lb were regularly reported by netsmen, so it gives an idea how well they can thrive in the Tay estuary.