2011 Conservation Policy

With a view to conserving and protecting the stocks of salmon and sea trout in the River Don and its tributaries, the Don District Salmon Fishery Board has formulated the following Angling Code which is an integral part of its overall Conservation Policy.

General Regulations

• All coloured fish to be returned carefully to the water
• All foul hooked fish to be returned
• All floy tagged fish to be returned and details of information on the tag sent to the board (01224 790005 or 07836 645510)
• No rod caught fish to be sold as required by law
• All fish over 6.35 kg (14lbs) or 83 cm (33 inches) in length, whether coloured or not to be returned
• Only knotless landing nets recommended - no gaffs or tailers

Catch and Release

THINK BEFORE YOU KILL

• All fish caught up to31st May to be returned

• After 31st May, the following limits will apply to each individual angler:

Salmon/Grilse

Maximum of 1 fish per week throughout the River
Maximum of 4 fish per season throughout the River

N.B. Immediately after killing a salmon or grilse, it must be fitted with the correct security tag.

Sea Trout and Finnock

All sea trout and finnock are returned

Fish returned to the water should be handled carefully with wetted hands and held facing upstream until sufficiently recovered to swim free

Baits and Lures

• No multiple hooks (e.g. Rapala) - maximum one treble
• No shrimp/prawn - prohibited by law
• Barbless hooks are recommended
• No form of live or dead bait (including worm) to be used
• No spinning upstream of the Bridge of Alford
• No upstream spinning anywhere
• No spinning in designated fly only water
• No ledgering or bubble/bob floats to be used