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 698675 or 07836 645510)
• No rod caught fish to be sold
• Recommended that after 31st July all hen fish whether coloured or not are returned
• Only knotless landing nets recommended - no gaffs or tailers

Catch and Release

• All fish caught before 31st May to be returned

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

Salmon

Maximum of 1 fish per week throughout the River

Maximum of 6 fish per season throughout the River

Sea Trout and Finnock

Maximum of 2 fish per week throughout the River

Maximum of 12 fish per season throughout the River

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

• 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