Þingvallavatn – National Park

Lake Þingvallavatn is in a descend land that extends from Langjökull south to Hengil and from Botnssúlar in the west to Lyngdalsheiði in the east. Þingvallavatn is the largest lake in Iceland about 84 km² and its surface is about 100 meters above sea level. The maximum depth of the water is 114 meters and therefore it reaches below sea level. The lake has 3 species of freshwater fish, out of the 5 found in Iceland, brown trout, Arctic char and stickleback. It is believed that these three species of fish were all trapped in the lake following the last Ice age when land rose at the southern end of Þingvallavatn. About 9/10 of the inflow of water into Þingvallavatn travels underground through cracks to the lake. One tenth is surface water that comes from various streams and small rivers, the largest of which is Öxará. Angling may only be done from land and the use of boats is prohibited. There is very good char fishing in May, June, and July, but the best chances of catching trout are late at night. There is very good char fishing in May, June, and July, but the best chances of catching trout are late at night.