Þingvallavatn – National Park

South Iceland
Photo credit: Þ.Blöndal
Calendar

Fishing season

20 April – 15 September

Bait

Baits allowed

Flies, Worms, Spinner
Stop

Fishing limits

No quota
Information

Guidance

Not available
Accessibility

Accessibility

For beginners, Family friendly, Accessibility for the disabled, Easy access, Requires permission
Dollar

Price range for fishing rods

For the full day
2000 ISK to 2000 ISK

What can be fished

Description

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.

Accommodation & Facilities

Camping

Camping can be paid for at the service center. Camping is only allowed in specially marked campsites. It is not permitted to use caravans or caravans at the camping site in Vatnskot.

Fishing rules

Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are kindly requested to be tidy in the area and not leave rubbish behind. Off-road driving is not allowed. The fishing card is valid for the land of the national park, except for the land of Kárastaðir. All fishing from boats is prohibited by the cardholders of the Fishing Card. Children under the age of 14 fish for free accompanied by a cardholder. Due to research on brown trout in Þingvallavatn, anglers are asked to check whether the brown trout that is caught is marked. The marks are on the back of the trout below the dorsal fin and can be simple spaghetti marks or electronic marks. At the beginning of the fishing season, when trout are mostly caught in the national park, they must be released after the encounter and in fact anglers are encouraged to do so during other parts of the fishing season as well. Instructions regarding released trout can be seen by clicking here. If tagged fish is landed (not released), it’s possible to get information on how to behave by clicking here.

Directions

It is allowed to fish for the land of the national park from Arnarfell to and including Leirutá

Services nearby

Nearest cities

Selfoss: 37 km, Reykjavík: 66 km, Reykjanesbær: 107 km and Akureyri: 390 km

Restaurants

Leirar, National Park Service Center t: +354 482-2660, thingvellir.is/thjonusta

Attractions

Þingvellir; Old-Althingi, Almannagjá gorge, Þingvallar Church and Silfra snorkeling

About the fishing license

Lake Þingvallavatn is a part of the Fishing Gard

Day passes are available at the service center by the lake, where old-age and disability pensioners can get a fishing permit for the summer free of charge

Schedule

Location

South Iceland

Popular flies


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