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Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
567-acre lake near Highland. The lake tops out around 26 ft. These contours are modeled — built from the real shoreline and the water's maximum depth — so read them as a guide, never as navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, Loch an Ruathair or Loch Ruthair draws 566 acres inside 5.3 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 66% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 1.8 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.7 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Highland. For a second option, Loch Arichlinie lies 2 mi southwest.
Come spring, look for brown trout tight to the bank in 3 to 25 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 26 ft, then a winter hold in 4 to 26 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 12 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 4 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 4 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: european perch in 3 to 12 ft. As the season builds they drop to 7 to 26 ft, wintering in 8 to 26 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 3 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small crankbait (perch pattern) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Inline spinner #1-2 |
| Summer | 7 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 28 ft | dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small crankbait (perch pattern) |
| Fall | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 33 ft | midday | Deep basin (22 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Drop-shot on deep flats |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 33 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Tungsten jig + maggots, Small balance jig |
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 3 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 22 ft, is the deepest of them.
Loch an Ruathair or Loch Ruthair is about 26 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brown trout, european perch, northern pike on Loch an Ruathair or Loch Ruthair. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for european perch in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Loch Arichlinie 2 mi · Loch Achnamoine 4 mi · Loch Druim a Chliabhain 4 mi · Loch Coire nam Mang 5 mi · Loch an Alltan Fheàrna 7 mi · Loch Truderscaig 10 mi · Loch Syre 14 mi · Loch More 14 mi · Loch Naver 15 mi · Loch Choire or Loch Coir an Fhearna 15 mi · Loch Meadie 16 mi · Loch Shurrey 16 mi
See how Loch an Ruathair or Loch Ruthair stacks up: best northern pike lakes in United Kingdom · best european perch lakes in United Kingdom · best brown trout lakes in United Kingdom
More water nearby: Highland fishing maps (242 charts). Browse all United Kingdom fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.