Stillwater · Peat · Shetland / North Mainland

Lunga Water

Lunga Water terrain map
Terrain map

One of Shetland's larger northern lochs — a wild, peaty water set in open voe-and-moor country.

Fair · Trout
Sedgehog · 10-12
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Hard work without breeze. Look for the dimples.
47% confidence
limited data

This venue is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSE 1 km/hDead calm · Gusts to 3 km/h
Today’s fly
Sedgehog
Sedgehog10-12
High-confidence seasonal pick
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Dead calm · Gusts to 3 km/h
SE 1 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
WaveFlat calm
Water temp—
Air temp11°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for trout
When
May-August
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Potty's Palmer on the bob and Mini Lure on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.
The plan
Plan A

With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Potty's Palmer on the bob and Mini Lure on the point. In the calm, a single dry fly or buzzer-under-bung approach may be more effective than a drifted team.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Bank

Flat calm suits bank fishing near features — points, weed beds, and inflows where fish patrol.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
ML
Mini Lure
10-12 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Shetland Anglers Association permit.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 4
Longa Water
17 km
Brown trout
Loch of Vaara
36 km
Brown trout · Sea trout
Loch of Sulma
40 km
Brown trout
Tingwall Area Lochs
47 km
Brown trout
About this water

One of Shetland's larger northern lochs — a wild, peaty water set in open voe-and-moor country. Lunga Water holds a good population of brown trout and the occasional sea trout. Less fished than the southern and central lochs, it rewards the angler willing to walk a little further. The surrounding landscape is bleak and beautiful — otters, great skuas, and red-throated divers share the water. Fishing here is as much about the experience as the catch. The trout are genuine wild fish that have never seen a pellet.

  • Loch
  • Peat
Why this score
  • Lake Olive is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout15 March → 6 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — Shetland sea trout system. Present but on diminished stock baseline versus historical levels. Condition-dependent; local knowledge required.

Related guides
Scotland Playbookloch & river fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts