From Reykjavik: Lake and River Fishing Tour

The best part of this outing is the mix of serious fishing and classic Iceland scenery. You leave Reykjavik, pass through Thingvellir National Park, then spend five to six hours working for brown trout and Arctic char in a river or lake. It feels like a real day in the countryside, not a quick casting lesson beside the city.

I like the private format, since your guide can adjust the pace for a first-timer or an experienced angler. I also like that all gear, permits, transport, and instruction are covered, with guides such as Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy praised for patience and good company. The main consideration is the price: at $766 per person, this makes the most sense if fishing is a major part of your Iceland trip.

Key points at a glance

• Fishing near Thingvellir: Your drive takes you through Iceland’s UNESCO-listed national park and along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge before the fishing begins.
• Private guide and group: You receive personal instruction rather than sharing a boat, vehicle, or fishing spot with a large group.
• Two fishing styles: Choose a spin rod, try a fly rod, or ask about bait fishing when conditions allow.
• Brown trout and Arctic char: These are the main targets, with fishing possible in both river and lake settings.
• Food and drinks may be provided: Guide Reynir brought sandwiches, snacks, and several drinks for one group, but this should not be treated as a guaranteed inclusion.
• Flexible for beginners: Your guide can teach basic casting and fly-fishing technique while helping more experienced anglers improve their approach.

Leaving Reykjavik at 8:00 for the fishing grounds

Your day begins with pickup at your Reykjavik hotel or guesthouse at about 08:00. Transport is included, which matters here because the fishing area is outside the city and the route is part of the experience.

The drive takes you through Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The park gives the morning a strong sense of place before you even reach the water. You are not simply being shuttled to a fishing hole. You are crossing one of Iceland’s most important natural and cultural areas on the way to a quieter day outdoors.

The exact fishing location can vary. The tour may use a river, a lake, or both, depending on the day’s plan and conditions. One outing included River Holaa and Lake Laugarvatn, giving the group two different settings and a chance to look for both brown trout and Arctic char.

I like this start because it makes the trip feel like an excursion across southern Iceland, with fishing as the main purpose. The drawback is that an early pickup and a full day outside require a little planning. Wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket, even if Reykjavik looks calm when you leave. The fishing area may be windy, and one group found that strong wind made the day more demanding for the less experienced angler.

Getting set up with rods, permits, and instruction

When you reach the fishing area, you get ready with the supplied equipment. Fishing permits, fishing gear, transport, and a guide are included, so you do not need to arrange the basic pieces separately.

You can fish with a spin rod or fly rod. Bait fishing may sometimes be possible, but it is not presented as a guaranteed option. If you want to learn fly fishing, tell your guide early. The guides are willing to teach the basic technique, which makes this more than a simple equipment rental with a driver attached.

For a beginner, the private setup is especially useful. Your guide can watch your casting, correct your movements, and help you read the water without making you feel rushed. You may also get help choosing where to cast and how to react when a fish takes the lure or fly.

Experienced anglers should still find value in the day, particularly if you want access to local water without working out the permits and arrangements yourself. A guide can also keep the day moving when the fish are quiet. That personal attention was a repeated strength of the experience, with guides helping people land fish and offering advice throughout the day.

Five to six hours beside Icelandic rivers and lakes

The actual fishing lasts around five to six hours. That is a substantial block of time, not a token stop during a sightseeing drive.

You might spend the day at one location or move between a lake and a river. Lake Laugarvatn and River Holaa were used on one outing, and the contrast matters. A lake can give you room to work a wider area, while a river asks you to pay closer attention to current, banks, and the position of fish in moving water.

The target species are brown trout and Arctic char. The experience can be active, but fishing is never fully predictable. One angler described seeing dozens of Arctic char, landing five, and having six fish break away after hard fights. That same outing included many missed strikes. This is useful context: you can have plenty of action without bringing home a large catch.

Another group caught two good-sized brown trout and an Arctic char despite strong wind. Other outings produced several fish or quite a number of fish through the day. Your results will depend on conditions, your technique, and the water selected, so book this for the pleasure of fishing rather than a guaranteed haul.

That is also why the guide matters. Freddy was praised for pointing out fish in the water and encouraging a first successful landing. Reynir helped a less experienced angler through a windy day and explained facts about Iceland along the way. These details suggest that the guide is not just there to drive and hand over a rod. The guide is central to how much you get from the day.

Learning fly fishing without pressure

If fly fishing is new to you, this is a sensible way to try it. You do not need to arrive as a skilled caster. The guide can show you the right technique and give you time to practice on actual Icelandic water.

I would tell a beginner to be clear about their goals at the start. If you want to learn fly fishing, say so before the day gets underway. If you would rather focus on catching fish with a spin rod, say that instead. Since the group is private, the guide can shape the session around your interests more easily than a large shared tour could.

The fishing is also suitable for couples or friends with different ability levels. One person can work on fly casting while the other uses a spin rod. The available information does not promise a particular combination of rods for every outing, so confirm any special equipment request when booking.

You should expect some repetition and patience. Casting, watching the water, changing position, and waiting for a strike are part of the rhythm. The private guide helps, but cannot control the weather or make fish bite on schedule.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest element of this experience is the guide service. Several guides have been singled out by name, including Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy.

Kristinn shared information about the area during the drive and worked hard to help the group catch fish. Gummi guided a day when one husband caught several fish. Freddy was described as attentive from hotel pickup through the fishing session, with a talent for spotting fish and encouraging the angler during a first Arctic char catch.

Reynir’s approach sounds especially helpful for mixed-ability pairs. He was patient with the less experienced angler, offered local facts, and brought sandwiches, snacks, and several drinks. Food is not listed among the standard inclusions, so consider that a guide-specific kindness rather than something to count on.

The guides speak English. Their role includes fishing instruction, local interpretation, and practical help with the gear. That combination gives the outing more value than a self-guided permit, especially if you have limited time in Iceland and want to make the most of a single fishing day.

Catch and release, with limited fish to keep

Catch and release is the standard practice. You may take up to two fish from the day with you, but the experience is not built around filling a cooler.

That approach suits anglers who care about the fishing itself and the chance to see brown trout and Arctic char in their natural setting. It also means you should not book this as a guaranteed source of dinner. The rules allow you to keep fish, but the normal expectation is to release your catch.

The possibility of keeping up to two fish gives you some flexibility. If taking home a fish matters to you, ask your guide about the current arrangements at the fishing location. The provided details do not specify cleaning, cooking, storage, or transport for fish you keep.

How much value is there at $766 per person?

The stated price is $766 per person, which is a major expense. I would compare it with the cost of arranging the same pieces independently: transport from Reykjavik, fishing permits, equipment, guide time, and access to suitable river or lake water.

You are paying for a full eight-hour day, with roughly five to six hours of fishing, private transport, supplied gear, permits, and personal instruction. You also get the scenic drive through Thingvellir rather than needing to find your own way to the fishing area.

The value improves if two people in your group fish and want different levels of help. A beginner receives hands-on instruction, while a seasoned angler gets a full session in Icelandic water. The value is weaker if you are only mildly interested in fishing or mainly want a sightseeing drive. In that case, a less expensive sightseeing excursion may suit you better.

The price also reflects convenience. You do not need to source rods, learn the permit system, or organize a rental vehicle. If you are already bringing your own fishing equipment and planning to drive yourself, some of the included services may be less important to you.

Weather, clothing, and the physical feel of the day

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and this is an outdoor activity with no indoor fallback. Warm clothes and a rain jacket are specifically required advice, not a minor suggestion.

Wind can affect your casting, especially with a fly rod. It can also make a long session feel colder than expected. Dress for standing outside for several hours, and keep your outer layer ready even if the morning begins dry.

The available information does not describe the walking distance, terrain, wading arrangements, or rest facilities. You should ask the provider about those points if they are important to you. Do not assume that fishing beside a lake or river means you will have easy access or a comfortable seated setup.

The eight-hour duration includes the drive from Reykjavik and the return journey. You will spend much of the day outside, so the tour suits you best if you enjoy a patient, weather-dependent activity rather than a tightly scheduled series of attractions.

Who should book this private fishing day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• A beginner who wants one-on-one help with a rod or fly-fishing technique
• A couple or pair with different fishing abilities
• An experienced angler who wants permits, gear, and transport handled
• Someone who wants to combine Iceland scenery with a genuine fishing session
• An angler who values brown trout and Arctic char more than a guaranteed number of fish

It is less suitable if you dislike wind, rain, or waiting. It may also be poor value if you want only a short introduction to fishing, since the day is built around a long outing and a full day away from Reykjavik.

The private group format helps with comfort and focus. You are not trying to learn while a busload of people waits nearby. At the same time, private does not mean the weather will cooperate or that every cast will produce a fish.

Booking details that affect your decision

Pickup is included from hotels and guesthouses in the Reykjavik area, usually around 08:00. The activity lasts eight hours, and the fishing portion takes around five to six hours.

The instructor language is English. The group is private, and the provider is Anglers.is, Fishing in Iceland.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve now and pay later option is also available, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still taking shape.

Before you book, check the available starting time and ask about the expected fishing location, especially if you have a strong preference for river or lake fishing. Also confirm any questions about bait fishing, keeping fish, and the type of casting instruction you want.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if fishing is one of your main reasons for visiting Iceland and you want a private day with the practical work handled for you. The combination of Thingvellir scenery, five to six hours on the water, supplied equipment, and personal coaching gives the outing real substance.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a beginner paired with an experienced angler. Guides such as Reynir and Freddy have shown the kind of patience and encouragement that can turn a difficult windy day into a rewarding one.

Skip it if $766 feels hard to justify or if you would be disappointed by a slow fishing day. Fish are wild, weather is changeable, and catch and release is the norm. But if you accept those conditions and want a serious, personal fishing experience near Reykjavik, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the fishing tour begin?

Pickup is included from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area at around 08:00.

How long does the activity last?

The full tour lasts eight hours. About five to six hours are spent fishing.

Which fish can I catch?

The main targets are brown trout and Arctic char.

Does the tour include fishing equipment?

Yes. Fishing equipment, fishing permits, transport, and a fishing guide are included.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced anglers. Your guide can teach fishing techniques and fly-fishing technique.

Can I use a fly rod?

Yes. You can choose a fly rod or a spin rod. Bait fishing is sometimes possible.

Can I keep any fish?

Catch and release is standard practice, but you may take up to two fish from the day with you.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket for the trip.