From Reykjavik: Lake and River Fishing Tour

The best part of this trip is the combination of proper fishing time and Icelandic scenery: you drive through Thingvellir National Park, then spend about five to six hours fishing for brown trout and Arctic char. It is a private outing, so the day can suit a first-timer learning with a fly rod as well as an angler who already knows what to do.

I like two things in particular: the guide and equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange permits or bring fishing tackle, and the guide can help you choose between spin and fly fishing. Past guides have included Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy, with particular praise for patient instruction and attentive help on the water.

The main consideration is the price: at $766 per person, this is a costly day out, especially if your chief aim is simply to try fishing once. The price makes more sense if you value a private guide, transport from Reykjavik, included gear and permits, and several hours of fishing rather than a quick casting lesson.

What to know before you book

• Expect a full day, but not eight hours with a rod in hand: The trip lasts about eight hours, including the drive. Fishing takes around five to six hours.
• Thingvellir is part of the journey: You drive through the UNESCO-listed national park on the way to the river or lake.
• You can choose spin or fly fishing: Bait fishing may sometimes be possible, and your guide can teach you fly-fishing technique.
• Brown trout and Arctic char are the targets: You might see more than you catch; one outing included dozens of char sightings.
• Catch and release is the norm: You may take up to two fish with you.
• Dress for Icelandic weather: Bring warm clothes and a rain jacket, even if the day looks settled when you leave Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik to Thingvellir and the water

Pickup is included from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area, usually around 08:00. That makes the morning simple: you do not need to drive yourself, find a fishing site, or figure out which permits apply. The group is private, so you are not sharing the guide’s attention with an unrelated party.

The drive takes you through Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The park is one of Iceland’s most notable natural and historic places, and it gives the outing a scenic start before the fishing begins. This is not a separate sightseeing tour with a long stop at each landmark, though. The focus is getting to the fishing area and making the most of your time there.

Guides have shared information about the area during the drive. That can be a useful part of the day if you want more than a ride between Reykjavik and the water. Still, keep your expectations practical: the route is a welcome part of the experience, but the main event is several hours of fishing.

The exact river or lake can vary. Anglers have fished the Hólaá River and Lake Laugarvatn, among other spots described as the fishing area. These give you a sense of the kind of outing to expect, but do not assume every trip visits both places. Ask the operator about the planned location if a particular river or lake matters to you.

Five or six hours to learn, cast, and wait

Once you reach the fishing area, you gear up and fish for around five to six hours. That is substantial time on the water, not a short demonstration. It also means the day suits people who are happy to spend much of an outing focused on casting, watching, and trying again.

You can use a spin rod or a fly rod. Bait fishing may also be possible at times, so ask your guide what methods are available for your outing. If you have never fly-fished, say so early. The guide is willing to teach the right technique, and a private format gives you room to work through the basics without feeling you are holding up a group.

The guide’s help can matter more than a long list of gear. Wind can make casting harder, especially for a beginner. Reynir, for example, helped a less experienced angler through a very windy day. Freddy was attentive to fish in the water and encouraged an angler landing a first Icelandic Arctic char. These examples are not a promise that every day will bring easy conditions or a particular guide, but they show the kind of direct, hands-on assistance you can ask for.

Fishing still depends on conditions, timing, and skill. One outing produced several Arctic char, while another brought brown trout and char. A separate angler described many missed strikes and fish that got away, a useful reminder that seeing activity does not guarantee a full catch. A guide can improve your chances and help you read the water, but no one can promise a certain number of fish.

Brown trout, Arctic char, and catch expectations

The target species are brown trout and Arctic char. The possibility of catching either gives the day variety, though the balance between species can change with the location and conditions. You might have a busy session, or you might need patience between bites.

One angler reported seeing dozens of Arctic char and a couple of brown trout, then landing five char and losing several more during hard fights. Another outing brought two good-sized brown trout and an Arctic char. Those are encouraging examples, not a forecast. Bring a sense of adventure, but do not judge the day only by the number of fish in your bag.

Catch and release is standard practice. You are allowed to take up to two fish from the day, so there is an option to keep a small amount of your catch. If taking fish home is important to you, confirm the details with the guide before you go. The main value here is time on the water and the chance to learn, not a guaranteed meal.

Guides, gear, and the personal feel

The included package covers transport, fishing permits, equipment, and a fishing guide. That removes several practical hurdles, particularly if you are visiting Iceland without fishing gear or do not know which permissions you need. You can arrive ready to learn rather than spending part of your holiday sourcing tackle.

Guides who have led this outing include Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy. Their individual styles will differ, but the strongest qualities shown across these trips are patience, local knowledge, and active help. Kristinn shared information about the area while driving and worked hard to help an angler catch fish. Gummi was singled out for helping an angler’s husband land several. Freddy’s attentive spotting and encouragement helped make a first char catch a memorable one.

One guide, Reynir, also brought sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Treat that as a specific example, not a guaranteed meal service. The activity information does not promise food, so bring any snacks or drinks you want for a long day unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Because it is a private group, you can ask questions and work at your own pace. That is especially useful if one person in your party is experienced and another is new. It also makes the cost easier to assess: you are paying for a dedicated day with transport and instruction, not just access to a fishing spot.

The $766 question

At $766 per person, this is a premium excursion. You are paying for an eight-hour private trip from Reykjavik, five to six hours of fishing, a guide, transport, permits, and fishing equipment. For someone who already owns gear, has local fishing knowledge, and wants only a low-cost outing, the price may be hard to justify.

The value improves if you want the day handled for you. You do not need to plan transport to the fishing area, find equipment, or arrange permits. A beginner also gets access to a guide who can teach basic fly-fishing technique and help adjust to conditions. For an experienced angler, the appeal is a full day targeting Icelandic trout and char with local guidance.

The price is per person, so it can add up for a couple or family. Compare the cost with how much you value privacy, convenience, and several hours of guided fishing. If your priority is a scenic drive with only a little time outdoors, this may be more fishing-focused than you want. If fishing is a central part of your Iceland plans, the private format and included essentials make a stronger case.

Weather, clothing, and a sensible plan

The clearest packing advice is to wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket. The outing includes several hours outdoors, and wind can affect both comfort and casting. A sunny Reykjavik morning is no guarantee of a calm fishing session, so dress for time beside the water rather than time in the car.

You should also plan around an early start. Pickup is usually around 08:00, and the full day lasts roughly eight hours. That leaves less room for another major activity on the same day, especially if you want a relaxed evening after fishing.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times should be checked for your date. The guide speaks English, and pickup is available at Reykjavik-area hotels and guesthouses.

Who will get the most from this trip

This is a good fit if you want to fish in Iceland but do not have your own equipment or local arrangements. Beginners can ask for help with a fly rod, while experienced anglers can choose their preferred method and spend a substantial block of time pursuing trout and char.

It also suits a pair or small private party with mixed experience. One person can learn while the other fishes at a more familiar pace, and the guide can focus on your group. The drive through Thingvellir adds scenic value, though you should book for the fishing rather than expect a full national park tour.

If you are mainly seeking an inexpensive activity, dislike spending hours outdoors, or need a guaranteed catch, look elsewhere. Fish are wild, and conditions vary. If you enjoy the process as much as the result, and value a guide who helps you make the most of the water, this can be a rewarding use of a day.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a private, well-equipped fishing day and are willing to pay for the convenience of transport, permits, gear, and instruction. It is especially appealing to beginners who want a guide beside them, or to anglers who would rather spend their Iceland holiday fishing than sorting out logistics.

Think twice if the price is your main concern or if you want a guaranteed catch. Ask which fishing area and method are planned, and bring warm layers, a rain jacket, and any snacks you need. With realistic expectations, you get a long day outdoors, a scenic drive through Thingvellir, and a genuine chance to fish for brown trout and Arctic char.

FAQ

How long is the fishing tour?

The full activity lasts about eight hours. Around five to six hours are spent fishing.

Where does pickup take place?

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

What fish can I try to catch?

The target fish are brown trout and Arctic char.

Can a beginner learn fly fishing?

Yes. The guide is willing to teach fly-fishing technique. You can also choose a spin rod, and bait fishing may sometimes be possible.

What is included in the price?

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

Can I keep fish that I catch?

Catch and release is standard practice, but anglers are allowed to take up to two fish from the day.