Catch Returns
The graphs below show different interpretations of the catch returns for the River Ayr (FRS Salmon and Sea Trout data) Encouragingly salmon rod catches have shown an upward trend in recent years reflecting improved access and more integrated fishery management.
All the other Ayrshire rivers had a peak in the overall salmon catch during the sixties, when salmon smolt survival was at its highest. This was not the case on the River Ayr, where the peak occurred in the seventies. A major contributory factor was probably the installation of a fish pass in the weir at Catrine which improved access into the highly productive upper Ayr and tributaries.
In common with other Ayrshire rivers there has been a dramatic decline in sea trout fishery on the River Ayr. Research into the reasons for this decline are ongoing.
