The Migrations of North Esk Sea Trout

The migrations of North Esk sea trout were studied by tagging all stages of sea trout taken in a stationary trap situated on Kinnaber Mill Lade which drains its water from the main river. The majority of recaptures were reported from the Montrose area, and evidence of a great deal of intermixing between the sea trout of the North Esk and neighbouring rivers was found. After their initial migration as smolts a proportion of the tagged sea trout returned to fresh water within the same year. Some tagged fish undertook several journeys back and forth between sea water and fresh water during (his period. Numerous examples of tagged sea trout travelling appreciable distances (>100 km) along the coast were obtained. In addition four tagged fish were recaptured in excess of 500 km from the North Esk, three off the Scandinavian coast and one in the River Barvas, North West Lewis.