Lake of Menteith Fisheries

Pike Fishing

PIKE FISHING

Pike are an important part of the ecology.  The Lake is an almost perfect environment for pike, and there is a good head of these wild fish to give superb sport on fly tackle, bait* or lure*.

On average you can expect to catch around 6 pike per boat*, per day with pike weighing up to 30lbs. The Lake holds the Ladies UK weight record of 39lbs 8oz (which is also the Lake fish weight record).

Fly fishing for pike is one of the fastest growing sectors in angling and is the least stressful to the pike, as only one barbless hook is in contact with the fish. To avoid overplaying the fish, a 9/10wt rod should be used in conjunction with a pike proof leader.

Fly fishing for pike is available throughout our main season.
Tuition is readily available as is tackle hire at a cost of £10, (£80 deposit per rod kit, £100 per 2 rod kits).

All boats must fill in a catch & return (use trout recording sheet) but state weight and number of pike caught.

*Lure and Dead Baiting

Winter
Only six days of lure and dead bait Pike fishing are available through PAAS or the PAC in the winter months. No freshwater dead baits are allowed. Rules for these days, PAAS (Pike Anglers Alliance Scotland) and the PAC (Pike Angling Club of Great Britain and Ireland), are shown below. See Events.

Summer
In addition, PAAS provides some lure-only evenings during the summer.

LOMF Fly Pike Fishing Rules

  • Above a noon water temperature of 18c at 6ft, in the interests of pike welfare, we ask anglers not to fish for pike. As the lake warms up, and the water column stratifies the LAke becomes deficient at depth and in the surface layers. This results in poor survival after catching.
  • Pike Fly Fishing is allowed as per trout fly fishing and all hooks must be debarbed.
  • All fish must be unhooked outside the boat (pay attention to balancing the boat).
  • Fish must be held until recovered before release.
  • Weighing to be done in capture net using portable spring scale.
  • Long nosed pliers and wire cutters to be carried at all times for unhooking, hook cutting.
  • All hooks  – max size 6.0
  • 9/10wt rod required.
  • Accurate catch returns required from all boats (including blank returns)
  • Only drogues, nets, mats supplied by fishery allowed on water.

PAC/PAAS Special Access Deadbait and Lure Regulations Updated 21/02/23

Bait Fishing

  • Sea deadbaits only, no lamprey, smelt or pollan and no freshwater species.
  • Minimum bait size 4”
  • Two rods maximum
  • Minimum mainline breaking strain 50lb braid or 25lb monofilament
  • Maximum size hook 4
  • De barbed hooks
  • Recommended minimum trace length 24”
  • Minimum lead size 1oz/28grams
  • Minimum float size 4”/35g, no dead baiting without using floats.
  • Minimum breaking strain of trace 30lb plus
  • Uptraces are recommended
  • Please avoid anchoring close to jetty’s for access (100m)
  • Avoid anchoring  a minimum of 50 yards from another boat
  • If float ledgering please make sure stops are no more than 2 foot over depth for adequate depth indication (recheck each time you move swims)

Lure Fishing

  • Minimum of 50lb braid or 25lb monofilament
  • Wire traces must always be used, fluorocarbon as a trace material is not allowed
  • Minimum lure size 6”
  • Maximum treble size, size 2/0.
  • Maximum of two hooks per lure (reduce damage)

Equipment/Code of conduct

  • Life jackets to be worn at all times
  • No anchoring 100m from jetties or boat yards and in depths over 30 feet
  • Strike as fast as possible if your float moves or goes under the fish has the bait in its mouth (avoids deep hooking)
  • Please allow minimum of 50 yards between boats
  • No deliberate fishing for other species.
  • All fish including trout to be returned
  • All anglers to carry adequate tools to unhook fish (forceps, longnose pliers, hook cutters)
  • Nets used must be a minimum of 36” knotless triangular or 30” knotless circular (use fishery nets provided)
  • Make sure to use fishery mat and sling provided
  • Try and unhook smaller fish at the side of the boat and always wet your hands, they do not need to come in to the boat.
  • Refrain from retaining fish any longer than is necessary
  • If weighing fish please wet the mat and weigh sling accordingly
  • When photographing fish please wet both hands and be as quick as possible

Anyone caught breaching rules may be banned from the club. These rules and guidelines are in place to help protect the pike caught which is the primary objective of both the PAC and PAAS.