Fishing at John o' Groats Harbour
Small harbour at Scotland's northeast tip with a car and coach park right on the water; best fished on the ebb for coalfish and pollock, with cod pushing into the deeper channel through autumn and winter.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Coalfish (Saithe) | All year, best autumn–winter | Feathers or small lures worked off the harbour wall, especially on the drop |
| Pollack (Pollock) | May–October | Lures/soft plastics fished around harbour structure and nearby Duncansby rocks |
| Cod (Atlantic Cod) | Oct–Feb | Lugworm or mussel cocktail fished into the deeper channel on a flowing tide |
| Mackerel | Jun–Sep | Feathers worked mid-water when shoals are in |
Tactics
Fish the ebb tide off the harbour wall with feathers for coalfish and pollock; cod respond best to bait fished into the channel on darker winter tides. The rock marks around Duncansby Head a short drive east offer a more exposed, often better-fish alternative for those willing to walk.
Best tide: Ebb tide · Best time: Autumn and winter for cod, summer evenings for mackerel and coalfish
Dogs
No verified source. Check current signage and the relevant authority.
Access & parking
Signposted car and coach park right at the harbour, a short walk from the famous signpost. Sat-nav: KW1 4YR.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Solid harbour wall and adjacent car park make it manageable, but there's no barrier at the water's edge so supervise young kids closely — a judgement call.
FAQs
Is John o' Groats harbour good for beginners?
Yes — it's an easy, flat harbour wall with parking right alongside, though there's no rail at the edge so supervise kids and dogs closely.
What can you catch at John o' Groats?
Coalfish and pollock are the mainstay off the harbour wall, with cod moving into the deeper channel through autumn and winter and mackerel shoaling in summer.
Do I need a fishing licence to fish at John o' Groats harbour?
No rod licence is needed for UK sea fishing from the shore.
Nearby marks
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.