Gone Fishing Loch Ness Monster? Facts & Lore

Updated November 7, 2026

No, the phrase “gone fishing” does not refer to the Loch Ness Monster, and there is no evidence that the creature has ever been caught or has gone fishing. The expression is simply a colloquial way of saying someone is unavailable or has left, while the Loch Ness Monster is a legendary creature from Scottish folklore whose existence remains unproven.

What Is the Loch Ness Monster?

The Loch Ness Monster, often called “Nessie,” is a creature said to inhabit Loch Ness, a large, deep freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. The earliest written account often cited is from Adomnán’s Life of St. Columba (7th century), which describes a water beast attacking a swimmer and being repelled by the saint. However, the modern legend gained worldwide attention in 1933 after a sighting reported in the Inverness Courier and the famous “Surgeon’s Photograph” of 1934, which was later revealed to be a hoax. The creature is typically described as a large, long-necked aquatic animal, sometimes compared to a plesiosaur, though no physical evidence has ever been found.

Why “Gone Fishing” Is Not Related

The phrase “gone fishing” has been used since the 19th century as a euphemism for being away, unavailable, or even dead (as in “pushing up daisies”). It is often humorously placed on signs or out-of-office messages. The Loch Ness Monster is not associated with this idiom in any folklore or historical text. The confusion likely arises from the playful idea of a monster “going fishing” in its own lake, but there is no tradition, song, or story that links the two. If you search “gone fishing loch ness monster,” you will mostly find novelty items, social media jokes, or tourist souvenirs that combine the two concepts for humor.

How the Loch Ness Monster Legend Developed

The modern Nessie legend grew from a mix of local folklore, hoaxes, and misidentified natural phenomena. Key elements include:

Early reports: Sightings of a “water horse” (each-uisge) in Scottish lochs predate the 20th century, but these were mythical creatures, not a specific monster.
1933 road construction: A new road along the loch’s shore made the area more accessible, leading to a spike in reported sightings.
The Surgeon’s Photograph: The most famous image, taken by Robert Kenneth Wilson, was exposed in 1994 as a hoax using a toy submarine with a model head.
Sonar and expeditions: Numerous sonar sweeps, including Operation Deepscan in 1987, found no conclusive evidence of a large animal.
DNA survey (2018): A study of environmental DNA from the loch found no evidence of plesiosaurs or large fish like sharks, but did find a lot of eel DNA, leading some to suggest Nessie could be a giant eel.

Common Misconceptions and Hoaxes

Many “Nessie” photos and videos have been debunked. The most notable hoaxes include:

The Surgeon’s Photograph (1934): Revealed as a hoax in 1994 by one of the participants, Christian Spurling.
The 1972 “Flipper” photo: Taken by the Academy of Applied Science, it was later shown to be a log or a trick of light.
The 2019 “Nessie” on Google Maps: A shape spotted by a tourist turned out to be a boat wake.

These hoaxes have made people skeptical, but they also keep the legend alive. The Loch Ness Monster is now a cultural icon, and the area’s tourism industry heavily relies on the mystery.

Scientific Searches and Evidence

Scientists have conducted several systematic searches. In 2003, the BBC sponsored a sonar sweep that found nothing. In 2018, the eDNA study mentioned above was published in JMIRx (a preprint server) and later in a journal; it found no DNA from large animals like plesiosaurs, but did find high amounts of eel DNA. The lead researcher, Neil Gemmell, suggested that a giant eel could explain some sightings, but no giant eel has ever been caught. In 2023, a volunteer group conducted the largest sonar search in decades, covering the loch with a hydrophone array, but again found no large moving objects. The lack of physical evidence (bones, carcasses, or clear photographs) makes it highly unlikely that a breeding population of large animals exists in the loch.

How to Visit Loch Ness and Search Responsibly

If you want to look for Nessie yourself, here are practical tips:

Choose a clear day: Loch Ness is often overcast; visibility improves on calm, sunny days.
Bring binoculars: Many sightings are of ripples or objects far from shore.
Take a boat tour: Several operators offer cruises with sonar, but they are mainly for tourists, not serious research.
Respect the environment: The loch is a protected area; do not litter or disturb wildlife.
Know what you might see: Waves, logs, seals (rarely), and boats are the most common explanations.

There are also webcams and live streams if you cannot travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the Loch Ness Monster ever been caught?

No. There is no record of anyone capturing the creature, dead or alive. All claimed physical evidence has been hoaxes or misidentified objects.

What is the most likely explanation for sightings?

Most sightings are likely misidentifications of waves, floating logs, birds, deer swimming, or boats. Some researchers suggest large eels, but no giant eel has been found. The power of suggestion and the desire to believe also play a role.

Is “gone fishing” a code for Nessie?

No. The phrase is a common idiom for being away or unavailable. It has no connection to the Loch Ness Monster in any folklore or historical document.

Can I go fishing for Nessie?

Fishing in Loch Ness requires a permit, but you are unlikely to catch anything unusual. The loch is open to anglers for salmon and trout, but no one has ever hooked a monster.

What did the 2018 DNA study find?

The study found no DNA from plesiosaurs, sharks, or catfish. It did find a large amount of eel DNA, which led to speculation that a giant eel could explain some sightings, but this is not proof.

Alternatives to Searching for Nessie

If you are interested in Scottish water mythology, consider learning about the each-uisge (water horse) or the kelpie, which are traditional shapeshifting spirits. You can also visit other lochs, such as Loch Morar (home of “Morag”) or Loch Shiel, which have their own monster legends. These are less famous but equally rich in folklore.

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