Aberdeenshire offers 150 mapped fishing waters on PiscaMaps, including 119 rivers, 31 stillwaters. Species found across Aberdeenshire's waters include Brown trout, Sea trout, brown trout, sea trout, Atlantic salmon, Salmon parr, Minnow, Grayling.
There is no rod licence requirement in Scotland — instead, access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 grant anglers the right to fish most rivers and still waters, providing they act responsibly. Most fisheries are managed through riparian owners, angling clubs or estate beats.
Unlike England and Wales, there is no rod licence requirement in Scotland — however, most waters require permission from the landowner or angling club.
Click a river for species information, close season dates, access notes and a location map.
51 species recorded across Aberdeenshire's rivers, lakes:
| Brown trout | 84 waters |
| Sea trout | 78 waters |
| brown trout | 31 waters |
| sea trout | 30 waters |
| Atlantic salmon | 24 waters |
| Salmon parr | 16 waters |
| Minnow | 11 waters |
| Grayling | 8 waters |
| salmon | 8 waters |
| grayling | 7 waters |
| Arctic char | 5 waters |
| Dace | 5 waters |
Carp are a popular target across Aberdeenshire's waters — always use a landing net and unhooking mat and return fish promptly.
Barbel fishing is well regarded in Aberdeenshire's rivers, particularly through summer and autumn when water temperatures are higher.
Brown trout are present in Aberdeenshire's rivers — many are catch-and-release only and may be subject to game fishing close seasons (typically 1 October to 14 March).
Salmon are present in some of Aberdeenshire's rivers. A migratory salmonid licence is required in addition to the standard rod licence.
View all rivers, stillwaters and canals across Aberdeenshire on the interactive map. Filter by species, water type and access.