Fishing at Broughty Ferry Pier & Castle Green
The old pier below Broughty Castle sits right on the mouth of the Tay estuary, a popular and easy mark for coalfish, flounder and sea trout with the castle as a backdrop.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Coalfish (Saithe) | Year-round, best autumn | Feathers or small lures worked off the pier end. |
| Flounder | Apr–Oct | Worm bait fished on the bottom either side of the pier. |
| Sea Trout | Summer | Spinning or fly around dusk as fish move through the estuary. |
| Mackerel | Jun–Sep | Feathers cast and retrieved when shoals are in the estuary mouth. |
Tactics
Fish the pier end on the last hour of the flood and first of the ebb when tidal flow through the estuary mouth picks up and pushes bait past. A local Dundee angling permit (cheap, from a tackle shop) is required to fish this stretch of the Tay.
Best tide: Flood to high water · Best time: Summer evenings
Dogs
Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.
Access & parking
Free parking at Castle Green next to Broughty Castle, short walk onto the pier. Sat-nav: DD5 2EG.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Judgement call — solid pier and grassy green make it manageable with kids, though there's no barrier at the pier edge so supervise closely.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to fish Broughty Ferry?
Yes — a inexpensive Dundee City Council local authority licence covers this stretch of the Tay from the harbour mouth to the airport on the Dundee side.
What can you catch off Broughty Ferry pier?
Coalfish, flounder and sea trout are the regulars, with mackerel passing through in summer.
Is there parking near Broughty Ferry pier?
Yes, free parking at Castle Green right beside the pier, though it gets busy on sunny days.
Nearby marks
Carnoustie Beach · Arbroath Harbour & Cliffs
Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.