From Reykjavik: Lake and River Fishing Tour

The best part of this private Iceland fishing tour is the mix of real time on the water and beautiful driving through southern Iceland. You leave Reykjavik around 8:00 a.m., pass through Thingvellir National Park, then fish for brown trout and Arctic char for about five to six hours.

I like the private guide setup, especially for beginners who need patient help with casting or reading the water. I also like that you can choose a spin rod or fly rod, with guides such as Reynir and Freddy willing to teach new fly-fishing skills. The main thing to consider is the price: at $766 per person, this is a serious splurge, best suited to people who truly want a full fishing day rather than a quick outdoor stop.

Key points

• Five to six hours of fishing: Most of the eight-hour tour is spent at the river or lake, not in the vehicle.
• Fish for two Icelandic species: Your target is brown trout and Arctic char, with up to two fish allowed to go home with you.
• Private instruction: You can learn fly-fishing technique, improve your casting, or get help from the guide throughout the day.
• Scenic route through Thingvellir: The drive adds one of Iceland’s most important natural and cultural sites to the outing.
• Guides make the difference: Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy have each led particularly well-received outings.
• Weather matters: Warm clothes and a rain jacket are essential, since wind can make a fishing day much tougher.

A fishing day that begins at Thingvellir

This is not a short casting lesson squeezed between sightseeing stops. You leave your Reykjavik hotel or guesthouse at about 8:00 a.m. and spend most of the day focused on fishing.

The drive takes you through Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Even if your main goal is to catch fish, this route gives the day a stronger sense of place. You are not simply being driven to a private pond. You are crossing one of Iceland’s important natural areas before reaching the river or lake.

The exact fishing location can vary. The outing may use river water, lake water, or both. One successful day included River Holaa and Lake Laugarvatn, giving the anglers two different settings and a chance to look for both brown trout and Arctic char.

That flexibility is useful. Fishing conditions can change with wind, water level, light, and season. A guide who can work between a lake and a river has more options than one tied to a single bank. Still, you should not book this expecting a guaranteed catch. Fishing remains fishing, and Icelandic weather can make the day demanding.

Five to six hours with a rod in your hands

Once you reach the fishing area, the guide helps you get ready with the included equipment and permit. You can fish with a spinning rod or fly rod. Bait fishing may also be possible, though you should confirm the available option when booking if that method matters to you.

The long fishing period is one of this tour’s strongest features. Five to six hours gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the water. Beginners can learn without feeling rushed, while experienced anglers get a substantial session rather than a brief introduction.

For a first-time fly fisher, private instruction is especially valuable. Your guide can show you the basic technique and help correct your movements as you practice. You are not expected to arrive already knowing how to cast a fly rod.

Spin fishing may feel easier for many beginners, particularly in strong wind. One July outing had extremely windy conditions, yet the guide continued to help the less experienced angler. That is a useful reminder that the choice of rod should match both your skill level and the day’s weather.

Experienced anglers also have good reason to choose this outing. A private guide can focus on your goals instead of splitting attention among a large group. You can spend more time trying a particular approach, moving to better water, or working on fly technique.

Brown trout and Arctic char in Icelandic water

The main targets are brown trout and Arctic char. Both give the day a distinctly Icelandic character, and the chance to encounter both species makes the river and lake combination appealing.

Arctic char can be especially exciting because a productive stretch of water may offer repeated action. One outing produced several landed char, many missed strikes, and several fish that got away after hard fights. That kind of day can keep you busy even when every cast does not end with a fish in hand.

Brown trout are also part of the goal. One couple caught two good-sized browns along with an Arctic char. Catch sizes and numbers will vary, but these examples show the range of fishing you might encounter.

The standard practice is catch and release. You are allowed to take up to two fish from the day, but that does not mean you must keep any. If bringing fish with you matters, ask the guide about the current rules and practical arrangements before setting out.

What the private format adds

Private touring is the key reason this outing can work for a mixed-experience pair. One person can be learning the basics while the other fishes at a higher level, and the guide can move between both needs.

Reynir received particular praise for patience, clear help, and local information. On a windy day, he supported the less experienced angler while also helping the pair catch two brown trout and an Arctic char. He also brought sandwiches, snacks, and several drinks to try, which made the long day easier.

Kristinn was praised for sharing information about the area during the drive and working hard throughout the fishing session. Gummi also helped make a successful day for an angler whose husband caught several fish.

Freddy led an outing that included close attention to the water, help spotting fish, and encouragement during the landing of a first Icelandic Arctic char. Those details matter because a guide is doing more than handing you equipment. The guide helps you notice where fish are, how to respond to a strike, and how to manage the fish once hooked.

The provider is Anglers.is, Fishing in Iceland. The guiding language listed for the tour is English.

The scenery is part of the value

You should not choose this trip only for the fish. The drive through Thingvellir and the time spent beside Icelandic river or lake water are a large part of what you are paying for.

The scenery changes as you leave Reykjavik and head toward the fishing area. The exact views depend on the route and location used that day, but the trip is designed to show you more of southern Iceland than you would see from the city alone.

Thingvellir gives the drive a clear highlight near the beginning. The park lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and has UNESCO World Heritage status. You may be focused on reaching the water, but the route gives you a memorable setting before the fishing starts.

There is also a quieter pleasure in spending several hours outdoors beside Icelandic water. This is less about checking off a famous attraction and more about paying attention to current, shoreline, weather, and the possibility of a fish appearing below the surface.

Weather can shape the entire experience

Iceland’s weather is the main practical concern. The tour specifically advises warm clothing and a rain jacket, and you should take that advice seriously.

Wind is not a minor nuisance when you are casting. It can make fly-fishing harder, chill you quickly, and test your patience even during a successful day. A private guide helps, but no guide can remove the weather.

Dress in layers so you can adjust during the drive and fishing session. Keep your rain jacket easy to reach rather than buried in a bag. Warm clothes are just as important for experienced anglers as for beginners, since you may spend long periods standing still beside the water.

This is also why the private format helps. If the conditions are tiring, you have a guide who can adapt the teaching and fishing approach to your group. Even so, you should be comfortable spending much of the day outside in changeable weather.

Is $766 per person a fair price?

At $766 per person, this is expensive. The price becomes easier to assess when you look at what is included: hotel or guesthouse pickup in the Reykjavik area, transport, a private English-speaking guide, fishing equipment, and fishing permits.

You are also paying for a full eight-hour day, with around five to six hours of actual fishing. That is much more substantial than a short group lesson or a simple equipment rental.

For two people with different skill levels, the value is stronger. You get a guide focused only on your group, help with technique, transport to the fishing area, and the chance to fish in more than one kind of setting.

The value is weaker if you are only mildly interested in fishing or mainly want a scenic drive. In that case, the cost may feel high for an activity whose success depends on weather and fish activity. You also need to accept that a catch is never guaranteed, even though several outings produced multiple fish.

The included food and drinks on at least some outings are a welcome touch, but you should not treat them as a formal meal unless confirmed in advance. Bring anything else you need for a full day outdoors.

Who should book this outing?

This tour suits you best if fishing is a central part of your Iceland trip. It is a strong choice for a couple or small private group with one keen angler and one beginner, since the guide can teach without holding back the more experienced person.

It also suits anglers who want to try fly-fishing in Iceland without bringing their own gear. The guide can teach the technique, while the included equipment removes the need to arrange rods, reels, and other basics separately.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold, wind, or long periods outdoors. It is also not the best match if you want a quick activity near Reykjavik, since the day is built around travel and several hours of fishing.

The tour carries a 4.9 rating from 18 bookings, with especially strong praise for guide quality, personal attention, scenic driving, and the chance to catch Arctic char. The most useful takeaway is not simply that people caught fish. It is that the guides stayed involved when the weather was difficult and when anglers had different levels of experience.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is included from your Reykjavik-area hotel or guesthouse, normally around 8:00 a.m. The total duration is eight hours, so keep the rest of your day fairly open.

The group is private, and the instruction is in English. Fishing permits and equipment are included, which makes planning simpler.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still changing.

Bring warm clothing and a rain jacket. The tour allows up to two fish to be taken, although catch and release is the normal practice. If keeping fish is important to you, clarify the details before departure.

Should you book this Iceland fishing tour?

Book it if you want a serious, private fishing day with a good chance to learn, several hours on the water, and a scenic route through Thingvellir. The personal help from guides such as Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, and Freddy is a major part of the experience, especially for beginners.

Think twice if $766 per person stretches your budget or if fishing is only a small side interest. For the right person, the combination of private instruction, included gear and permits, brown trout, Arctic char, and southern Iceland scenery can justify the cost. Just pack for wind, bring patience, and remember that the fish do not read the schedule.

FAQ

Where does this fishing tour begin?

Pickup is included from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area, usually around 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full activity 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.

Can I choose fly-fishing?

Yes. You can choose a fly rod or spin rod. Bait fishing is sometimes possible, and the guide can teach you fly-fishing technique.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment and permits are included in the price.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private-group experience.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide provides instruction in English.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

You may take up to two fish from the day, although catch and release is the standard practice.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket. Wind and rain can affect conditions at the fishing area.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.