Svarfaðardalsá has its source on Heljardalsheiði, an ancient route between Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður. It is a typical drainage river, cold with variable water levels and often glacial in the summer. Numerous tributaries fall into Svarfaðardalsá and the main one is Skíðadalsá, which is also a fishing river. These are basically sea char rivers, but there is a considerable amount of Brown trout in the lower areas. The fishing area is about 35 km, divided into 5 beats each with two rods. The most popular time are the first two weeks in August, but then the char migration is usually at its peak. It can be a great fun fishing sea char in Svarfaðardalsá and then it comes as a pleasant surprise in trout fishing. Half days are sold in the river. The average catch the last 10 years is about 630 char, but probably the registration is deficient.