Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released figures for all of Scotland showing that total salmon catch by all methods in 2025 was the lowest, and total sea trout catch the second lowest, since records began in 1952.

Reported rod catch of salmon of 28,020 was the lowest since records began, and 68% of the previous five-year average.

Salmon 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.

In 2025, release rates of salmon captured by rod were the highest on record. Of spring salmon captured by rod, 99% were released and 98% of all rod-caught salmon were released.

Fish reported as being of farmed origin represented 1.6% of the total catch.

Total reported rod catch of sea trout of 13,025 was the lowest since records began. Sea trout catches have fluctuated around a general trend of decline since the 1960s.

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