Ferox Trout

Ferox trout is a name often used to describe large, piscivorous brown trout Salmo trutta, which are thought to be the top fish predators in many of Scotlands lochs. In some lochs, ferox trout are
reproductively isolated and genetically distinct from the other sympatric brown trout. Ferox trout are often considered a separate species – Salmo ferox. Currently, however, most fisheries biologists consider ferox trout to be members of the brown trout species that have adopted a life history strategy of delayed maturation, extended longevity, piscivory, and rapid growth.

Ferox trout display a wide variety of shape, colouration and spot patterns. The condition of individual fish is also very variable and depends on factors such as age, season, whether it has spawned during the previous winter and possible parasite infestation.
Ferox trout have a reputation as cannibals, in part due to the misuse of the word cannibal to describe any trout that eats other fish. Ferox have a marked preference for Artic Char. True cannibalism is probably less common than might be supposed – but in the absence of other prey fish, ferox will certainly prey on their own kind.

Ferox are becoming rare and are extremely difficult to catch. Catching one of these fish can often be a “fish of a lifetime”. Trolling for ferox trout will test your skill, endurance and patience. You could fish for hours, days, weeks or months without catching a ferox trout. On other occasions you might catch three or four in one day. The most important thing is that we protect this fish and return any ferox that we catch back into the loch. You never know the next time it is caught it could be a lot bigger. After releasing a ferox and watching it swimming back down to the depths is an amazing experience. The feeling cannot be put into words, it is a truly remarkable feeling. I would recommend anyone who catches a ferox to release it so that we can continue the existence of this fascinating fish.

The current British ferox record stands at

14.4 kg (31lb 12oz) The fish was caught from Loch Awe by Mr Brian Rutland in 2002.  However, Brian has actually beaten his record by catching a fish 1 pounds heavier than his record.  Brian returned this fish back to the water without claiming the new record.