Our Stocking Policy
All our hard fighting fish are stocked using local suppliers Cloan Hatcheries (Westmill) and Invicta Trout.
We aim to stock Ledcrieff 2 – 3 times per month from March to November to ensure we maintain the correct density of fish averaging the 3lb – 4lb mark. 80% of our anglers fish on a catch and release basis and due to this we need to regulate what we stock. If the retain/release ratio is low, we will stock less fish with a higher average weight.
We like variety at Ledcrieff. Our stocking policy of Rainbow, Blue, Brook, Tigers & Brown over a range of sizes combined with the large head of overwintered and wild fish in the loch reflects this and in our opinion provide the visiting angler with a more interesting days fishing due to not knowing what will be hook next.
All Brown, Brook & Tiger Trout must be returned.
We also encourage the release of 4lb+ fish as we have on occasion found large dead fish in the bin after weigh-in. We trust anglers will adopt a common-sense approach when it comes to killing fish.
About the trout in Ledcrieff
Rainbow Trout
Average Size 3lb / Max Size 15lb
The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a trout and species of salmonid native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. Rainbow trout are predators with a varied diet and will eat nearly anything they can capture. They are not as piscivorous or aggressive as brown trout or chars. Rainbow trout, including juvenile steelhead in freshwater, routinely feed on larval, pupal and adult forms of aquatic insects (typically caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and aquatic diptera).
Blue Trout
Average 2lb / Max 7lb
The blue trout, which can range from sky blue to dark blue in color, is a rare, but naturally occurring genetic mutation in hatchery-produced rainbow trout, and even more rarely in brown trout. The blue trout is a hard fighting fish and without question, a favorite with anglers due to their silvery looks and hard fighting capability.
Brown Trout (Stocked)
Average 1.5lb / Max 8lb
Like its wild cousins, the stocked brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a European species of salmonid fish that has been widely introduced into suitable environments globally. Stocked fish often look fatter in the body than wild fish. This isn’t extra muscle but the body cavity and muscles filled with excess fat. This is particularly pronounced around the abdomen, the fish often looking “plumper”. An overwintered fish will look much more slender.
Brown Trout (Wild)
Average 10oz / Max 3lb
The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a European species of salmonid fish that has been widely introduced into suitable environments globally. The brown trout is a medium-sized fish, growing to 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a length of about 100 cm (39 in) in some localities, although in many smaller rivers, a mature weight of 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) or less is common.
Tiger Trout
Average 3lb / Max 6lb
The tiger trout (Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis) is a sterile, intergeneric hybrid of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) and the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The name derives from the pronounced vermiculations, which evoke the stripes of a tiger. The fish is an anomaly in the wild, with the brook trout having 84 chromosomes and the brown trout 80
Brook Trout
Average 2lb / Max 3lb
The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus Salvelinus of the salmon family Salmonidae. It is native to Eastern North America in the United States and Canada, but has been introduced elsewhere in North America, as well as to Iceland, Europe, and Asia. In parts of its range, it is also known as the eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook charr, squaretail, or mud trout, among others.
It’s a brilliant wee lake to fish and the setting of the lake is spectacular, with plenty of fish caught over the 3 days that we fished the lake, with Browns, and blues, & rainbows two of the Blue’s that we’re caught were over 5lb, all the fish that were caught all put up a great fight, anyone thinking of fishing this lake it’s a must you won’t be disappointed thanks again.
