West - Rangá - Veiðiheimar

South Iceland

Fishing season

20 June – 19 October

Baits allowed

Flies

Maximum fishing rods

16 rods

Fishing limits

4 fish per rod/day

Accomodation options

Angling lodge

Guidance

Available

Accessibility

Family friendly, Easy access, Requires permission, SUVs only

Price range for fishing rods

For the full day

35000 ISK to 220000 ISK

What can be fished

Salmon

Description

River West Rangá is one of the best-known Icelandic salmon rivers. There are various fishing spots in the river and much of the fishing takes place in beautiful surroundings. The largest catch was in the summer of 2008 when 14,315 salmon were landed. This is by far the largest known catch on a rod in a salmon river in Iceland to date. West Rangá originates in Rangárbotnar at about 200 m above sea level and is one of the largest spring fed rivers in the country. It merges with Þverá about 10 km from the sea and after the rivers combine their name is River Hólsá. Unlike most other salmon rivers, the water level is very stable, and the river is rarely colored, even though there is a lot of rain. The average catch for the last 9 years is almost 7000 salmon.

Accommodation & Facilities

Angling lodge

There is a magnificent fishing lodge by Ytri Rangá. It has 18 double rooms, an elegant dining room, a lounge, and a well-equipped kitchen. Accommodation is included with the fishing from July 6th to September 22nd.

Fishing rules

All female salmon, 70 cm and larger, must be released and preferably into salmon crates, which are located by the river at each beat. Anglers receive salmon fillets from the river keeper for each female that is placed in a crate. All trout must be released.

Whole days are sold, from morning to evening, in the beginning of the season and until July 6th and from the September 25th to the end of season. In between, days are sold, from noon – noon.

Fly fishing only is the rule for most of the season, but from September 7th fishing with worms and spinners is allowed.