Fishing at Montrose Harbour
A working harbour at the mouth of the South Esk where it meets Montrose Basin, fishing on the tide as boats come and go. Cod and sea trout are the draw, with flounder and bass in the wider basin and beaches either side.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Cod (Atlantic Cod) | Oct–Feb | Bait fish lug or mussel hard on the bottom close to the harbour walls on the ebb. |
| Sea Trout | Jul–Sep | Spinning or fly around the harbour mouth and basin narrows on a dropping tide. |
| Flounder | Apr–Oct | Small hooks with worm on light gear in the basin shallows. |
| Bass | Jun–Sep | Lures or bait fished off the adjacent beaches on a rising tide. |
Tactics
Fish the harbour walls and the channel out to the basin on the last of the ebb and first of the flood, when cod and sea trout move through with the current. The basin itself is mostly a flounder venue with little else once you're inside it.
Best tide: Ebb to low water · Best time: Autumn and winter evenings
Dogs
No verified source. Check current signage and the relevant authority.
Access & parking
Park at the harbour or nearby Baltic Street car park and walk onto the quayside; level, easy walking. Sat-nav: DD10 8EX.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Judgement call — solid harbour walls and easy parking, but it's a working harbour with boat traffic and no soft sand right at the fishing spots.
FAQs
Is Montrose Harbour dog friendly?
Yes — no confirmed seasonal ban, but keep dogs on a lead near boat traffic and the nature reserve.
What's the best bait for cod at Montrose?
Lugworm or mussel fished hard on the bottom near the harbour walls works well through autumn and winter.
Do I need a permit to fish Montrose Harbour?
No permit is needed for harbour fishing; if you want to fish further up the basin for salmon or sea trout on club water you'll need a permit from a local tackle shop.
Nearby marks
Johnshaven Harbour · Gourdon Harbour · 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.