From Reykjavik: Lake and River Fishing Tour

Iceland’s best fishing moments may come from the road before you even reach the water. This private tour takes you through Thingvellir National Park and onward to a river or lake where you can fish for brown trout and Arctic char for five to six hours. You can use a spin rod, learn fly fishing, and sometimes fish with bait.

I like the private format, especially if one person in your group is new to fishing. I also like the practical setup: transport, permits, rods, and a guide are included, so you do not need to build a fishing trip from scratch. The main drawback is the price, $766 per person, and Iceland’s weather can make a full day on open water cold and windy.

Key points to know before booking

• Fish two classic Icelandic species: Aim for brown trout and Arctic char, with up to two fish allowed to go home with you.
• Travel through Thingvellir: The drive adds some of Iceland’s most important scenery to the fishing day.
• Choose your fishing style: Use a spin rod, try fly fishing, or ask if bait fishing is possible.
• Get a private guide: You can work at your own pace instead of sharing instruction with a larger group.
• Plan for five to six hours beside the water: The full outing lasts about eight hours, including pickup and driving.
• Pack for rough weather: Warm clothing and a rain jacket are essential, even in summer.

Leaving Reykjavik at 08:00

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area at around 08:00. Transport is included, which matters here. Fishing locations are outside the capital, and having a guide handle the driving lets you focus on the day instead of route planning, equipment, and permits.

This is a private group experience with an English-speaking instructor. That gives you room to ask basic questions without feeling rushed. If you already fish, you can spend more time working on technique. If you are starting from zero, you can ask for help with casting, choosing a method, and handling a fish.

The drive is part of the value. You pass through Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, before reaching the fishing area. The tour does not treat the road as dead time. Your guide can share information about Iceland along the way, as Kristinn did while driving toward the river.

The exact fishing location can vary. One successful outing used River Holaa and Lake Laugarvatn, giving the group two different settings in one day. That mix is useful because river fishing and lake fishing call for different approaches. It also keeps the day from feeling like a single repetitive stop.

Thingvellir gives the drive a sense of place

Thingvellir is not just a scenic roadside stop. It is one of the key places in Iceland, and the park’s position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge helps explain the country’s unusual geology. You will see some of Iceland’s striking natural surroundings before your rod is even assembled.

Do not expect a long guided history walk through the park. This is a fishing day, not a full Thingvellir sightseeing tour. Still, passing through the area adds real context and makes the transfer to the fishing water feel like part of the outing.

The drive also gives you time to settle into Iceland’s pace. The capital disappears, the view opens up, and the focus shifts from city sightseeing to weather, water, and fish. I like that balance. You get an active day without giving up the pleasure of seeing the countryside.

Five to six hours beside river and lake

Once you reach the fishing area, you gear up and prepare for about five to six hours of fishing. Equipment and fishing permits are included, so you do not have to arrange those before arriving. The guide sets up the practical side and helps you get started.

The target species are brown trout and Arctic char. Both can make the day rewarding for a first-time angler, while experienced fishers still have plenty to work on. The fish are not guaranteed, of course, and changing weather or water conditions can affect the action.

One particularly productive day included several brown trout and Arctic char. Another outing involved repeated strikes, landed fish, and long-distance releases. Those details give you a fair sense of the possibilities, but they should not be read as a promise of a certain catch. Fishing is fishing, even in Iceland.

The standard practice is catch and release. You may take up to two fish from the day with you, but you should expect to release most of what you catch. If keeping fish matters to you, ask your guide about the current rules and what is possible on your particular outing.

The guide’s role is active rather than decorative. Freddy, one of the guides used on this experience, helped point out fish in the water and encouraged a first successful Arctic char catch. Kristinn worked hard throughout the day to help his group find fish, while Gummi assisted a couple whose husband caught several.

That kind of hands-on help is especially useful when conditions turn difficult. Wind made casting harder for one pair, but Reynir remained patient and helpful, adjusting his support for the less experienced angler. A private guide can respond to your needs in a way a larger group often cannot.

Spin rod, fly rod, or bait

You can choose between spin fishing and fly fishing. Bait fishing is sometimes possible, but it is not presented as a guaranteed option, so ask before relying on it.

Spin fishing is the easier starting point for many beginners. The technique is more straightforward to pick up, and your guide can help you cast, retrieve, and read the water. It is also a practical choice if you want to concentrate on catching fish rather than learning a new casting style.

Fly fishing offers a different kind of challenge. If you are new to it, the guide is willing to teach you the basic technique. Expect a learning curve, especially if the wind is strong. That said, the chance to try fly fishing in Iceland is one of the tour’s best features for anyone curious about the sport.

Experienced anglers can use the day to refine their approach. You can ask about where to cast, how to read the current, or how to present your lure or fly. The private setting means the instruction can be tailored to the level of the group.

Do not assume you need to bring your own equipment. Fishing gear is included. You should bring warm clothing and a rain jacket, since personal comfort depends far more on what you wear than on the supplied rods.

What the weather means for your day

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and wind is a real factor in this experience. A windy day may make fly casting awkward and can leave you cold after hours beside the water. Even if the forecast looks mild in Reykjavik, pack for conditions at the fishing site.

Wear warm layers and bring a rain jacket. Those are not minor suggestions. You will spend most of the fishing time outdoors, and the day lasts long enough for damp clothing or cold hands to become a real nuisance.

The weather can also shape which method feels best. On a breezy day, spin fishing may be more comfortable for a beginner than fly fishing. Your guide can help decide how to adapt, but you should arrive ready for a day that is active and exposed rather than sheltered.

This is one reason I would not book the tour only because you want a perfect fishing photograph. Book it because you are happy to spend a day outside in uncertain weather, with the scenery and the process mattering as much as the catch.

Food and personal touches

Food is not formally listed among the included features, so you should not book this expecting a provided lunch. Still, Reynir brought sandwiches, snacks, and several drinks on one outing. That is a useful personal touch, but offerings can vary by guide and day.

To be safe, ask about food arrangements before departure or bring something with you. Eight hours is a long stretch, and fishing is more enjoyable when you are not distracted by hunger.

The guides also add value through conversation. Reynir shared facts about Iceland while helping with technique, and Kristinn talked about the area during the drive. These small details turn the trip into more than a transfer to a fishing spot.

You will spend much of the day with one guide, so a friendly working relationship matters. The private format gives you plenty of time for questions, quiet concentration, or a relaxed chat between casts.

Is $766 per person fair value?

At $766 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price makes the most sense for people who want a private fishing experience and would otherwise need to arrange transport, permits, equipment, and instruction separately.

You are paying for an eight-hour outing, including hotel pickup, the drive through Thingvellir, fishing access, equipment, and a guide. The five to six hours of fishing is the main event, but the included logistics remove a lot of planning work.

The value improves if your group has mixed ability. A beginner can get direct instruction while a more experienced angler fishes nearby, without the group having to fit into a fixed public schedule. The guide can also help with equipment and technique throughout the day.

The value is weaker if you are mainly looking for a cheap way to cast a line. You might find less expensive fishing options, but this tour is built around convenience, private guidance, and a full day beyond Reykjavik. It is best viewed as a specialist excursion rather than a budget activity.

The fishing results can vary, too. Some outings have produced several fish and repeated strikes. Others may be quieter. The price buys access and support, not a guaranteed catch.

Who will enjoy this private fishing day?

This tour suits couples, families, and small groups who want an outdoor day without organizing the details themselves. It is also a good choice when one person knows how to fish and another wants patient instruction.

Beginners should feel comfortable booking. You can learn to use a fly rod, receive help from an English-speaking guide, and choose a simpler spin rod if fly casting feels too demanding.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the chance to fish for brown trout and Arctic char in Icelandic rivers and lakes. The guide can help you adjust your technique and identify fish in the water, rather than simply dropping you at a bank and leaving you to work things out.

It is less suitable if you dislike uncertain weather, long outdoor sessions, or the possibility of limited catches. It is also not the right choice if your priority is a formal sightseeing tour of Thingvellir. You see the park during the drive, but the fishing remains the focus.

Practical details that affect your decision

Pickup is included from hotels and guesthouses in the Reykjavik area, usually around 08:00. The tour lasts about eight hours, so keep the rest of your day light.

The group is private, and the guide speaks English. Fishing permits, equipment, transport, and the guide are included. You should provide warm clothing and a rain jacket.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 18 reviews, with repeated praise for the guides, the quality of instruction, the fishing action, and the scenery along the drive. Names that appear in connection with especially strong outings include Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility when arranging an Iceland itinerary. Check the available starting times before booking, since the standard pickup is around 08:00 but availability can vary.

Should you book this fishing tour from Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a private, fully arranged fishing day and are willing to pay for personal guidance. The strongest reasons are the five to six hours on the water, the chance to fish for both brown trout and Arctic char, and the ability to learn fly fishing without bringing your own gear.

I would especially recommend it for mixed-skill groups and visitors who want an active day beyond Reykjavik. Go prepared for wind, rain, and changing fishing conditions. If you need a guaranteed catch or a low-cost activity, choose something else.

For the right angler, the reward is not only the fish. It is the combination of an Icelandic road journey, open-air fishing, local guidance, and the chance to bring home up to two fish under the applicable rules.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area.

What time does pickup usually take place?

Pickup is around 08:00. You should check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

How long does the fishing tour last?

The complete experience lasts about eight hours. You will fish for approximately five to six hours.

Which fish can I catch?

The main targets are brown trout and Arctic char.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

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

Is fishing equipment included?

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

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. The tour is suitable for beginners and experienced anglers. The guide can teach you fishing techniques and help you learn to use a fly rod.

Can I choose between fly fishing and spin fishing?

Yes. You can choose a spin rod or a fly rod. Bait fishing is sometimes possible, but you should confirm that option with the guide.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket. The fishing takes place outdoors, and conditions can be windy or wet.