Loch Ryan (Stranraer)
FreeA sheltered sea loch on the Rhins of Galloway that has serious ray pedigree, the Scottish shore-caught record tope, a huge 54lb fish, came from here. Summer is the main ray season, but there's a proper mixed bag on offer all year: mackerel, pollock, wrasse and dogfish alongside flounder, plaice and school bass, and even the odd silver eel turning up over the softer ground.
Access: Free shore access, no rod licence needed for sea fishing
Parking: Shore access around Cairnryan and the loch's eastern shore, several pull-in spots along the road
Last updated: 9 September 2026
Species you can expect
| Species | Best season |
|---|---|
| Ray | Summer |
| Tope | Summer |
| Mackerel | Summer |
| Pollock | Summer |
| Flounder | Autumn, Winter |
| Bass | Summer |
Summer is when the loch's ray fishing really switches on, worth timing a trip specifically for that window if a big ray or a shot at tope is the target. The sheltered water also makes this a more forgiving venue than the exposed marks further round the Rhins when the weather turns.
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