Fly fishing in northern Iceland: the waters around Akureyri and what you can fish where

Northern Iceland is where we run most of our fly-fishing trips, and it's easy to see why. With Akureyri as your base, you can reach everything from large trout rivers and small streams reminiscent of chalk streams to lakes, sea trout fisheries and remote rivers out on the peninsulas. Here we go through the waters we work with and what you can fish for in them.

Why northern Iceland?

Many of the waters in the north are spring-fed and nutrient-rich, and several flow through volcanic landscapes where black lava sand meets green slopes. This creates clear water, plenty of insects and fish that grow well. We book flights to Akureyri from Stockholm, Copenhagen or Oslo, and from there most of the waters are just a short journey away. Laxá í Aðaldal is about an hour's drive from the airport.

The waters we fish

Laxá í Aðaldal

Species: trout and salmon.

Laxá flows out of Mývatn and is one of the best-known river systems in northern Iceland. The upper sections, Mývatnssveit and Laxárdalur, are known for wild trout caught on dry flies, while the lower sections are classic salmon water. Here you'll encounter bigger water, faster currents and large trout. Read more in our guide to trout fishing in Iceland.

Mýrarkvísl

Species: brown trout, Arctic char and salmon.

Mýrarkvísl is the lowest tributary of Laxá í Aðaldal. The upper section flows gently across the Reykjaheiði plateau and is perfect for dry-fly fishing for trout, while the canyon pools farther downstream hold salmon in summer. The river also includes Lake Langavatn, which has plenty of smaller Arctic char and good trout fishing, and from late July the char run up the river to spawn.

Reykjadalsá

Species: brown trout, Arctic char and salmon.

Reykjadalsá offers around 35 kilometers of fishing water and classic North Icelandic fly fishing in small to medium-sized rivers. Much of the fishing is about reading the currents, finding the fish and adapting your presentation to the day's conditions.

Litlaá and Skjálftavatn

Species: sea trout, brown trout and Arctic char.

Skjálftavatn, or Earthquake Lake, was formed after the earthquakes in Kelduhverfi in the mid-1970s, and its outlet, Litlaá, is one of the north's best-known sea trout fisheries. Sea trout run in early spring and through June, with another run in late summer and autumn. Hot springs keep the water from freezing, so the fish feed year-round. The season runs from April 1 to October 10, and fly fishing and catch and release are required here. Since you can combine lake and river fishing in the same day, the approach often shifts from hour to hour.

Lónsá on Langanes

Lónsá lies out on the Langanes Peninsula and offers a more remote experience, away from the more frequented areas. The distances, landscape and tranquility contribute just as much as the time spent by the water.

Þingvallavatn in the south

Species: trout and Arctic char.

If you want a chance at really big trout, we can include a few days at Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake, before you fly home. It’s home to Ice Age trout that can grow larger than in almost any other water.

Which water is right for you?

• Dry-fly trout fishing: Laxá í Aðaldal and upper Mýrarkvísl.
• Arctic char: Mýrarkvísl with Langavatn, Reykjadalsá and Skjálftavatn. Read more in our guide to Arctic char fishing in Iceland.
• Sea trout: Litlaá.
• Really big trout: Þingvallavatn.
• Salmon: read our guide to salmon fishing in Stóra Laxá.

How we put your trip together

We don't work with a single fixed arrangement in Iceland. Instead, we choose the waters, accommodation, guiding and transport based on the season, target species, budget and how much service you want. This could mean a lodge with a guide and all meals, or a cabin, rental car and fishing on your own. Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll plan your trip from there.

Read more about fly fishing in Iceland

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to the waters in northern Iceland?

We book flights to Akureyri from Stockholm, Copenhagen or Oslo, and onward transfers or rental cars to the waters, depending on the arrangement.

When should you go?

The season runs from April to October. Summer is best for dry-fly fishing for trout, sea trout run in spring and autumn, and in Mýrarkvísl, Arctic char enter the river from late July.

Can you fish several waters on the same trip?

Yes, it's often the best way to experience northern Iceland. We’re happy to combine different waters and species on the same trip.