Water managed by Shetland Anglers Association
Loch of Girlsta lies just inland on the east side of Mainland, set to the east of the A970 between Lerwick and Hillside. Named after Geirhild, a Norse princess who drowned in the loch about the year 870, the water sits low and close to the sea. It is a large loch of roughly 97 hectares, peat-stained and of low alkalinity. The mean depth is around 10 metres, with deeper water in places, and the shore runs in a varied sweep, giving longer reaches along the east side.
Girlsta holds good stocks of brown trout of excellent quality, averaging 10 oz; much larger fish are taken most seasons, and the loch produced the Shetland record trout, a fish of over 10 lb. Arctic charr are present, and there is a chance of sea trout from July onwards. Boat fishing brings the best results, with steady drifts down the east shore about ten metres out from the bank; from the shore, the north‑east side is the place to work, and along the east shore, a long underwater promontory can, with care, be waded. Access is straightforward from the A970, which runs along the west side.
Waters within 5 miles of Loch of Girlsta
Mainland, Shetland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...
Mainland, Shetland
These two small and shallow lochs both hold trout of 8 to 12 ounces with some better fish of a pound or more. Both lochs ...
Mainland, Shetland
Sand Water lies immediately west of the A970 Lerwick/Hillside road and is bounded on the north by the B9075 to Weisdale, ...
Mainland, Shetland
Loch of Houlland and Freester are shallow lochs both hold trout of 8 to 12 ounces with some better fish of a pound or mo ...
Mainland, Shetland
Both Black Loch and Loch of Vatster were popular in the past for their run of sea trout and in an attempt to improve run ...
Mainland, Shetland
Owned by the SAA, this is one of Shetland’s premier lochs and many large trout have been taken from this water over the ...
Mainland, Shetland
Both Black Loch and Loch of Vatster were popular in the past for their run of sea trout and in an attempt to improve run ...
Mainland, Shetland
The Shetland Angling Association has recommended this location as one of the possible spots to catch sea trout, which ca ...
Mainland, Shetland
A deep, dark water with trout of 8 ounces average but there much larger fish lurking in the depths. ...
Mainland, Shetland
Loch of Strom is a long, narrow tidal loch on the west side of Shetland, extending for about 4 km and reaching up to 0.4 ...
Mainland, Shetland
A deep, dour water little fished by local anglers but there are some good fish here. Spinning would probably be more eff ...
Mainland, Shetland
This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...
Mainland, Shetland
Strand Loch lies on low ground close to the sea on Mainland Shetland, set just inland from the coast. It is a very small ...
Mainland, Shetland
This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...
Mainland, Shetland
This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...
Mainland, Shetland
Petta Water lies in low ground not far from the coast, with the A970 running along its eastern shore. It is a small, sha ...
Mainland, Shetland
This group of lochs lie up in the hills between Aith and Weisdale and would be a great day’s fishing for the angler who ...
Mainland, Shetland
The easiest way to get here is to take the track which leaves the B9071 at the Aith cemetery. Park at the pumphouse at t ...
