Iceland - When and where to fish

When to fish

Given Iceland's northerly location the salmon fishing season is a relatively short one.

The earliest rivers open on 1st June and the latest close in mid-October, it is also Icelandic law that no river can be open for salmon fishing for more than 3½ months. Hence the earliest opening Atlantic salmon rivers are closed by mid-September.

To get the best out of your visit it is imperative that where there are guides provided, their advice is taken as this will help all levels of anglers.

The guides know their waters intimately, the pools holding fish any given time or water height and which flies to use to eke out that salmon of a lifetime - priceless information.

Sea Trout in Iceland

Those, who have never landed a sea trout, should seriously consider this possibility for fishing in the late summer and early autumn. The sea trout season starts in April with September and October as the prime time.

Where to fish

With nearly 100 salmon fishing rivers in Iceland and most of those allowing between 4 and 20 rods to fish per day, there is a lot of fishing to be had in Iceland, but without the feeling of ever being cramped for space.

In common with many other parts of the world, Atlantic Salmon catches have been improving in Iceland in recent years and in 2008 approximately 82,000 were caught on rod and line.

Most of the fishing comes with accommodation included in the price and most of the accommodation is in "full service" or in self catering lodges, and these are both seriously equipped types of accommodation with kitchens, living rooms en-suite bathrooms, saunas etc.

The full service lodges normally include breakfast, lunch and dinner but anglers would be required to bring along their own after fishing beverages - though soft drinks, coffee and tea are included.

The northern and eastern rivers are home to large multi-sea winter salmon and fish over twenty pounds are taken every year on most rivers. These salmon rivers are not for the faint hearted and require that anglers be competent and confident waders and be able to wield double handed Spey rods

The rivers of the west and south west benefit from the Gulf Stream currents and offer substantial runs of salmon, predominantly grilse. These rivers have very large runs of grilse during July and August, with many of the pools being full of bars of silver straight off the tide.

Iceland's Sea trout fishing

Iceland's sea trout fishing is somewhat neglected and overlooked and the serious game angler does this at his peril as the sea trout fishing to be found in Iceland has no equal anywhere else in the world.

Until relatively recently, very few people have realised the great potential of the Icelandic rivers. As more people become aware of this great fishing, interest has gradually been increasing. Despite this, permits are still very reasonably priced. Self-catering accommodation in a fishing lodge is normally included in the price.

Among the best sea trout rivers one can mention are Tungulækur, Geirlandsá, Grenlækur, Tungufljót and Vatnamót. These rivers are primarily sea trout fishing rivers supporting small stocks of salmon and char.

Whilst Icelandic summers are generally warm by day, weather conditions can change quite rapidly. Therefore it is prudent to prepare for inclement weather and take warm clothing, rainwear and a wind proof jacket. And most importantly, please remember to disinfect your tackle before or upon your arrival into Iceland.

Sea trout occur in rivers all around Iceland, but are most common in the south east and west. The biggest fish are to be found in the south east, often up to 10 pounds and occasionally sea trout up to 20 pounds.