Scotland's 2025 wild salmon catch was lowest since records began

Figures released by the Scottish Government today show that the total wild salmon catch in Scotland by all methods in 2025 was the lowest since records began in 1952.  Total sea trout catch was the second lowest.

The reported rod catch of 28,020 Atlantic salmon is also the lowest since records began. It is 68% of the previous five-year average and a decrease of 41% when compared to the 47,618 salmon caught in 2024.

Net fisheries – net and coble, haaf netters, other types of fixed engine – caught a total of 912 salmon, of which 418 were released. The 175 fish caught and retained in the net and coble fishery for 2025 was the lowest since 1952.

Pattern of decline

Rod catches have decreased from a high of 111,405 in 2010 and the 2025 reports are consistent with a general pattern of decline in numbers of wild salmon returning to Scotland, according to the Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics publication.

Reported rod days effort for salmon for 2025 (192,859) decreased by 5% when compared to 2024 (203,199).

Release rates of salmon captured by rod were the highest on record last year. Of spring (before May 1) multi sea-winter salmon captured by rod, 99% were released, and for the full season 98% of all rod-caught salmon were released.

Reported spring catch of 1,629 in 2025 is 70% of the previous five-year average and an decrease of 38% when compared to the 2,625 spring salmon caught in 2024.

'Farmed' fish

The number of fish reported as being of farmed origin was 480 and represented 1.6% of the total catch by all methods. Farmed origin salmon were reported caught from the Clyde coast, North West and West coast regions.

Some anglers blame sea lice from fish farms and introgression between escaped farmed fish and wild fish for the population decline but the Scottish Goverment says the problem is caused by many factors, with climate change having a big impact.

Sea trout

The total reported rod catch of 13,025 sea trout is 91% of the previous five-year average and a decrease of 8% compared to the 14,104 trout caught in 2024. Last year’s catch is the lowest since records began.

Sea trout catches have fluctuated around a general trend of decline since the 1960s, the Scottish Government publication states.

In 2025, release rates of sea trout were 92%. This is the second highest percentage since records began.

The net and coble fishery reported the third lowest retained catch, and the fixed engine fishery the fifth lowest, since records began.

The salmon and sea trout statistics are based on returns from proprietors, occupiers and agents of fisheries throughout Scotland. The 2025 fishing season data is derived from 1,993 forms returned from 2,160 forms issued (92% return rate).