Orkney Islands fishing forecast
Orkney Islands is a saltwater fishing spot in Orkney, United Kingdom. Anglers here target Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Halibut, Pollock, Saithe. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #79 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending up — 3 points above this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 11.9 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 11 km/h from S, gusting 18 km/h |
| Wave height | 0.6 m at 6 s |
| Current | 0.08 m/s toward NW |
| Pressure | 1002 hPa |
| Depth | 16 m |
| Cloud cover | 83% |
| Chlorophyll | 2.28 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 34.9 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 37 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.0 m at 0 s |
| Ground swell | 0.6 m at 6 s from W |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.08 → 0.00 m/s |
Nearest buoy: K7 Buoy (175 km): water 10.9 °C, waves —
The water here is 2.4 °C warmer than the October average of 9.5 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 65.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands currently scores 88 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 11.9 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +18.0
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Current +8.1
- moving water concentrates bait
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
What’s biting now
The model expects today: atlantic-cod, pollock, saithe, atlantic-salmon, greenland-halibut, atlantic-herring, sea-trout, common-dab
[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately
Bite windows
Best months for Orkney Islands:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-24, 96/100
28 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
+24 points vs the same day last week
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 16 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore ground
What you can catch
-
Gadus morhua
-
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
-
Pollachius pollachius
-
Pollachius virens
Best months by species at Orkney Islands
| Atlantic CodGadus morhua | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic HalibutHippoglossus hippoglossus | ||||||||||||
| PollockPollachius pollachius | ||||||||||||
| SaithePollachius virens |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic CodOfficial source | — | min 35 cm | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Minimum Conservation Reference Size 35 cm — every cod below it must be returned to the sea immediately. No recreational daily bag limit is published by MMO/Defra (the "5 per day" this pack previously carried had no source). Inside 6 nautical miles your IFCA, DAERA, Marine Directorate or the Welsh Government may set a larger minimum size; cod recovery measures also apply to some North Sea areas. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents No licence required for recreational sea fishing from shore or boat in England and Wales, and no individual licence for sea fishing in Scotland. Species-specific rules still bind you, and your local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) may set additional minimum sizes inside 6 nautical miles., non-residents No licence required. The same species rules and local IFCA byelaws apply.
Some rules may have changed since our last verification — always confirm with the authority before you fish.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. UK rules vary by area (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) and your local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority can set stricter limits inside 6 nautical miles. Always verify with the MMO at gov.uk and the Marine Directorate before fishing.
Check Orkney Islands before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 739 km of Orkney Islands.
-
Loch Ness Scotland
Shetland Banks
Scottish West Coast
Outer Hebrides
River Tay Scotland
Farne Islands Northumberland
Lake Windermere England
Windermere England
River Dee Wales
Norfolk Coast
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Orkney Islands?
Anglers at Orkney Islands target Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Halibut, Pollock and Saithe.
When is the best time to fish Orkney Islands?
The most productive months at Orkney Islands are typically May, June, July, August, September.
What is the fishing forecast for Orkney Islands right now?
Orkney Islands currently scores 88 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Is the thermocline set up at Orkney Islands right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Orkney Islands?
The scored point sits over roughly 16 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Pacific Halibut: The Barn Door of the North PacificHow to Read Tides for FishingHow to Read a Fishing Forecast
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.